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The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) 2023 lottery has begun on expected lines as reported by CanApprove in early September. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is sending invitations to apply to 24,200 interested potential sponsors. Randomly selected potential sponsors from the remaining pool of submissions from 2020 will receive the invitations. IRCC’s goal is to receive 15,000 complete applications.
The PGP is a popular program that allows Canadian citizens and PRs to sponsor their parents and grandparents. However, the lottery system fills only a limited number of spots from the large pool of applicants each year.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents must meet certain income and language requirements for sponsorship. They must also sign an undertaking agreement, which guarantees that they will provide financial support to their sponsored family members for a period of 20 years.
If you have submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 but have not received an invitation to apply for the PGP in 2021 or 2022, continue to check your email that you provided when you submitted your interest to sponsor form. IRCC will continue to send invitations to apply to randomly selected potential sponsors over the next two weeks, October 10 to October 23.
Background On The Parents and Grandparents Program
The PGP was established in 1994 to sponsor foreign parents and grandparents for Canadian permanent residency. The program is designed to reunite families and to support the integration of newcomers into Canadian society.
In recent years, IRCC has received a large number of PGP applications far exceeding the number of spots available. As a result, IRCC implemented a lottery system in 2011 to select sponsors from the large pool of applicants.
How The PGP Lottery Works
To enter the PGP lottery, Canadian citizens and permanent residents must submit an interest to sponsor form to IRCC. The interest to sponsor form is typically open for submissions for a few weeks each year. IRCC randomly selects potential sponsors from the pool. The selected potential sponsors are then invited to submit a complete application for the PGP.
IRCC will select another potential sponsor from the pool of applicants if the selected potential sponsor does not submit a complete application within the deadline, or if they are found to be ineligible for the PGP.
What To Do If You Are Invited To Apply For The PGP
You will receive an email from IRCC with instructions on how to submit your application. Typically, the PGP application process includes the following steps:
1. Paying a processing fee
2. Submitting a completed application form
3. Providing supporting documentation, such as proof of sponsorship eligibility, proof of income, and medical records
You will have 60 days to submit a complete application upon invitation. Once you have submitted your application, IRCC will review it and make a decision. You and your sponsored family members will be issued permanent resident visas upon approval.
The PGP application process can be complex. So, it is important to consult with a certified immigration consultant to ensure that your application is complete and accurate. Book your free appointment with CanApprove today!
