Are you planning to sponsor your parents or grandparents to come and live with you in Canada? If so, you should know that important changes have just been announced for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). These new guidelines, published in the Canada Gazette, suspend the acceptance of new sponsorship applications as of January 1ᵉʳ, 2025.
Let's dive into the details and explain what this means for you and your family.
Why this break in the program?
The Canadian government, through the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, has decided to temporarily suspend the processing of new sponsorship applications for parents and grandparents. Why is this? The objective is clear: ensure better management of application volumes and meet commitments regarding family reunification.
In practical terms, this means that no new sponsorship applications for this category will be accepted in 2025, unless new guidelines are issued. For this year, only applications submitted in 2024 that meet the defined conditions can be processed.
Who is affected by these instructions?
These new rules apply to :
- Sponsorship applications: These applications must have been submitted in 2024 and meet the precise criteria defined by the Ministry.
- Permanent resident visa applications: These applications, associated with sponsored parents and grandparents, will not be accepted if filed after January 1ᵉʳ, 2025.
What you need to know for 2025
If you submitted an Expression of Interest in 2020 and have been invited to apply in 2024, here's what you need to know:
- Application deadline: If you received an invitation in 2024, you had 60 calendar days to submit your application with all the required documents.
- Mandatory electronic format: Applications must be submitted online. An alternative option (paper, Braille or large print) is available only to those unable to use electronic tools for health reasons.
- Number of applications accepted : For 2025, 15,000 sponsorship applications received in 2024 will be processed.
If you have not submitted your application by 2024, or if you have not been invited, you will have to wait for a new process to be announced.
Why so many rules?
It may sound complex, but these conditions are designed to :
- Ensuring fair treatment of requests.
- Manage volumes to avoid excessive delays.
- Promoting family unity while respecting available resources.
What if your application is not accepted?
Unfortunately, any application that does not meet the criteria will be returned to the applicant, with a refund of the processing fee. In addition, applications based on humanitarian grounds will not be considered if they do not meet current instructions.
And after 2025?
Unless new guidelines are issued, the program will remain suspended for the year 2025. So it's essential to keep a close eye on updates from Canada's immigration department to find out when the process will reopen.
Need help understanding these changes?
With so many conditions and requirements, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. That's why working with a regulated Canadian immigration consultant can make all the difference. We have the experience and knowledge to guide you through every step of the process.
Here's how we can help:
- Analysis of your personal situation: Are you eligible? What are your options?
- Document preparation and submission: Make sure everything is in order the first time.
- Keeping track of deadlines and requirements: never miss a crucial step.
Super Visa: A temporary alternative to the PGP
Disappointed by the suspension of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)? Don't panic! There's an ideal alternative for reuniting your family in Canada: the Super Visa. To find out more, click on the link below to read the article on the Super Visa:
Read the article on Super Visa
Conclusion: Stay informed, get ready!
If you're planning to sponsor your parents or grandparents, it's crucial to understand the new rules and prepare accordingly. While these changes may seem daunting, there are always solutions, whether temporary or permanent.
Until the PGP is reopened, the Super Visa is an effective and affordable solution for reuniting your parents or grandparents with you in Canada. Don't let the suspension of the program put the brakes on your family reunification plans. Get ahead of the game and explore this alternative today.
Don't hesitate to contact us for a personal consultation. Together, we'll do everything we can to bring your family closer together.
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