The Government of Canada has announced that the Canada Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program, also known as the PGP, will reopen in late January 2019. Canada Parents and Grandparents Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence in Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has also informed in a Tweet that the details of the next opening of PGP will be released in the coming weeks.
In 2018, the Canada Parents and Grandparents Program was reopened to accept Expressions of Interest on January 2. This year, IRCC is planning to process up to 20,000 applications through PGP. Invitations to Apply will be issued to 20000 eligible sponsors on a first-come, first-served basis.
Canada Parents and Grandparents Program: Replacing lottery system
IRCC has replaced the much controversial lottery system for Canada Parents and Grandparents Program with the first-come, first-served approach for accepting applications. The lottery system was withdrawn after it attracted large-scale criticism for being unfair towards those who have been waiting for years to sponsor their parents and grandparents. According to IRCC, the first-come, first-served system has made the application process more flexible.
In order to be eligible to sponsor your parents or grandparents, you must be:
- At least 18 years old
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Able to meet minimum income requirements
When your parents or grandparents come to Canada under your sponsorship, you will have to support them financially and make sure that they are not compelled to depend on social assistance from the government.
Those interested in sponsoring their parents or grandparents must first submit an Interest to Sponsor form with the IRCC. When the program opens, the authorities will invite the eligible persons who first submitted their Interest to Sponsor form to apply for the sponsorship.
Do you want to sponsor your parents or grandparents for Canada PR? Contact us for any assistance or guidance.