PARENTS SPONSORSHIP

Transitioning to a foreign land and leaving behind aging parents can be emotionally taxing. In alignment with its commitment to family reunification, the Canadian government extends its support through various immigration programs. While spousal sponsorship remains a prominent pathway, the sponsorship of grandparents and parents constitutes another significant avenue within the family class immigration stream.

In 2017, the Government of Canada introduced a novel application intake system for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented a random selection process, choosing 10,000 applications from Canadian citizens and permanent residents eager to sponsor their parents or grandparents for immigration to Canada. The 2018 version incorporated additional inquiries to aid potential sponsors in self-assessing their eligibility, particularly regarding the fulfillment of minimum income prerequisites.

Should the parents’ immigration program not be currently feasible, exploring temporary residence options such as the Super Visa and Visitor Visa might offer a viable alternative.

If you did not receive an invitation in 2020 to sponsor your parents or grandparents, you can submit an interest-to-sponsor form in 2021 and remain vigilant for any subsequent rounds of sponsorship invitations.

If you receive an invitation to sponsor your parents or grandparents, it is imperative to submit a complete application package before the specified deadline. Once you are approved as a sponsor and your parents pass the eligibility assessment, they can begin their journey to Canada.

Please be aware that you only have one opportunity to submit the application package. Given the prolonged processing times, it is crucial to avoid any errors that could lead to additional delays or, in some instances, application denials. To streamline the process and mitigate potential challenges, consider engaging an immigration consultant. We offer various service options, including in-office and online services, tailored to your specific needs. Choose from full representation to self-managed alternatives, such as hourly consultations, final reviews, and do-it-yourself packages.

WHO CAN SPONSOR PARENTS TO CANADA

IN ORDER TO SPONSOR, YOU MUST…

1. 1. be 18 years of age or older; 
2. 2. be a Canadian citizen, Registered Indian or permanent resident; 
3. 3. be sponsoring a member of the Family Class; 
4. 4. live in Canada; 
5. 5. sign an undertaking promising to provide for the basic requirements of the person being sponsored; 
6. 6. sign an agreement with the person you are sponsoring that confirms that each of you understands your mutual obligations and responsibilities; 
7. 7. prove that you have sufficient income to provide the basic requirements for your family members in Canada as well as the persons included in your sponsorship undertaking. You may also have a co-signer. 

YOU MAY NOT SPONSOR IF YOU…

1. 1. are in receipt of social assistance for a reason other than disability, 
2. 2. are in default of an undertaking, an immigration loan, a performance bond, or family support payments, 
3. 3. are an undischarged bankrupt, 
4. 4. were convicted of an offence of a sexual nature, a violent criminal offence, an offence against a relative that results in bodily harm or an attempt or threat to commit any such offences—depending on circumstances such as the nature of the offence, how long ago it occurred and whether a pardon was issued 
5. 5. are under a removal order, 
6. 6. are detained in a penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison