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Invitations to the 2022 Parent and Grandparent Program were released on October 11. Instead of opening PGP to new applicants, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sent invitations to apply to interested potential sponsors who applied in 2020, but were not selected in the 2020 or 2021 PGP. Reinforcing Canada's commitment to family reunification, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship said:
“Family reunification is an essential part of Canada’s immigration system. Building on recently announced enhancements to the parents and grandparents super visa, opening a Parents and Grandparents Program sponsorship intake and accepting up to 15,000 applications in 2022 demonstrates the government’s commitment to reuniting families while strengthening Canada’s immigration system.”
Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2022-2024 has a goal to welcome 25,000 new permanent residents per year through the Parent and Grandparent Program.
2022 Parent and Grandparent Program
The plan for the 2022 PGP program includes:
- 23,100 Invitations to Apply will be sent over a 2-week period starting October 13 - November 3, 2022, to candidates who applied for PGP in 2020 but were not selected for the 2020 or 2021 programs.
- 15,000 applications will be randomly chosen from completed submissions.
- Interested candidates have 60 days to reply using the online Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal.
- Due to the pandemic, IRCC will use a lower income requirement for sponsors.
- The minimum necessary income for 2021 and 2020 will be the low-income cut-off for applicable family size (and not the earlier cut-off plus 30%).
- Employment Insurance and COVID-19 benefits such as CERB may be included in the income for 2020 and 2021.
Alternative to the Parent and Grandparent Program: Super Visa
If you are not accepted to the PGP, and you have a child or grandchild in Canada and wish to spend an extended period of time with your family in Canada, you also have the option to apply for the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa. While you will not have access to health insurance or be eligible for employment, a Super Visa will permit you 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 5 years per visit, and visit multiple times over 10 years without renewing their status.
Enhancements to the super visa that went into effect in the summer of 2022, allow super visa holders to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time (from a previous 2 year maximum), with the option to extend their visit by up to 2 years at a time without leaving the country.
Super Visa Eligibility
To qualify for a Super Visa you must be able to:
- prove the claimed relationship
- have a letter of invitation
- meet other Super Visa criteria, including income, medical coverage and others
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Were You Invited to Apply for the 2022 Parent and Grandparent Program?
Don't Wait: Contact Ackah Business Immigration Law immediately for assistance in processing your Parent and Grandparent Program application, or to discuss alternative options if you were not selected in the PGP draw. Calgary immigration lawyer Evelyn Ackah, Founder and Managing Lawyer at Ackah Business Immigration Law, has practiced Canada and U.S. NAFTA immigration law for over 20 years. Ackah Law exclusively practices immigration law, helping our clients cross borders seamlessly and smoothing the way for business and personal immigration and travel.
With offices in Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver, contact Ackah Law today at (403) 452-9515 or email contact@ackahlaw.com.
