IRCC has just announced it is beginning to issue Parents and Grandparents Program 2021 invitations.

A total of 30,000 Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be invited to sponsor their parents and grandparents. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will issue the invitations over the coming two weeks. Invited sponsors have 60 days to submit their completed sponsorship applications to IRCC.

Get a Free Legal Consultation if you Receive a PGP 2021 Invitation

Sponsored parents and grandparents will become Canadian permanent residents and enjoy all the associated benefits including free health care. Receiving a PGP invitation is difficult given the strong demand among Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their loved ones. In the past IRCC has had around 100,000 sponsors visit its website to submit interest to sponsor forms within minutes of launching the forms.

This time around, IRCC allowed sponsors to submit interest to sponsor forms on its website between October and November 2020. It then held a lottery in January 2021 to invite 10,000 sponsors. It is drawing from the same pool of 2020 candidates to issue the 30,000 invitations in this round. IRCC has not yet specified how it will manage the PGP in 2022.

Get a Free Legal Consultation if you Receive a PGP 2021 Invitation

What should I do if I receive a PGP 2021 invitation?

It is crucial you ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the PGP 2021.

You must be at least 18 years old, and a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or be status First Nations.

You must also demonstrate to IRCC you meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI). You will need to submit your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) notices of assessment for the 2020, 2019, and 2018 tax years.

Assuming you meet the criteria and wish to go ahead with the process, you will have 60 days to submit your completed sponsorship application including fees to IRCC.

Residents of Quebec are required to demonstrate they meet the province’s sponsorship income requirements over the past 12 months.

IRCC and Quebec both require that sponsors sign an undertaking agreement. Sponsors are legally obliged to repay any social assistance claimed by their parents or grandparents during the undertaking period. The period is 20 years for non-Quebec residents and 10 years for residents of Quebec.

Get a Free Legal Consultation if you Receive a PGP 2021 Invitation

What if I don’t get invited?

The Super Visa is an alternative to those who want to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can submit a Super Visa application to IRCC. The Super Visa allows multiple entries into Canada over a 10 year period.

Learn More about the Parents and Grandparents Super Visa

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