Canada’s 2023 Program Reunites Parents, Grandparents with Families
Canada’s immigration framework places a strong emphasis on the reunion of families, and the government steadfastly supports Canadian citizens and permanent residents in their efforts to bring family members to Canada for residency and employment.
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) remains a cornerstone of this reunification effort and is poised for an expansive phase, with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) set to receive a substantial number of sponsorship applications in 2023.
A clear demonstration of IRCC’s dedication to this cause is the historic number of admissions for parents and grandparents under the Multi-Year Levels Plan. For the upcoming year, IRCC plans to process up to 15,000 completed sponsorship applications through the PGP.
The reopening of the Parents and Grandparents Program is scheduled for 2023, with the application process kicking off on October 10, 2023. The IRCC plans to issue invitations to 24,200 potential sponsors who have previously shown interest, to obtain 15,000 full applications. This invitation distribution is expected to occur over a fortnight.
To reduce the accumulation of previous years’ applications, specifically from 2020, IRCC will randomly choose potential sponsors from the existing pool for invitations, foregoing the opening of new interest-to-sponsor forms, a strategy consistent with procedures from 2021 and 2022. Individuals who expressed their interest in 2020 but did not receive an invitation in the subsequent two years should monitor their email for correspondence.
For individuals not selected for application this year but still hoping to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada, the super visa remains an alternative. It is now more accessible than before, and permits multiple entries over a decade, with the ability to remain in Canada for up to five consecutive years and the potential for further extensions.
In response to the backlog that increased dramatically in early 2021, the 2023 expansion of the PGP was conceived. A considerable shift in processing and completion rates for parent sponsorship applications was observed in January 2021, leading to an outstanding backlog of over 19,000 applications.
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As of September 2023, the processing duration for these applications averages 45 months in Quebec and 23 months in other provinces. The government’s dedication to bettering these processing times is unwavering, as seen on the official government website.
For a historical perspective, one can consult the “The Parents and Grandparents Program: Intake Report 2014 to 2019” available on the IRCC’s website, and anticipate a forthcoming report that will cover the years 2020 to 2022, expected before year’s end.
Eligibility Criteria for Sponsoring Parents and Grandparents:
Individuals wishing to sponsor their parents or grandparents for immigration must:
- Hold Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or be a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
- Have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Maintain a primary residence in Canada.
- Possess sufficient financial resources to provide for the needs of the sponsored parents or grandparents.
- Meet all additional criteria set forth by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and its accompanying regulations.
Application Process Overview
We will discuss the steps of applying in the following:
Step 1: Initiation: Invitation to Submit an Application
Selection for application invitations is conducted through a randomized process, targeting individuals who have previously expressed interest in sponsoring their parents or grandparents.
For the 2023 application cycle, invites were extended to potential sponsors from the 2020 interest to sponsor form pool.
Invitations totaling 24,200 were issued from October 10 to 23, 2023, to receive and process up to 15,000 complete applications.
Notification of invitation is via the email provided in the 2020 Interest to Sponsor form.
Email Address Changes
Should there be a change in your email since the 2020 submission, update your new email details using the ‘Find your lost confirmation number’ feature.
Step 2: Application Submission: Online Process
Upon receiving an invitation, the main applicant, or their delegate, must submit their application through:
- The PR Portal for individuals
- The Representative PR Portal for those with designated representatives
Each principal applicant must establish a unique portal account and digitally sign their application if multiple parents or grandparents are applying independently.
Applications for the 2023 cycle should only be commenced upon receipt of an invitation to ensure:
- Your application will not be rejected.
- Application fees will not be forfeited.
Step 3: Payment of Fees: Online Requirement
Total Fees: starting at $1,080
Fees include processing charges for sponsors and applicants, the right of permanent residence fee (upon application approval), and biometrics fee for identity verification. Additional costs may include medical exams and police certificates as needed.
Step 4: Online Application Finalization
Ensure that you:
- Have responded to all queries on the forms
- Have electronically signed your application
- Have included the processing fee receipt
- Have uploaded all required documents
- Have uploaded the 2023 invitation letter under “Required Documents” in your online application
Incomplete applications will prompt a request for additional documentation, with a 30-day window for submission to avoid application rejection.
Step 5: Post-Submission Requirements
The applicant must provide:
- Medical exams
- Police certificates
- Biometrics within 30 days of the instruction letter
In case there are any delays in providing biometrics, inform us through the web form and explain the need for additional time.
Canada’s decision to relaunch the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program in 2023 marks a commendable step towards reinforcing the fabric of family reunification. By providing citizens and permanent residents the opportunity to bring their loved ones closer, the Canadian government reaffirms its commitment to nurturing family values and promoting a multicultural society.
Initiate the sponsorship process today! Begin with our online assessment to start the journey of bringing your family members to Canada.
