Parent Grandparent Program: In a delightful turn of events for many Canadian families, IRCC announced a long-awaited update to the Parent Grandparent Program (PGP) informing that they will be sending out 35,700 new invitations in 2024. IRCC has an ambitious goal of accepting up to 20,500 complete PGP applications in 2024. This major update promises to breathe new life into the dreams of family reunification for numerous Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Here’s what you need to know about the latest changes and how they might affect your chances of bringing your parents or grandparents to Canada.
What is the Parent Grandparent Program (PGP)?
The PGP is a program that allows Canadians (Citizens and Permanent Residents) to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence in Canada. This program not only allows families to grow closer but also strengthens the cultural and familial bonds that form the mosaic of Canadian society. Eligible sponsors through the PGP have the opportunity to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada, where they will enjoy the full benefits of permanent residency including the ability to work, access to healthcare, and the ability to apply for Canadian citizenship after fulfilling residency obligations.
To participate in PGP, sponsors must have submitted their interest-to-sponsor forms back in 2020. Those who are selected through random draws receive an opportunity to submit a formal PGP sponsorship application. In essence, the PGP is a lottery-based program, enabling you to apply only if you receive an Invitation to Apply as a result of a random selection.
How many PGP applications did IRCC accept in the previous years?
As we navigate through the evolving landscape of the Parent Grandparent Program (PGP), it’s essential to understand the quotas set by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for each intake year. Here’s a breakdown of the number of Invitations issued by IRCC for recent PGP intake years:
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2023: 24,500 invitations and a target to receive 15,000 completed applications;
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2022: 23,100 invitations and a target to receive 15,000 completed applications;
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2021: 34,500 invitations and a target to receive 30,000 completed applications;
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2020: 13,400 invitations and a target to receive 10,000 completed applications.
These figures provide insight into the demand and capacity of the PGP program over recent years, aiding prospective sponsors in understanding the competitive landscape and planning their application strategies accordingly.
What is the quota for the Parent Grandparent Program in 2024?
Starting this May 21, 2024, IRCC will begin a new round of invitations for the Parent Grandparent Program (PGP). This will involve reaching out to potential sponsors who have previously submitted their interest-to-sponsor forms back in 2020. These invitations will be rolled out over a span of approximately two weeks, marking a significant opportunity for those who have been waiting to reunite with their family members.
In 2024 IRCC will be inviting a whopping 35,700 applications through the Parent Grandparent Program. IRCC is also expecting to receive 24,500 completed applications from this PGP 2024 draw.
The increase to 35,700 invitations in 2024 and a target of 24,500 completed applications is a notable rise from all previous years, reflecting IRCC’s commitment to facilitating family reunification more efficiently. This is a significant boost for those who have been part of this lengthy process since 2020 but have not yet had the chance to move forward.
Keep an eye out for the Invitation to Apply for Parent Grandparent Program – you may be a lucky one!
As the PGP invitation process is set to commence soon, all potential sponsors must keep a vigilant watch on their emails, including the spam folder, to ensure no communication from IRCC is missed. With the application deadline typically set towards the end of the year, timely action is essential.
Upon receiving an ITA for the Parent Grandparent Program in 2024, the next steps involve a meticulous application process, which includes:
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Sponsor Application: You’ll need to submit a detailed application proving your eligibility and financial capability to sponsor your relatives.
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Permanent Residence Application: Concurrently, an application for the permanent residency of your parents or grandparents needs to be filed.
Applicants should prepare for a thorough documentation process, ensuring all information is accurate and up-to-date to avoid any delays.
With the intricacies of the PGP’s eligibility criteria and application process, it can sometimes be daunting to ensure all requirements are met and documents are properly submitted. Given these complexities, consulting with a Canadian immigration lawyer can be a game-changer. Our team of Canadian Immigration Lawyers at Holthe Immigration Law is ready to help you navigate through the application process smoothly, ensuring that you are well-prepared to meet all the requirements for the Parent Grandparent Program. Book a consultation to discuss your PGP sponsorship application now.
