October 5th 2020 – Today Canada announced the opening of the parents and grandparents (PGP) family sponsorship program. This is further in support of the government’s focus on family reunification programs during the pandemic. 

Canadians and Permanent Residents who would like to sponsor their parents and grandparents to come to Canada may do by submitting an interest to sponsor form online between 12 p.m. EDT on October 13, 2020, to 12 p.m. EST on November 3, 2020. 

The 2020 Parents and Grandparent Sponsorship intake will accept a maximum of 10,000 applications. In 2021, sponsors can apply with a new interest to sponsor form as IRCC will be accepting a total of 30,000 new applications. 

Process for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship

The process involves a random selection of the potential sponsors by IRCC to ensure a fair and just process for all applicants. Once an applicant is selected, they must submit a full application for parent or grandparent sponsorship within 60 days. 

Temporary Policy for Income Requirement

COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many sponsors financially, which would normally make them ineligible for parents and grandparents sponsorship. Given the exceptional circumstances, IRCC is introducing a temporary public policy that will reduce the income requirement for the 2020 tax year to the minimum necessary income, instead of the minimum necessary income plus 30%.

Family Reunification is a Priority for 2020

The government knows how important it is for families to be together, particularly during difficult times. The launch of the 2020 Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program builds on the government’s initiatives to prioritize the approval of 49,000 family sponsorship applications by December 31, 2020, as well as last week’s announcement of a process to reunite more families and approve compassionate cases within the current border restrictions.

What is the Family Sponsorship Program?

If you are a citizen or permanent resident in Canada over the age of 18, you can sponsor a parent or grandparent to come live with you in Canada.

An applicant must meet the following requirements in order to sponsor a parent or grandparent in Canada:

• At least 18 years old; and
• A Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada

As a sponsor for your parents and grandparents, you must:

• Meet certain income requirements;
• Support that person and their dependants financially;
• Meet the minimum necessary income level for this program by submitting notices of assessment issued by the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) in support of their sponsorship;
• Sponsors must also demonstrate they have met the minimum necessary income level for three consecutive years. If married or in a common-law relationship, the income of both persons can be included; and
• The sponsor and the sponsored relative must sign a sponsorship agreement that commits the sponsor to provide financial support for the sponsored person for up to 20 years.

Sponsoring a parent or grandparent is a serious matter that requires the sponsor to take responsibility for the parent or grandparent they are sponsoring from the moment they set foot in Canada. The sponsor must be able to financially support their parent or grandparent and cater to their basic needs such as housing and food. As a sponsor, it is essential that you ensure that your sponsored family member does not claim social assistance from the government.

Are you looking to sponsor your parent or grandparent? We can help you submit an interest to sponsor, and prepare the subsequent sponsorship application. Family sponsorship applications can be complex and must be completed with care. Hiring a professional ensures you create a strong application and are able to reunite with your family members.