Canada’s Family Class immigration category allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parent(s) or grandparent(s) through the Parent and Grandparent Program.
Sponsored parents and grandparents become permanent residents of Canada, with all the benefits that come with it. This includes the right to live and work in Canada without restriction on location, time, or sector, as well as access to publicly-funded health care and other services. Ultimately, sponsored parents and grandparents may become Canadian citizens.
Under the government of Canada’s multi-year immigration plan, around 20,500 new permanent residents were admitted through the Parent and Grandparent Program in 2019. This figure may also include applications submitted prior to 2019.
In 2019, immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aimed to invite enough sponsors to receive 20,000 complete applications. However, the intake was criticized for extremely limiting technical factors.
Eligibility of the Sponsor
Must meet or exceed the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) ie Low Income Cut Off (LICO) plus 30% for the 3 previous years as is the case with sponsoring Parents and Grandparent. Sponsors must provide Notices of Assessment (NOA’S) from the CRA to IRCC as proof that they meet these requirements.
Must sign and Undertaking that commits the Sponsor to provide financial support. Should the sponsored Parents or Grandparents be in receipt of any social assistance then the sponsor is responsible for repayment of these benefits paid to the sponsored family members for 20 years from the date that they obtain Permanent Residence for Canada.
An online form is available which filled by the interested sponsor with the start of each new year during the month of January. The lucky ones are invited to send in their full application to sponsor their parents and grandparents. They only have 90 days to submit their application to the IRCC for compliance.
