Beginning today, May 21st, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will start issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to sponsors who submitted “Interest to Sponsor” forms for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).
Over the next two weeks, IRCC will send out 35,700 invitations, aiming to approve 20,500 complete applications for permanent residence (PR). ITAs will be sent to the email address provided by the sponsors when they initially submitted their “Interest to Sponsor” forms.
Eligibility Criteria for Receiving a 2024 PGP Invitation
To be eligible for an invitation under the PGP this year, sponsors must:
- Have completed an Interest to Sponsor form on IRCC’s website in 2020 (without receiving an ITA in 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023);
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act;
- Be 18 years of age or older;
- Reside in Canada (proof of status will be required during the Interest to Sponsor phase);
- Exceed the minimum necessary income level for this program (income of both the sponsor and spouse can be included if married or in a common-law relationship) and provide proof of income to IRCC; and
- Sign an undertaking to:
- Financially support the sponsored person for 20 years (starting when they become permanent residents). Applicants in Quebec will need to sign an undertaking for 10 years;
- Repay any social assistance benefits paid to the sponsored family members (if applicable) for a period of 20 years.
Additionally, if the sponsor resides in Quebec, an extra “undertaking” must be signed with the province of Quebec.
Steps to Follow After Receiving a PGP Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Upon receiving an ITA, sponsors must respond by submitting their application before the deadline specified in the invitation email. Application fees, typically starting at $1,205 CAD, must also be paid at this stage.
IRCC advises sponsors to carefully read the complete instruction guide and thoroughly complete the application package. A complete application must be submitted to IRCC by the stated deadline. Incomplete, late, or incorrectly completed applications can lead to complications or outright refusal, depending on the circumstances.
Applications will be returned if they:
- Are incomplete;
- Are missing fees;
- Are submitted after the deadline specified in the ITA email;
- Were submitted without receiving an ITA;
- Contain information that does not match the details provided in the “Interest to Sponsor” form.
Applications must be submitted through the Permanent Residence portal, or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal if a representative is assisting the sponsor.
Steps for Sponsors Who Do Not Receive an ITA This Year
This year marks the fourth consecutive year that the immigration department will only consider PGP candidates from the 2020 intake.
However, Canada’s immigration system offers an alternative route for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their parents and grandparents: the Super Visa.
The Super Visa is a temporary resident program that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit and live in Canada temporarily. Since June 2022, the Super Visa permits family members to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time without needing to renew their status. Super Visa holders can also apply for a visa extension of up to two years, allowing for a single stay of up to seven years.
While the Super Visa only grants temporary resident status, it is an accessible pathway for bringing family members to Canada. It is available year-round with no cap on the number of applications processed by IRCC.
Contact us for more information.
