In January 2019 IRCC launched new sponsorship program guidelines for Canadian citizens and permanent residents meeting the eligibility requirements who wish to sponsor their parents and/or grandparents to move to Canada. Parent Grandparent Program (PGP) admission levels will increase to:
- 20,500 in 2019
- 21,000 in 2020
up from 17,000 parents and grandparents admission limits to Canada in 2018.
How to Apply for the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program PGP
PGP online application criteria and deadlines are announced each year by IRCC. Canadian citizens or permanent resident who want to participate in the PGP must review the eligibility requirements to ensure they qualify for the program prior to submitting the Interest to Sponsor. The Interest to Sponsor form now requires sponsors to declare that they have the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) to support their parent or grandparent.
Relatives who are unable to apply for PGP sponsorship can apply for a 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.
If you are sponsoring a parent or grandparent, you must meet the MNI requirement for each of the three years immediately preceding the date of the application. The MNI is equal to the Low Income Cut-offs (LICOs) plus 30%, considering the member of family members for whom they will be financially responsible.
