Commencing on May 21st, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will initiate the issuance of invitations to apply (ITAs) to sponsors who have submitted "Interest to Sponsor" forms under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).
IRCC aims to distribute 35,700 invitations over a two-week span, starting from May 21st, with the objective of approving 20,500 complete applications for permanent residence (PR). The ITAs will be dispatched to the email address provided by the sponsor during the initial submission of their "Interest to Sponsor" form.
Who qualifies for an invitation to the 2024 Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)?
To be eligible for an invitation this year, sponsors must:
- Have completed an Interest to Sponsor form on IRCC's website in 2020.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Reside in Canada (proof of status is required during the Interest to Sponsor phase).
- Meet the minimum necessary income level for the program (if married or in a common-law relationship, the combined income of both the sponsor and spouse can be considered) and provide income proof to IRCC.
- Sign an undertaking:
- To financially support the sponsored individual for 20 years (30 years for Quebec applicants).
- To reimburse any social assistance benefits paid to the sponsored family members (if applicable) for 20 years.
What steps should be taken after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the PGP?
Upon receiving an ITA, sponsors must submit their application by the deadline specified in the invitation email. Application fees, typically starting at $1,205 CAD, must also be paid at this stage.
IRCC advises sponsors to thoroughly review the instruction guide and complete the application package accurately. It's crucial to submit a complete application before the deadline to avoid complications or potential refusal.
Applications will be rejected if they are:
- Incomplete.
- Missing fees.
- Submitted after the deadline stated in the ITA email.
- Initiated without receiving an initial ITA.
- Contain information inconsistent with the "Interest to Sponsor" form.
Applications must be submitted through the Permanent Residence portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal if a representative is involved.
What options are available for sponsors who do not receive an ITA this year?
This year continues the trend of considering only PGP candidates from the 2020 intake.
However, Canada's immigration system offers an alternative path to reunite Canadian citizens and permanent residents with their parents and grandparents: the Super Visa.
The Super Visa is a temporary resident stream allowing parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit and reside in Canada temporarily. Since June 2022, the Super Visa permits family members to stay in Canada for up to five years without renewal. Additionally, holders can apply for a two-year visa extension, enabling a single stay of up to seven years.
Though the Super Visa grants temporary resident status, it serves as an accessible means to bring family members to Canada, available year-round with no application limit processed by IRCC.
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