Canada delays 2020 parents and grandparents immigration program

Shelby Thevenot, Kareem El-Assal
Updated: Aug, 21, 2023
  • Published: March 27, 2020

Canada is delaying the opening of its 2020 Parents and Grandparents Program due to its ongoing efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The launch of the call for expressions of interest to apply for the popular program was anticipated in the coming weeks, according to an Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) media release.

The temporary deferral of the call for applications is not expected to impact when parents and grandparents will arrive in Canada, and IRCC will still process these applications.

The Parents and Grandparents Program enables Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to obtain permanent resident status.

The program is so popular that the federal government has sought various ways over the past decade to manage its intake since 2011.

Sponsor a loved one for Canadian immigration

Last year, some 100,000 Canadians expressed their interest in sponsoring a parent or grandparent even though there were only 21,000 permanent residence spots available.

Similarly, Canada is targeting the admissions of 21,000 immigrants under the PGP each year through its 2020-2022 Immigration Levels Plan.

IRCC has tried numerous approaches to manage the PNP in recent years and continues to identify ways to refine its approach. These have included using a first-come, first-served model, whereby it processed applications in the order in which they were submitted. It has also tried a lottery model, whereby sponsors were randomly selected.

It remains to be seen what the PGP intake process will look like once IRCC launches it later in 2020.

Do you have more questions on coronavirus and Canada immigration?

Check out our FAQ page

© 2020 CIC News All Rights Reserved

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Top Stories
Express Entry’s targeted occupations: how many agricultural and agri-food workers does Canada really need?
The trends of immigrant employment in Canada
Canada’s international student population continues to soar
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Study
Canada’s international student population continues to soar
student studying
Senators release new report on improving the integrity of Canada’s international student program
Four members of Canada’s Senate released a report on September 20, outlining how to strengthen the integrity of the country’s international student program.
Study in Canada: What we know about IRCC’s proposed Trusted Institutions Framework
trusted institutions framework study in canada
IRCC extends transition period for distance learning measures to December 2023
Student completing distance studies online.
Link copied to clipboard