New Opportunities for Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship in 2023

In October 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will begin accepting up to 15,000 complete applications for the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship program. Invitations to apply will be sent to 24,200 potential sponsors starting October 10, 2023, to receive 15,000 completed applications.

These invitations will be distributed over two weeks, without opening a new interest-to-sponsor form. Instead, the IRCC will select from the remaining submissions from 2020. This method has been used since 2021. Therefore, individuals who submitted an interest-to-sponsor form in 2020 but have yet to receive an invitation in 2021 or 2022 should check their email accounts.

Eligible invitees must submit their applications electronically through the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal.

Eligibility Requirements for Sponsoring Parents and Grandparents

To be eligible to sponsor your parents and grandparents for Canadian permanent residency, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
• Have sufficient financial resources to support the family members you wish to sponsor, with valid proof of income for the last three years, meeting IRCC financial requirements.

Income Requirements for Canada PGP 2023

The income requirements vary based on the size of the family. Here is a breakdown of the required income for 2022, 2021, and 2020:

Alternative Option: The Super Visa

For those unable to participate in the sponsorship program since 2020, the Super Visa remains a viable option. The Super Visa is valid for up to 10 years and allows multiple entries, permitting holders to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time. Additionally, they can extend their stay by up to two years without leaving the country.

These updates make it easier for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to spend extended time with their parents and grandparents.

IRCC’s Announcement and Processing Times

On September 8, IRCC announced that 24,200 invitations would be sent out starting October 10, 2023, targeting 15,000 completed applications for the year.

Currently, the processing time for parent and grandparent sponsorship applications averages 23 months across Canada, except for Quebec, where it takes about 45 months.