Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) will accept a record number of applications in the upcoming PGP 2021 lottery draw giving those who have submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020 an opportunity to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence in Canada.
Invitations to apply will be sent over the course of two weeks starting the week of September 20, 2021 inviting additional 30,000 applications on top of the 10,000 applicants already invited in 2020. For this year alone, a total of 40,000 PGP applications will be accepted.
“The importance of family has never been clearer than during the pandemic. That is why we are delivering on our commitment to help more families reunite in Canada. By strengthening the Parents and Grandparents Program, inviting a record number of sponsors to apply, and by adjusting our requirements to adapt to the current times, we are once again proving our commitment to helping Canadian families stay together, and thrive together”
– The Honourable MarcoMendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
To be eligible for this program, sponsors must be over 18 years of age and residing in Canada as a permanent resident or citizen. Sponsors must also prove that they have enough funds to support their family members they are responsible for. Furthermore, sponsors must meet certain income requirements.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the income requirement will continue to be the minimum necessary income and does not require the usual additional thirty percent to the minimum income. In addition, Employment Insurance benefits and temporary COVID-19 benefits can count towards the sponsor’s income.
In case sponsors have not been invited for this year’s Parents and Grandparents Program, Super Visa is another option that they can take. A Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to two years giving them the freedom to return to Canada for as long as the visa remains valid.
