Recently, in the Canada Gazette, a statement was published that shook many! It was a new ministerial directive which halted the Parents and Grandparent’s Sponsorship applications under the Family Class Stream. As per the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), applications submitted before 1st Jan, 2025, will be processed, but any application submitted after that will not be accepted.
What is ‘Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship’ (PGP) Programme?
The PGP program was designed to foster family reunification for immigrants in Canada who have become permanent residents or citizens. It allows citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents and grandparents to enter Canada. This program has gained immense popularity because it provides a realistically achievable path to permanent residency, along with access to healthcare, the right to work, social services, and protection under Canadian law and the Charter of Rights and Freedom. Those sponsored also have the opportunity to eventually acquire Canadian citizenship.
Why has the Government paused receiving new applications?
The Canadian Government affirms its commitment to unify families remains strong even now. However, the processing of applications needs to be prioritized. In the 2024 annual immigration report of Marc Miller, the data revealed that over 40,000 parent and grandparent sponsorship application were still pending the end of 2023. This significant backlog has led to a halt in new sponsorships across various immigration streams. This suspension is expected to stay in place until the government provides further updates. Additionally, the new directive states that only a maximum of 15,000 applications made in 2024 through the family reunification program will be processed.
As per the new Immigration Levels Plan (2025 – 2027), the previous intake caps on permanent residents for 2025 and 2026 was set to be 500,000. But now these numbers have been reduced further to 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027. This change indicates the overwhelming demand in the immigration landscape of Canada, necessitating a temporary stop to accepting any new applications.
Processing times for sponsorship applications
The Parental and Grandparental Sponsorship Program operates under a lottery system due to its vast popularity. Potential sponsors are supposed to express their interest by submitting an “Interest to Sponsor” form. The IRCC will then randomly select a set number of individuals to submit a full application. Notably, the program has been closed to new sponsors since 2020, with the most recent batch of invitations issued in May 2024 based on interest forms from 2020.
During a two-week period starting May 21, 2024, IRCC sent out 35,700 invitations, targeting a goal of receiving up to 20,500 complete applications for the 2024 intake. This selective process underscores the very limited slots available in the program.
For those who are already in the sponsorship process, the waiting times can vary significantly. In most of Canada, excluding Quebec, the average processing time for PGP applications is approximately 24 months. However, in Quebec, applicants may face longer waits, up to 48 months, due to additional provincial requirements.
Alternative to the PGP sponsorship programs
While new permanent residency applications are on hold, parents and grandparents can still apply for the supervisa, a long-term, multiple-entry visa.
- Canada Super Visa – This visa allows parents and grandparents to visit their children or grandchildren in Canada for up to five years per visit, with multiple entries over a period of up to 10 years. If you applied before June 22, 2023, the length of stay will be determined by the officer at the border upon your entry into Canada. However, if you applied after this date, you are eligible for a continuous five-year stay. It is important to ensure that your health insurance and passport are up to date to gain access to this visa.
- Temporary Visitor Visas – Also known as a temporary resident visa, this visa is beneficial for those wishing to stay for six months or less. It is an official document attached to your passport, indicating that you have met all the requirements to travel to Canada. Upon arrival at the port of entry, the border services officer may permit you to stay for a duration shorter or longer than six months. If this is the case, they will note the departure date in your passport. You may also be issued a visitor record, which indicates the date by which you must depart.
- Humanitarian Visa Permit – This visa allows individuals to enter Canada if they are in danger and require protection. Visas are issued at the discretion of the government, whether in the applicant’s home country, a third country, or at the border. This type of visa is granted to those who are unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin due to a fear of persecution based on race, religion, group membership, nationality, or political beliefs. Applicants can apply for permanent residence after they arrive in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, although certain criteria must be met.
How can Our Immigration Lawyers help you?
If you’re someone who is steering through the complexities of Canadian immigration and find it to be an exhausting task? Worry not! Our experienced immigration lawyers are here to assist you. Whether you’re looking at alternative visa options or need guidance on the application processes, we can provide you the guidance you seek. Call us today at 905-405-0199 to schedule a consultation and take the next step towards your family reunification in Canada.
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