According to the IRCC, the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is on track to help a little more than twice as many eligible family members immigrate to Canada.
During the first nine months of 2022, Canada accepted almost 21,000 new permanent residents through the Permanent Resident Program (PGP). This trend suggests that Canada will welcome approximately 29,000 new permanent residents by the end of the year.
“Family reunification is an essential part of Canada’s immigration system.”
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser
That is an increase of almost 16,900 compared to last year, representing a 144.2% growth year over year.
Effects of the Pandemic on Immigration to Canada
Immigration to Canada fell by almost 46% in the first year of the COVID pandemic. In 2019, Canada welcomed 341,175 new permanent residents into the country. That number was reduced to only 184,590 people in 2020.
The same pattern was followed under the PGP, which plummeted 52.5% in 2020 compared to 2019. However, PGP’s growth in the following year, 2021, could not keep up with the rest of the programs of immigration. In 2021, the total immigration to Canada soared by a whopping 120% to reach a record-breaking 406,040 new permanent residents. The PGP, however, saw only a 12.3% rise. This was due to the inherent lag time in PGP immigration because the children and grandchildren have to first immigrate to Canada before being able to sponsor their parents and grandparents.
2022 however, is the year where PGP is finally catching up to the total immigration growth to Canada. Almost every province in the country is showing gains in the number of permanent residents it expects through PGP this year.
Provinces Seeing the Biggest Gains in PRs
Unsurprisingly, the most populous provinces in Canada are seeing the largest increases in PGP invitations. Ontario is on track to receive 8,633 more new permanent residents through this program, an increase of 158.7%. Similarly, British Columbia is expected to welcome almost 3,000 new residents, an increase of 156.7%.
The other provinces of Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan are also expected to increase the number of residents invited through PGP by 51.2%, 172.9% and 141.4%, respectively.
How the PGP Admission Works
Citizens and permanent residents planning to sponsor a relative must submit an “Interest to Sponsor” form. Canada’s immigration department then puts eligible forms into a pool and runs a lottery system that makes random draws. The department then issues Invitations to Apply(ITA) to the people picked from the draw. The sponsors and their parents then have 60 days to fill out and submit a full application for review.
The sponsors must have the following conditions:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
- Live in Canada.
- Have the financial ability to support those they want to sponsor by having to meet the income requirements for the previous three (3) years (can include a co-signer in the application)
- Agree to financially support the parent or grandparent for 20 years once their application is approved
* Sponsors who reside in Quebec must meet the Quebec minimum immigration requirements.
Current Processing Time for PGP Applications
At the moment, the processing time for sponsorship applications for PGP is 37 months.
How mana immigration Can Help
At mana immigration, we have a team of experienced Canadian Immigration Regulated consultants who are well-versed in the requirements and process for this program. We can assist you in gathering the necessary documentation, completing the application, and providing guidance.
So whether you’re looking to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada permanently or want to ensure that your application is as strong as possible, we’re here to help. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist you with the Parent and Grandparent Permanent Residency Program.
Mana immigration can also help you apply for a Super Visa if you want to temporarily bring your parents or grandparents to Canada. With the Super Visa, eligible parents and grandparents can visit their family in Canada for up to two years without renewing their status.
