Canada faces surge in demand for parent and grandparent sponsorships

The demand for sponsoring parents and grandparents in Canada far exceeds the available admission targets, as revealed in a recent internal memo obtained by CIC News from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Historically, IRCC would receive interest-to-sponsor submissions annually, randomly select applicants based on application targets, and invite a limited number to apply.

In 2022, IRCC shifted its approach by accepting 15,000 complete applications from prospective sponsors selected from the pool of interest-to-sponsor forms submitted in fall 2020. However, the influx of applications has surpassed admission targets, resulting in a current inventory of nearly 100,000 individuals in the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP).

For 2023, the PGP plans to allocate 28,500 admissions for parents and grandparents, with projections of growth to 32,000 in 2024 and 34,000 in 2025 and 2026 according to the Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026. Despite these increases, the existing pool of applicants suggests that no new applicants are needed in 2023, leading to an approximate waiting period of two to three years for newly received applications.

To address processing times, the IRCC memo recommends aligning intakes with admission targets through a multi-year Intake Plan, similar to the approach used in Express Entry. While intakes remain at the discretion of the immigration minister, the goal is to achieve stability in processing times by managing inputs and outputs effectively.

Following the memo, IRCC implemented the PGP 2023 process, sending invitations to apply between October 10th and 24th, targeting 15,000 complete applications from the 2020 pool of interested eligible sponsors.

An alternative to the PGP is the Super Visa, offering an extended stay for parents and grandparents. The Super Visa allows a visit of up to five consecutive years without renewing visitor status and is available year-round. It is particularly suitable for individuals from countries requiring a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for entry into Canada.

To be eligible for a Super Visa, applicants must be parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, provide a letter of invitation from their child or grandchild, and demonstrate financial support, household details, and proof of medical insurance. As of December 7, 2022, the requirement for fully paid insurance at the time of Super Visa application is no longer mandatory. Additionally, the child or grandchild must prove they meet the income requirements identified by the Low-Income Cut Off (LICO) to ensure financial support for family members. Proof may include Notice of Assessment (NOA), T4/T1, employment documents, and bank statements.