Update: The details of the 2021 Parents and Grandparents Program have been released and are available here.

The original story continues below:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has scheduled a press conference in Surrey British Columbia featuring immigration minister Marco Mendicino who will provide an overview of the format of the PGP 2021 and the intake period.

Previous information by IRCC suggests this year’s PGP will follow a similar format as the PGP 2020. In last year’s PGP, IRCC opened an expression of interest window between October and November 2020. During this period, eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents completed an online application notifying IRCC they were interested in sponsoring their parents and grandparents to obtain Canadian permanent resident status.

Are you eligible for PGP 2021? Complete our free eligibility tool!

In January 2021, IRCC then held a lottery inviting up to 10,000 people to submit their sponsorship applications. Those drawn from the lottery had 60 days to submit their completed sponsorship applications to IRCC.

This year IRCC will process up to 30,000 new PGP applications.

The eligibility criteria for the PGP includes sponsors:

• Being Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• Be at least 18 years old
• Meet IRCC’s Minimum Necessary Income level
• Sign IRCC’s sponsorship undertaking agreement. Sponsors and co-signers are legally obliged to repay any social assistance that is paid to their sponsored relatives. The undertaking period is 20 years for sponsors and co-signers who reside outside of Quebec. It is 10 years for those living in Quebec.

Are you eligible for PGP 2021? Complete our free eligibility tool!

Correction notice: CIC News previously reported the press conference was scheduled for 2 PM EST. We apologize for our error.

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