IRCC announces update to Parents and Grandparents Program 2023

author avatar
Julia Hornstein
Published: September 8, 2023

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has just announced an update to the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). IRCC will accept up to 15,000 complete applications for sponsorship under the PGP this year.

On October 10, IRCC will begin sending invitations to apply to 24,200 interested potential sponsors, aiming to receive up to the 15,000 complete applications.

Due to the number of forms remaining in the pool of submissions from 2020, invitations to apply will be sent to randomly selected potential sponsors from that pool instead of opening a new interest to sponsor form.

If you submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020, but did not receive an invitation to apply in 2021 or 2022, you are encouraged to check the email account you provided in 2020 when you submitted your interest to sponsor form.

If you are invited to apply as part of the 2023 intake, IRCC will continue to use the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal, which allow applications to be submitted electronically.

Sponsor your parents and grandparents for Canadian immigration

Immigration Levels Plan

In 2022, IRCC invited 23,100 potential sponsors to apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents with the goal of receiving 15,000 complete applications.

Every year, IRCC releases its Immigration Levels Plan, which it uses to guide its operations and set out its goals for welcoming newcomers to Canada.

In 2023, Canada’s newcomer target is 465,000 new permanent residents. Canada’s goal is to welcome 28,500 parents and grandparents in 2023.

By 2025, Canada’s newcomer target is 500,000, and 36,000 parents and grandparents.

The Super Visa

The Super Visa is a popular option for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who want to bring their foreign parents and grandparents to Canada.

It is a temporary visa that allows parents and grandparents to visit their family for up to five consecutive years without having to renew their visitor status. Super Visa holders can enter Canada multiple times for up to 10 years. Those who already have a Super Visa may be able to apply for an extension that allows them to stay in Canada for up to seven years as a visitor.

There is no lottery for the Super Visa and it is offered all year, so it is a great option for those looking for more certainty when sponsoring their parent or grandparent.

In order to be eligible for the Super Visa, an applicant must:

  • Be a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • Not be inadmissible to Canada on the basis of criminality or health
  • Prove that they can meet the income requirements identified by the Low-Income Cut Off (LICO)
  • Provide a signed letter from their child or grandchild inviting them to Canada, and includes a promise of financial support for the length of the visit and the list and number of people in the household of this person
  • Provide proof of medical insurance coverage for at least one year with a Canadian insurance company

Get a Free Super Visa Telephone Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm

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
Related articles
British Columbia invites workers across five priority sectors to apply for provincial nomination
British Columbia invited workers in construction trades, healthcare, and childcare occupations for provincial immigration
Canada invites French-speaking Express Entry candidates to apply for PR
A shot of a beach in Vancouver, with people enjoying the day.
IRCC releases updated distribution of candidate scores in the Express Entry pool
Many people walking across a crosswalk in different directions.
Canadian Experience Class candidates invited to apply for permanent residence
A shot of the Vancouver City skyline, with mountains in the background and a Canadian flag in the foreground.
Top Stories
British Columbia invites workers across five priority sectors to apply for provincial nomination
Canada unveils requirements for work permit exemption for academic examiners
Getting citizenship by descent documents from Quebec? Here is what most applicants only learn the hard way
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Citizenship
Getting citizenship by descent documents from Quebec? Here is what most applicants only learn the hard way
A woman pours over her gathered documents, trying to determine what information she still needs.
Washington’s deep Canadian ties could mean citizenship for tens of thousands through ancestry
Washington state shares a border with British Columbia
Submitting a Canadian citizenship by descent application? Double check these seven details first
Common mistakes can lead to a proof of Canadian citizenship application being returned
My American parent never had a Canadian passport. Can I still claim Canadian citizenship?
Bill C-3 eliminated the first generation limit on Canadian citizenship by descent
Link copied to clipboard