Canada plans to issue at least 40,000 invitations to permanent residency through their 2021 Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).
Last January 5, Canada held the lottery for the 2020 PGP, invitting 10,000 applicants hoping to sponsor family members for immigration. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have now been issuing invitations in the last week, over a 10-day period.
While 10,000 invitations is a notable year for the Parents and Grandparents Program, the IRCC’s initial plan was to invite 40,000 applicants across 2020 and 2021. However, this plan was delayed due to disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Despite the initial disruption, Canada was able to push through with the 2020 PGP, albeit later than expected, hence the lottery only occurring this year.
With the 2020 PGP lottery finished and invitations being sent out, Canada will likely begin plans to conduct the 2021 lottery soon.
Eligibility Criteria for the 2020 Parents and Grandparents Program
If you would like to sponsor a family member through the 2021 PGP, you must be able to meet the following requirements:
- You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- You are at least 18 years of age;
- You currently reside in Canada;
- You exceed the minimum necessary income level
- You are willing to sign an undertaking:
- to financially support the sponsored family members for over 20 years
- to repay any social assistance paid to the sponsored family members for over 20 years
Interested sponsors must submit notices of assessment from the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) to prove that they can meet the PGP’s income requirements. Sponsors outside Quebec must demonstrate their income for the past 3 years, while sponsors inside Quebec need only demonstrate 1 year of income.
Spouses or common-law partners may also co-sign the undertaking in order to meet the income requirement for the PGP, but they must also meet the eligibility criteria and must also adhere to the 20-year period (10 years if you reside in Quebec) stated in the undertaking.
The undertaking is required to prove that the sponsor is fully capable of financially assisting sponsored family members.
Last October, Canada considerably eased income requirements in light of the pandemic. IRCC now requires that sponsors meet the Minimum Necessary Income. Prior to the pandemic, MNI plus 30 percent was required to apply for sponsorship.
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