Exciting News for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) 2024

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) on May 21st, 2024. The PGP program permits Canadian residents and permanent citizens to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency in Canada. The IRCC plans to send 35,700 invitations to potential sponsors to approve 20,500 complete applications for Canadian permanent residence. This is a fantastic option for you to reunite with your loved ones through the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP).

Who is eligible for the next round of the PGP Program?

The next round of invitations is specifically targeting individuals who submitted their profiles in 2020, as part of the 2020 intake of the PGP. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the PGP has drawn profiles from the 2020 pool, using a lottery-based system. Invitations will be sent directly to the sponsor’s email, as provided on the ‘interest to sponsor’ form. Sponsors are strongly advised to monitor their emails closely from May 21st, as all invitations are expected to be dispatched within approximately two weeks.

What is the procedure for accepting permanent residence through the PGP?

To accept permanent residence (PR) through the PGP, sponsors, and applicants must follow these steps.

• Make sure they meet all relevant eligibility criteria, including being eligible to sponsor, residing in Canada, providing financial support, and meeting minimum necessary income levels, etc.);
• Submit interest to sponsor form on IRCC’s website. To be eligible for the 2024 round, applicants must have presented an interest to sponsor form in 2020 and not have accepted an invitation in 2021, 2022, or 2023.
• (Once the PGP lottery reopens), check the email provided on the interest to sponsor form for an invitation—on the day of reopening and for the subsequent two-week period from May 21st after the lottery restarts and
• Once an ITA has been received, sponsors must submit their complete application form through the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Residence Portal by the deadline stated in the invitation email.

What is the PGP Program?

The PGP is a critical element of IRCC’s family reunification ambitions. It allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents (who meet the required eligibility criteria) to sponsor their parents or grandparents for Canadian PR. Successful sponsor applicants receive permanent residence upon landing in Canada.

Among other steps, sponsors must sign an undertaking saying that they will deliver for their parents and grandparents while in Canada for 20 years. Sponsors applying from Quebec must sign an undertaking for 10 years. The PGP asks applicants on a lottery base and only opens for application intake (and issues invitations) once a year.

What if you are not selected?

If you’re not selected for the PGP, IRCC conducts the Super-Visa pathway. This pathway allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for an extended visitor visa. Unlike the PGP, the Super Visa program runs year-round, presenting flexibility for sponsors and applicants. 

Authorized Super Visa applicants can stay in Canada for up to five years, with the option to extend for an extra two years. After their Super Visa status expires, they can reapply. IRCC aims to process all Super Visa applications within 112 days. Between 2022 and 2023, the IRCC department processed 67% of applications to this standard.

Sponsors and applicants for the PGP should review the eligibility requirements and confirm they meet all criteria before the program reopens. The Super Visa provides an alternative pathway for those desiring to reunite with family members who aren’t selected through the PGP lottery.

Expert Guidance from Regulated Canadian Immigration Advisers

Our team of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants is committed to bringing families together in Canada. We offer complete support throughout your Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) application procedure, ensuring you are well-equipped with the knowledge and resources to reunite with your loved ones. Take the first step towards achieving your family reunification plans by planning a consultation with us today.