Sponsorship Guide for Parents and Grandparents in Canada

I want to see my parents and grandparents again! This is how many foreigners in Canada express themselves when they have spent a long time without feeling the warmth of their loved ones, but do not worry anymore, because IRCC reopened the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program (PGP) this year 2024, and now it is a matter of getting well organized to successfully bring them. How? Through good immigration planning, well guided and advised.

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This is today's topic for our Immiland blog , here I share guidelines for applying to the PGP, knowing who is eligible, how the program works and more. Let's get started!

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What is the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program (PGP)?

The PGP is a program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to immigrate to Canada and if they are approved under this program, then they receive Canadian permanent residence and can then eventually apply for citizenship.

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This program is the best there is to bridge the gap between family longing and the real possibility of embracing parents and grandparents again on Canadian soil.

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Who is eligible for the PGP?

Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Aboriginal persons who meet the following basic requirements will be eligible:

• They are 18 years of age or older.
• They reside in Canada. 
• They have the financial capacity (demonstrable) to support their parents and/or grandparents for 20 years. 
• They are willing to sign a commitment to financial support (applicants in Quebec must sign the commitment for 10 years).

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How does PGP work?

The PGP operates on a lottery system (open only once a year, for two weeks), meaning that candidates from the eligible pool are randomly selected when Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence are distributed. As mentioned at the beginning, IRCC reopened the program and from May 21, 2024 began randomly inviting potential sponsors who submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020 (2020 only), and are the candidates to apply for the 2024 intake. 

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While IRCC has completed sending out the expected 35,700 invitations over the course of those two weeks, the government's goal is to accept up to 20,500 complete applications. 

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Steps to apply for PGP

Immigration programs to Canada usually require the completion of an interest form. The applicant must:

• Wait for the official invitation.
• Prepare documentation with proof of family relationship, proof of income, application forms and photographs.
• Complete the forms correctly and provide accurate information.
• Pay the applicable processing fees.
• Submit the completed application through the Permanent Residence Portal.

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Important: Once you apply for the PGP, you must stay informed about the status of your application and follow the instructions provided by IRCC. If the time limit is exceeded after several months, we recommend contacting a Canadian lawyer or regulated consultant specializing in immigration processes. Immiland has a specialized team and can guide you. Schedule with a regulated consultant here.

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Immiland Canada Recommendations

At Immiland, we remind you that before beginning an immigration process, you should always seek the advice of a certified, Spanish-speaking immigration consultant in Canada, because this will ensure that you follow an appropriate procedure without errors that could be very costly. 

Don't be discouraged if you were not selected for the PGP, here are alternatives, for example:

• Also consider the super visa . This allows parents and grandparents to visit their Canadian relatives for up to five consecutive years without needing to renew their visitor status. They can also enter Canada multiple times over a period of up to 10 years.
• Also remember that you must demonstrate financial solvency to support your parents or grandparents.
• Please note that having a good credit history and solid legal status in Canada are key to the government and its visa selection or approval criteria.

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So, if you miss your loved ones because they are far away from Canada, know that you can consider the PGP or the super visa. Let us help you in the process and schedule your appointment.

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I'll be with you here for today. Thank you for reading. If you need help with this process, Immiland Canada can advise you on an immigration consultation that will give you access to comprehensive services for immigrants. 

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Want to know more about how to immigrate to Canada? Follow us on Instagram and visit our website to discover everything Immiland has to offer! https://www.immilandcanada.com/

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With love,

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Immiland Canada

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