Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program Set to Reopen this Fall
On September 8, 2023, Canada reaffirmed its commitment to family reunification through the Parents and Grandparents Program, with a focus on helping Canadian citizens and permanent residents bring their loved ones to live and work in Canada. Here’s what you need to know:
Program Reopening: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the reopening of the Parents and Grandparents Program in October 2023
Historic Admissions: Canada has seen historically high admissions of parents and grandparents under the Multi-Year Levels Plan, emphasizing its dedication to reuniting families
Application Numbers:IRCC will accept up to 15,000 complete applications for sponsorship this year
Invitations to Apply:On October 10, 2023 IRCC will start sending invitations to apply to 24,200 potential sponsors, with the goal of receiving 15,000 complete applications. Invitations will be sent over two weeks
How does IRCC select a sponsor? To manage the backlog of 2020 submissions, IRCC will select potential sponsors at random from the existing pool rather than opening a new interest-to-sponsor form. This is the same approach taken for the 2021 and 2022 intakes.
Electronic Applications: Applicants invited to apply in 2023 can submit their applications electronically through the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal. This modernization effort aims to streamline and expedite the application process
Super Visa Option: For those not invited this year, parents and grandparents can apply for a
SUPER VISA
. This multiple-entry visa is now valid for up to 10 years, with the possibility of extending stays for up to 5 years at a time without leaving Canada
Intake Reports: For more information on previous application intakes, you can refer to the recently published intake report on the IRCC website, titled “ The Parents and Grandparents Program: Intake Report 2014 to 2019.” A report covering the 2020 to 2022 application intakes will be available by the end of the year
Canada’s commitment to reuniting families remains strong, and these updates aim to facilitate the process for sponsors and their loved ones. Stay tuned for further developments and details on the program’s reopening.