Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially announced the launch of the 2020 intake process for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), offering Canadian citizens and permanent residents a renewed opportunity to bring close family members to Canada.
The PGP allows eligible sponsors to apply for permanent residence on behalf of their parents and grandparents, promoting family reunification—a key pillar of Canada’s immigration policy. The official details, shared earlier this week by IRCC, confirm that intake for the 2020 program will proceed via a randomized selection process, similar to previous years.
Interested sponsors must first submit an online interest to sponsor form within the specified window announced by IRCC. Once the submission period closes, IRCC will randomly select potential sponsors and issue invitations to apply. Those invited will have 60 days to submit a complete sponsorship application.
As part of the eligibility criteria, sponsors must meet certain income requirements to demonstrate that they can support their family members financially without relying on social assistance. They must also sign a sponsorship agreement committing to support the sponsored person for a period of 20 years—from the time they become a permanent resident.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on incomes in 2020, IRCC made certain adjustments to the income evaluation process, recognizing the challenges families may have faced. This flexibility is aimed at ensuring the program remains inclusive, while still upholding its integrity.
Canada’s ongoing commitment to family reunification is reflected in the consistent inclusion of the PGP in its annual immigration objectives. For 2020, the government allocated a specific intake quota to manage application volumes and processing times efficiently.
The PGP remains one of the most anticipated immigration streams due to high demand and limited availability. Those who are not selected in the draw often explore alternative options, such as the Super Visa, which allows extended stays for parents and grandparents.
Maple News will continue to provide updates on PGP application timelines, selection figures, and future intake rounds as they are announced by IRCC.