According to a recent announcement, IRCC will begin reissuing invitations under PGP this month. Canada’s Parents and Grandparents program (PGP), which was closed last year, will reopen this month as the department is ready to send invitations to potential sponsors.

As per the information, IRCC confirmed that beginning May 21, 2024, it will send around 35,700 invitations. The department also hopes to approve around 20,500 complete applications.

IRCC Will Begin Reissuing Invitations Under PGP: Who is eligible for the next invitation round?

The immigration department has declared that it will invite candidates from the 2020 PGP intake. This implies that individuals who will receive invitations in the upcoming PGP invitation round must have submitted their applications in 2020.

Notably, this will be the fourth consecutive year that the Parents & Grandparents Program (PGP) will only consider applications submitted in 2020.

Under the PGP, IRCC will randomly invite applicants through a lottery system. The invitations will be delivered to the applicants using the emails provided on their application forms.

IRCC suggested sponsors check their emails beginning May 21. It has a plan to issue invitations within two weeks of this date.

Understanding the Process Of Receiving PR Through the PGP.

In order to receive Canada’s PR status through PGP, applicants must satisfy the following prerequisites: 

  • They must satisfy all relevant eligibility criteria of the PGP. This includes being eligible to sponsor, living in Canada, signing an undertaking, and fulfilling minimum necessary income levels, etc;
  • They must submit an interest to sponsor form on IRCC’s website. To qualify for the 2024 PGP invitation round, applicants must not have obtained an ITA in 2021, 2022, or 2023;
  • After the beginning of the 2024 PGP lottery, ensure to check the email provided on the interest to sponsor form for an ITA. It can be between the day of the reopening of PGP invitations and the next two-week period after it restarts and
  • Once a sponsor receives an ITA, they must submit their application through the PR Portal or the Representative Residence Portal (if using an authorized representative). They must ensure that they submit it by the deadline stated in the invitation email.

After the application is submitted, IRCC processes it within 112 days. Between 2022 and 2023, the IRCC department processed 67% of applications within this service standard.

Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

The Parents & Grandparents Program (PGP) in Canada is an immigration program that enables Canadian citizens and PRs to sponsor their parents or grandparents for Canadian PR. They must meet the necessary eligibility criteria. PGP is a part of Canada’s family reunification initiatives and is one of the primary pillars of IRCC’s mission. 

Parents and grandparents who enter Canada under this program obtain PR status after they land in Canada. 

Sponsors have to sign an undertaking promising to provide for their parents and grandparents in Canada for the next 20 years. PGP sponsors who apply from Quebec will have to sign an undertaking for ten years.

Notably, PGP issues invitations to applicants on a lottery basis, and it only opens once a year for application intake and issuing invitations.

What are the other pathways if you aren’t selected under PGP?

If you were not selected under the PGP, the Super-Visa pathway is an alternative way to sponsor your family. IRCC runs it and permits Canadian citizens and PRs to sponsor their parents & grandparents to visit Canada on an extended visitor visa. This means that family members of a sponsor get a visa to visit Canada under the Super-Visa pathway, in contrast to PR under the PGP.

Applicants under this program can stay in Canada for up to five years in a single visit. Also, they can extend their stay for up to two years. Applicants can also reapply for their super-visa after their status expires.

Unlike the PGP, IRCC operates the Super Visa program throughout the year, and sponsors can apply at any time. Notably, Super Visa applications and PGP have the same service standard. The IRCC department aims to process all complete applications within 112 days.

Are you willing to move to Canada but have concerns about the process and pathways? Feel free to connect with our experienced immigration experts for help at NavaImmigration. You can also send us an email at [email protected]