There is a high demand for sponsoring parents and grandparents to Canada, but the available admission targets are limited. An official document from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) obtained by CIC News reveals that the demand for sponsoring parents and grandparents is exceeding the available admission targets.
Before the pandemic, the process involved receiving interest to sponsor submissions, randomizing the submissions, and then selecting a limited number of applicants based on application targets. However, the intake levels and processing times for the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) applications have grown every year since 2019. There is currently an inventory of nearly 100,000 persons.
The IRCC memo states that the PGP will allocate 28,500 admissions for parents and grandparents in 2023, with the number growing to 32,000 in 2024, and 34,000 in 2025 and 2026. However, given the number of applicants in the existing pool, there is no need for new applicants in 2023 to meet these levels. As a result, new applications received in 2023 will have to wait approximately two to three years to be finalized.
The processing times for parent and grandparent applications can be reduced through intake management, which aligns inputs and outputs. IRCC recommends establishing a multi-year Intake Plan to ensure that intake aligns with admission targets, similar to what is done in Express Entry.
In addition to the Parent and Grandparent Program, the Super Visa offers an alternative for parents and grandparents of Canadians to stay in Canada for extended periods of time. The Super Visa is a temporary visa that allows parents and grandparents to visit their family in Canada for up to five consecutive years without renewing their visitor status. It is available year-round and is ideal for parents and grandparents living in countries that require a Temporary Resident Visa for entry into Canada.
To be eligible for a Super Visa, an applicant must be a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and have a signed letter of invitation from their child or grandchild in Canada. The child or grandchild must also be able to prove that they meet the income requirements of the Super Visa.
For more information on eligibility and application process, you can contact the Cohen Immigration Law Firm for a Free Super Visa Telephone Consultation.
These developments raise questions for those seeking to immigrate to Canada. While the demand for sponsoring parents and grandparents significantly exceeds Canada’s available admission targets, the Super Visa offers an alternative for parents and grandparents of Canadians to stay in Canada for extended periods of time. For more information on immigration to Canada, you can visit Jetsanza.com.
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