Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially begun the 2021 Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) lottery draw. This year, IRCC plans to invite 30,000 potential sponsors to apply for permanent residency sponsorship of their parents and grandparents.
The selection process, which kicked off the week of September 20, will run for approximately two weeks. Chosen applicants will receive invitations to apply (ITAs) through email. Once invited, participants have up to 60 days to submit a fully completed sponsorship application to IRCC.
This draw is part of Canada’s broader effort to reunite families and strengthen multi-generational household structures, a priority seen as crucial to integrating newcomers and promoting stability. The PGP is a highly competitive immigration stream that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence, provided they meet specific income and eligibility requirements.
Due to overwhelming interest and limited spots, the PGP operates through a randomized selection system. Individuals who submitted an interest to sponsor form in early 2020 are eligible for this 2021 lottery draw, as there was no new intake of applications this year.
Applicants selected in this round must prove they have met the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the past three taxation years and demonstrate the ability to financially support the sponsored individuals without social assistance.
Once approved, sponsored family members receive permanent residence and may be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship in the future, enabling more families to build their lives together in Canada for the long term.
IRCC has emphasized that uninvited applicants should not apply. Instead, they are advised to wait for future sponsorship opportunities or consider alternative pathways, such as super visas for extended stays.
Maple News will continue to monitor and report on developments in Canada’s family reunification programs.