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The Government of Canada has begun to issue invitations to interested sponsors to apply to the Parents and Grandparents Program. Under the program, Canadian citizens and permanent residents above the age of 18 can sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence in Canada.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is issuing invitations in the same order that it received Interest to Sponsor forms during the submission period held on January 28. The first invitations were sent on April 24th and according to IRCC, it will take a few days to send invitations to all potential sponsors.
The invitations will be sent to the email address given in the Interest to Sponsor form. IRCC has advised the sponsors to check their junk mail folder also, as there is a possibility that the invitations may end up there.
The sponsors who receive invitation can submit the complete sponsorship application within 60 days from the date of their invitation. The IRCC’s target is to accept 20000 complete applications to its Parents and Grandparents Program for 2019. IRCC may conduct more rounds of invitations if necessary to meet this target.
How to apply to Parents and Grandparents Program?
The interested sponsors who receive invitation from the IRCC shall submit two complete applications–one to become a sponsor and the other from their parents/grandparents for permanent residence in Canada. Both these applications must be submitted at the same time. The applicants must also make sure that they are using the latest application forms.
Eligibility criteria for sponsors
In order to be eligible to become a sponsor under the PGP, the applicant must be a Canadian citizen and permanent resident. They must be at least 18 years of age and be residing in Canada. They must exceed the minimum necessary income level and submit proof of income to the IRCC.
The applicant who wishes to sponsor their parents/grandparents under the program must also sign an undertaking to financially support the sponsored for 20 years and to repay any social assistance benefits paid to the sponsored for a period of 20 years.
If the applicant is residing in Quebec, they must sign an additional “undertaking” with the province of Quebec.
For more information on Canada Parents and Grandparents Program and options to bring your parents/grandparents to Canada, contact us now!
