Updated on February 4, 2026 by canadian immigration experts
Sponsorship Of Parents And Grandparents News
In
January, we told our readers about an opportunity to submit interest to sponsor forms, if they wish to bring their parents and/or grandparents to Canada. We said that in two month Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) would randomly select 10,000 potential applicants, who would be given an opportunity to submit applications for sponsorship.
Time goes by quickly! On March 19, IRCC announced that the random selection process had completed, and potential sponsors had 60 days from the date of invitation to submit a complete application.
January, we told our readers about an opportunity to submit interest to sponsor forms, if they wish to bring their parents and/or grandparents to Canada. We said that in two month Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) would randomly select 10,000 potential applicants, who would be given an opportunity to submit applications for sponsorship.
Time goes by quickly! On March 19, IRCC announced that the random selection process had completed, and potential sponsors had 60 days from the date of invitation to submit a complete application.
In 2017, IRCC changed the procedures for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), obliging people who have Canadian citizenship and permanent resident status to submit an Interest to Sponsor form, as a first step.
This year, potential sponsors had a month to submit an Interest to Sponsor form – from January 2 to February 1. After the intake of applications was completed, IRCC randomly selected potential sponsors for the Parents and Grandparents Program.
Read more information about parents sponsorship in Canada.
On an encouraging note, IRCC said that if 10,000 complete applications are not received from the selected potential sponsors, it is possible that an additional round of invitations may be held later in 2018. In other words, if you haven’t received the invitation to apply for sponsorship just yet, there’s a chance that you still might receive it later.
Do two things to make sure if you have been selected. First, check your email Inbox and a Junk mail folder, should you have one. Also look up your assigned confirmation number and compare it to the published list of invitees. In this way, even if you haven’t received the letter yet, you may check if you have been selected.
If you have forgotten or lost your unique confirmation number, IRCC has made sure that you can submit a new online form and learn within 10 business days if you have been selected to apply.
In general, 2017 was an intensive year for PGP sponsorship. Firstly, IRCC increased the intake cap from 5,000 to 10,000 sponsors, which means that 5,000 more Canadian citizens and permanent residents can reunite with their families in Canada. 5,000 more happy families – that’s a great treat from IRCC!
Also, before 2017, the program functioned on a first-come, first-served paper-based basis, which created quite a backlog. By the end of 2016, the backlog amounted to 41,500 persons. Now, all new potential sponsors have equal chances to get the much-desired sponsorship selection. The double increase of the cap will also make sure that the backlog is much reduced.
As per Canada’s multi-year immigration plan, Canada plans to bring 61,500 new permanent residents under PGP in 2018-2020. So take heart, your parents and grandparents may well be among them!
We strongly encourage all potential applicants to review the eligibility requirements for the program before you decide to become a sponsor. One of the most important requirements is the income requirement. Your income must exceed the established threshold for the last three years. For example, if you want to bring your parents/grandparents (2 people) in 2018, the minimum income requirements is: 2017 – $39,813, 2016 – $39,371, 2015 – $38,618.
If you haven’t been selected for the program, don’t be discouraged. There’s still Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, which can bring your beloved ones to you for the extended stay of up to two years at their initial visit.
If you have been selected for Parents and Grandparents sponsorship in Canada or if you would like a Super Visa for your parents/grandparents, please write to us at support@katkova.com or call +1 (416) 661-4487 to learn how we can help in your specific situation!
