Every family has a unique tapestry woven with stories from every corner of the world. For many families, coming together in Canada and sharing a common future is a dream that is deeply rooted. The Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program provides a ray of hope in turning this dream into reality. Imagine sharing life's big moments together, from the first day of school to heartfelt family dinners, all while surrounded by Canada's stunning landscapes.
At Ansari Immigration, we are not only focused on processing paperwork; we are committed to making dreams come true. One of our clients, Maria, was reunited with her mother last year through this program.
Maria says, "The joy of having my mom close, especially during life's ups and downs, is priceless. Ansari Immigration guided us through every step, making the process feel like a breeze."
In this blog post, we will answer some of the most common questions about the parents and grandparents sponsorship 2023 and provide you with some useful tips and resources to prepare for the 2023 intake. Read on to learn more!
Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship 2023 Q&A Section:
Q: What is the PGP and how does it work?
A: The PGP is a federal immigration program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are at least 18 years old to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence. The PGP aims to reunite families and support the social and economic well-being of immigrants and Canadians.
The PGP works in two stages. First, you need to submit an online interest to sponsor form to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) during a specified period, usually in the fall. This form is not an application, but a way to show your interest and eligibility to sponsor your relatives. IRCC will then randomly select and invite a certain number of potential sponsors to apply for the PGP. In 2023, IRCC plans to invite 24,200 potential sponsors from the pool of interest to sponsor forms submitted in 2020.
Second, if you receive an invitation to apply, you need to submit a complete application package to IRCC within 60 days. This package includes forms, fees, documents, and evidence to prove your relationship with your relatives, your income, and your ability to support them financially. IRCC will then assess your application and make a decision. If your application is approved, your relatives will receive a confirmation of permanent residence and can then travel to Canada.
Q: Who can I sponsor under the PGP?
A: You can sponsor your parents and grandparents, as well as their spouses or common-law partners, and their dependent children under 22 years old. You can also sponsor your orphaned siblings, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren who are under 18 years old and unmarried. However, you can only sponsor one set of parents or grandparents at a time.
Q: What are the eligibility requirements for sponsors and sponsored persons under the PGP?
A: To be eligible to sponsor your parents and grandparents, you must:
be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
be at least 18 years old
live in Canada
meet the minimum income requirement for the three tax years before the date of your application
sign an undertaking agreement to provide financial support for your relatives and repay any social assistance they receive for 20 years
To be eligible to be sponsored by your child or grandchild, you must:
be the parent or grandparent of the sponsor, or their spouse or common-law partner, or their dependent child under 22 years old, or their orphaned relative under 18 years old and unmarried
pass a medical exam and a criminal background check
not be inadmissible to Canada for security, criminal, health, or other reasons
Q: How do I calculate the minimum income requirement for the PGP?
A: The minimum income requirement for the PGP is based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30%, which is a measure of the minimum income needed to meet the basic needs of living in Canada. The LICO varies depending on the size of your family unit, which includes yourself, your spouse or partner, your dependent children, and the relatives you want to sponsor. You can find the LICO table for the PGP on the IRCC website.
To calculate the minimum income requirement, you need to add up the LICO amounts for each family member, including yourself, and multiply the total by 1.3. For example, if you want to sponsor your parents and you have a spouse and two children, your family unit size is 5. The LICO amount for a family of 5 is $49,106. Therefore, the minimum income requirement for you is $49,106 x 1.3 = $63,838.
You need to prove that you met the minimum income requirement for the three tax years before the date of your application. You can do this by providing your notices of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or other documents that show your income.
Q: How long does it take to process a PGP application?
A: The processing time for a PGP application depends on several factors, such as the volume of applications, the completeness and accuracy of the application, the country of origin of the sponsored persons, and the availability of medical and security checks. According to IRCC, the current average processing time for a PGP application is 20 months2. However, this is only an estimate and it may change over time.
Q: What are the fees for the PGP application?
A: The fees for the PGP application include the processing fee, the right of permanent residence fee, and the biometrics fee. The processing fee is $550 per person for the sponsor and each sponsored person who is 22 years old or older, and $150 per person for each sponsored person who is under 22 years old. The right of permanent residence fee is $500 per person for the sponsor and each sponsored person who is 22 years old or older, and it is refundable if the application is refused or withdrawn. The biometrics fee is $85 per person for the sponsor and each sponsored person who is 14 years old or older, up to a maximum of $170 per family. You can pay the fees online using a credit card or a debit card.
Tips for a successful PGP application:
Start preparing early. Gather all the required documents and information before you submit your interest to sponsor form or your application package. Make sure you have valid passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, proof of income, and other documents that show your relationship with your relatives and your eligibility to sponsor them.
Follow the instructions carefully. Read the instruction guide and the document checklist for the PGP application and follow them step by step. Fill out the forms completely and accurately, and sign and date them where required. Provide clear and legible copies of your documents and translate them into English or French if they are in another language. Pay the correct fees and submit your application online before the deadline.
Check your email and online account regularly. IRCC will communicate with you by email or through your online account. Make sure you check your email and online account frequently and respond to any requests or updates from IRCC as soon as possible. If you change your email address, phone number, or mailing address, update your contact information online or notify IRCC by mail.
Hire a professional Vancouver immigration consultant. The PGP application process can be complex and challenging, especially if you are not familiar with the immigration laws and procedures. Hiring a professional and experienced Vancouver immigration consultant like Ansari Immigration can make a big difference in your chances of success. We can help you with every aspect of your PGP application, from assessing your eligibility and preparing your documents, to submitting your application and following up with IRCC. We can also advise you on other immigration options and pathways, such as the PNP, Express Entry, student visas, work permits, and more.
