Canada announces opening of its PGP immigration program for 2020

The reunification of families has always been welcomed by Canada and the IRCC has concentrated on immigrant families being reunited in Canada. The consequence of this initiative is that more than ten thousand supported family members are accepted as permanent residents to come to Canada each year.

The majority of family members who receive these visas are typically spouses and partners with parents and grandparents of PR visa holders and Canadians being the other major group. The immigration program for this is the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) which was introduced in 2011 and has been modified over the years.

Recently the IRCC announced that it will soon be possible for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents to immigrate to Canada.

 The IRCC reported that between October 13 and November 3, it will recognize the application forms expressing interest in sponsoring for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Though these are not applications for the PGP itself, it is an opportunity for individuals to demonstrate their interest in sponsoring their family members to immigrate to Canada.

The IRCC will then pick possible sponsors randomly and give them an invitation to submit an application. Applicants selected will have up to 60 days to apply their completed application for sponsorship.

In 2020, the IRCC will consider up to 10,000 applications. A new intake of interest to sponsor will be opened in 2021 to accept a total of 30,000 new applications. The registration process was supposed to begin earlier this year but was postponed due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Announcing this decision, Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said in a tweet, “Now, more than ever, family reunification is an important component of Canada’s immigration system. It plays a key role in attracting, retaining and integrating the best and the brightest from around the world.”

PGP application process

Step 1: Potential sponsors indicate their interest

Between 13 October and 3 November 2020, IRCC will post the interest to sponsor form on its website for 3 weeks.

 To ensure the process is fair, a random selection process will then be used and all potential sponsors have an equal opportunity to send an interest to sponsor form and a chance to be invited to apply.

Step 2: Invitations to apply will be sent to potential sponsors

All submissions will be checked, duplicate entries excluded and the forms randomized by IRCC.

 In 2020, there will be a single round of invites, with a limit of 10,000 applications approved for processing. IRCC issued invitations are non-transferable.

Step 3: Applications are submitted

Potential sponsors who obtain an invitation to apply will get 60 days to submit their completed application.

Eligibility criteria for sponsors under the PGP program

According to the government's website, Canadian nationals, permanent residents, and registered First Nations can sponsor their own parents or grandparents.

Sponsors must be 18 years of age or older, residing in Canada, and must have enough financial resources to help the individuals they choose to sponsor.

For 20 years, beginning when they become permanent residents, they need to have enough financial resources to sponsor supported family members.