Understanding IRCC’s Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP): A Closer Look
Each year, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offers the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), allowing Canadian sponsors (permanent residents and citizens) to bring their older loved ones to Canada. However, the selection process through a special lottery system often leaves potential sponsors puzzled. Recently, more insights have emerged, shedding light on IRCC’s selection methodology.
How Does IRCC Select Sponsors?
For recent PGP intakes, IRCC has employed a randomized system to select potential sponsors from interest to sponsor forms submitted back in 2020. An IRCC agent uploads selected email addresses to a bulk email tool, which sends out Invitation to Apply (ITA) letters sequentially. This invites potential sponsors to submit a sponsorship and permanent residence application package.
In 2024, IRCC sent out 35,700 ITA letters, aiming to accept 20,500 complete applications. The higher number of ITAs accounts for the possibility that not all recipients will proceed with their application.
Key Details for the 2024 PGP Intake
Eligibility and Documentation: Sponsors invited for the 2024 intake must include a copy of the “status in Canada” document submitted with their 2020 interest to sponsor form. If there are any discrepancies, they must provide an explanation and evidence to demonstrate consistency with the 2020 form.
Processing Priority: IRCC processes sponsorship applications on a first-in, first-out basis. This means that new applications for the 2024 intake are queued behind existing applications, ensuring a fair and systematic order that prioritizes those who have waited the longest.
PGP’s Growing Demand and Future Outlook
2024 marks the fourth consecutive year that IRCC has drawn from the 2020 pool of interested sponsors. Despite the program’s growing admissions allocation (set to increase from 32,000 in 2024 to 34,000 in 2025 and 2026), demand consistently exceeds available slots. This has led to criticisms of IRCC’s family reunification efforts, especially given the extensive backlog.
For instance, after the 2023 intake, 108,000 interest to sponsor forms remained in the backlog. This backlog means IRCC could potentially spend the next three years working through the 2020 pool of sponsors, despite the increasing number of new sponsors.
Conclusion
IRCC’s PGP offers a vital opportunity for family reunification in Canada, but navigating the selection process can be challenging. Understanding the lottery system and the requirements can help potential sponsors better prepare for future intakes. As the program grows, keeping abreast of IRCC’s methods and timelines will be crucial for those looking to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada.
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