The 2021 Parents and Grandparents lottery (PGP) will start the week of September 20, 2021. IRCC will send invitations to potential sponsors who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020. Invitations To Apply (ITA) will go out for 2 weeks starting on September 20, 2021. On March 27, 2020, IRCC announced a delay in opening the 2020 Parents and Grandparents Program "due to the current focus on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic."
The PGP lottery is for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to move to Canada as permanent residents and may later apply for Canadian citizenship.
IRCC's goal is to receive up to 40,000 completed PGP applications in 2021 - 10,000 from the 2020 intake process and 30,000 from 2021. The 30,000 candidates will be selected from applicants who submitted an interest to sponsor form during the 3 week submission period of October 13 through November 3, 2020.
“The importance of family has never been clearer than during the pandemic. That is why we are delivering on our commitment to help more families reunite in Canada. By strengthening the Parents and Grandparents Program, inviting a record number of sponsors to apply, and by adjusting our requirements to adapt to the current times, we are once again proving our commitment to helping Canadian families stay together, and thrive together.”
– The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P.,
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
2021 Parents and Grandparents Lottery Sponsorship Qualifications
In announcing the PGP 2021 lottery, IRCC announced the following sponsor qualifications which take into financial considerations of the Covid pandemic:
- Potential sponsors will have their income assessed for tax years 2020, 2019 and 2018. This is the same as those who applied as part of the 2020 intake.
- For the 2020 tax year, the income requirement will continue to be the minimum necessary income.
- Employment Insurance benefits and temporary COVID-19 benefits, such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, will be included towards the sponsor’s income.
PGP Alternative: Parent and Grandparent Super Visa
Individuals who have a child or grandchild in Canada, and who wish to spend an extended period of time with their families in Canada, also have the option to apply for the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa. While they will not have access to health insurance or be eligible for employment, a Super Visa will permit them to stay in Canada for up to two years. A Super Visa is only available to someone who is either the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada. The parent and grandparent super visa is a temporary resident permit that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit Canada for up to 2 years per visit, and visit multiple times over 10 years without renewing their status.
FREE CHECKLIST: ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CANADA
PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS SUPER VISA
To apply for a Super Visa you have to be able to:
- demonstrate the relationship claimed
- have a letter of invitation
- meet other criteria, including income, medical coverage and more
Do You Want To Sponsor Your Parent or Grandparent to Move to Canada?
For more information on the PGP lottery and how to sponsor your parent or grandparent to move to Canada, contact Ackah Business Immigration Law today at (403) 452‑9515 Ext. 100 or 1-800-932-1190 or email us directly.
