Canada reopens Parents and Grandparents Program for 2024, but there's a catch

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will reopen the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) on May 21st, 2024. The IRCC plans to send out 35,700 invitations to potential sponsors with the goal of approving 20,500 complete applications for Canadian permanent residence.

However, there's a catch.

Who is eligible for the 2024 PGP?

The upcoming round of invitations will target candidates who submitted their profiles in 2020, as part of the 2020 intake of the PGP. This is the fourth consecutive year that the PGP is limited to profiles from the 2020 pool, following a lottery-based system. Invitations will be delivered via the email provided on the "interest to sponsor" form. Sponsors should check their emails frequently starting May 21st, with all invitations expected to be sent within roughly two weeks.

Process for Permanent Residence through the PGP

1. To obtain permanent residence (PR) through the PGP, sponsors and applicants must follow these steps:
2. Ensure Eligibility: Sponsors must meet eligibility criteria, including residing in Canada, being able to provide financial support, and meeting minimum income levels. They must also commit to providing for their parents or grandparents for 20 years (10 years in Quebec).
3. Submit Interest to Sponsor Form: To be eligible for the 2024 round, applicants must have submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 and must not have received an invitation in 2021, 2022, or 2023.
4. Check for Invitation: After the PGP lottery restarts, sponsors should check the email used on their interest to sponsor form for an invitation. Invitations will be sent over a two-week period from May 21st.
5. Submit Application: Once an invitation to apply (ITA) has been received, sponsors must submit their complete application through the Permanent Residence Portal (or the Representative Residence Portal, if using an authorized representative) by the deadline specified in the invitation email.

The PGP is a key element of IRCC's family reunification initiatives, allowing Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for Canadian PR. Successful applicants receive permanent residence upon landing in Canada.

What if you are not selected?
If you're not selected for the PGP, another option is 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, offering flexibility for sponsors and applicants.

Approved Super Visa applicants can stay in Canada for up to five years, with the option to extend for an additional two years. After their Super Visa status expires, they can reapply. IRCC aims to process complete Super Visa applications within 112 days, with 67% of applications meeting this standard between 2022 and 2023.

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