Parent Sponsorship is a pathway for Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their parents (and sometimes grandparents) to become permanent residents of Canada. This program is part of Canada’s family reunification policy, allowing families to live together in Canada. The Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program (PGP) enables Canadian citizens or permanent residents to reunite with their parents or grandparents by granting them permanent resident status in Canada.

Key Features of the Parent Sponsorship Program:

1. Eligibility to Sponsor a Parent: To be eligible to sponsor your parent (or grandparent), you must meet the following requirements:
   • Canadian Status: You must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
   • Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
   • Income Requirement: You must meet certain income requirements to prove that you can financially support your parent or grandparent after they arrive in Canada. The sponsor must show that they meet or exceed the Low Income Measure (LIM) guidelines.
   • Ability to Support: You must be able to prove that you will be able to provide for your parent’s basic needs (food, shelter, and clothing) for a period of 20 years. This is part of your undertaking to support your parent financially.
   • No Criminal History: You must not have a criminal record that would make you inadmissible to Canada, particularly for violent crimes or immigration violations (e.g., previous failed sponsorships).
   • No Social Assistance: You must not be receiving social assistance, unless it’s due to a disability.
2. Eligibility of the Parent or Grandparent:
   • The parent or grandparent you wish to sponsor must:
     • Be your biological parent or grandparent. They must be related directly to the sponsor (e.g., you cannot sponsor a parent-in-law under this program).
     • Be admissible to Canada (i.e., they must not have any serious criminal history or significant health issues that would make them inadmissible to Canada).
     • Be genuinely dependent on the sponsor for support (i.e., they are not capable of supporting themselves financially).
3. Financial Support Undertaking:
   • As a sponsor, you are required to sign a financial undertaking. This means you agree to support your parent or grandparent and ensure they do not require social assistance during the sponsorship period.
   • The financial undertaking for sponsoring a parent or grandparent is 20 years—which is significantly longer than the sponsorship period for a spouse or child (3 years).
   • You will need to demonstrate that you meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) or the Low Income Measure guidelines established by IRCC.
4. Proof of Relationship:
   • To sponsor a parent, you will need to provide proof of your relationship. This includes documents such as:
     • Birth certificates (to prove parent-child relationship).
     • Adoption certificates (if applicable).
     • Other official documents proving the legitimacy of the relationship.
5. Sponsorship Process: The process of sponsoring your parents or grandparents involves several steps:
   • Step 1: Check if You Are Eligible to Sponsor:
     • Ensure you meet all the requirements as the sponsor (age, citizenship, income, no criminal record).
   • Step 2: Invitation to Apply:
     • Unlike some other immigration programs, the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program operates with a cap on the number of applications that will be accepted each year.
     • IRCC runs a lottery each year to randomly select sponsors for the program. Once selected, you will receive an invitation to apply for the sponsorship.
   • Step 3: Submit the Sponsorship Application:
     • If you are selected to apply, you can submit your application to sponsor your parent or grandparent. The application will include:
       • Forms for both the sponsor and the parent/grandparent.
       • Proof of income (Notice of Assessment from the CRA, pay stubs, etc.).
       • Documents proving your relationship (birth certificates, etc.).
       • Police clearance (for the sponsored parent/grandparent, if applicable).
       • Medical examinations (for the sponsored parent/grandparent).
   • Step 4: Wait for Processing:
     • IRCC will process the application. This can take several months or even years due to high demand and the annual caps on the number of applications accepted.
   • Step 5: Receive a Decision:
     • If the application is approved, the parent or grandparent will be granted permanent resident status and can join you in Canada.
6. Processing Times:
   • Processing times for Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship can vary widely, but typically it can take from 24 months to several years. The delay is largely due to the high demand for spots in the program, and IRCC’s annual quota of applications.
   • The lottery system for selecting applicants also impacts processing times and the overall speed of the program.
7. Parent and Grandparent Super Visa:
   • If the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship program is closed or you do not meet the requirements, you can consider applying for a Super Visa.
   • The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to visit Canada for up to 2 years at a time without having to renew their visa. This is a temporary solution if you want to reunite with your parents or grandparents while waiting for permanent residency processing.

Key Points to Remember:

• Limited Annual Quota: The Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program has a limited number of spots available each year, and applicants must be selected through a random lottery. The number of spots available can vary each year.
• Financial Commitment: The sponsor is financially responsible for their parents or grandparents for 20 years, so it’s important to ensure you can support them without relying on social assistance.
• Application Complexity: This sponsorship process can be complex, requiring detailed documentation and proof of income. It’s important to submit a complete application to avoid delays or refusals.
• Super Visa as an Alternative: If you are not selected in the lottery or if there are long delays, consider applying for a Super Visa, which provides temporary relief to parents and grandparents.

Conclusion:

The Parent Sponsorship Program is an excellent opportunity for Canadian citizens or permanent residents to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada for permanent residence. However, due to the lottery system and long processing times, it’s important to plan ahead and stay informed about the program’s availability each year.

If you need help understanding the details of the program or navigating the application process, feel free to ask more questions! I’m happy to assist further.