Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently issued invitations to selected applicants under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). For many, this could be their only opportunity in the near future to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence in Canada.
To improve your chances of a successful application, it’s crucial to avoid several recurring mistakes that lead to refusals or application delays.
One of the most common errors is submitting an incomplete application. If your application package is missing documents or signatures, IRCC may send you a letter requesting the missing material. Applicants have 30 days to respond. Failure to do so means the application will be returned without processing — a major setback given how competitive the PGP is. With no new intake periods since 2020 and applicants selected via a lottery system, missing this chance could mean a multi-year wait for another opportunity.
Another frequent issue occurs when applicants respond to IRCC through no-reply email addresses. This can result in key documents not being received, leading to application refusal. To prevent this, always verify the correct communication channels — often via IRCC’s secure webform.
Accuracy is also vital. If the information in your application doesn’t match the details provided on your original interest-to-sponsor form, your application may be rejected. Always double-check that every field — from names to income and dependent counts — is consistent across documents.
Additionally, improperly signed or outdated application forms can render a submission incomplete. IRCC often requires digital validation or hand-signed documents. Make sure to use the latest forms and follow signing instructions closely.
Sponsored individuals must also provide complete employment histories. Omitting periods of unemployment or failing to explain work gaps may raise red flags and result in a denial. To avoid this, update all public profiles and resumes thoroughly to reflect accurate timelines.
IRCC provides specific guidelines and an official document checklist to help applicants meet the detailed requirements. Taking the time to follow these resources carefully may make the difference between approval and rejection.
For Canadians hoping to reunite with family members, the PGP represents a rare and valuable pathway. As Maple News highlights, avoiding common pitfalls and submitting a complete, accurate application is essential to navigating it successfully.