Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has begun issuing invitations for the 2023 intake of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Selected applicants who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 are now being invited to apply to sponsor their parents or grandparents for Canadian permanent residence.
If you have received an invitation, you must submit a completed sponsorship application online via the Permanent Residence Portal. Either the principal applicant (your parent or grandparent) or an authorized representative can submit the application. If a representative is filing on behalf of your family member, they must sign in using their Representative Permanent Residence Portal credentials.
It’s crucial to note that IRCC must receive the application no later than December 22, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances. Those facing barriers to online submission can request an alternative format, though this must also be coordinated well before the deadline.
Each selected sponsor will receive an email from IRCC containing a barcode. This barcode matches your sponsorship application with the information originally provided in 2020. Applicants must upload a digital copy of this barcode under the “Additional Supporting Documents” section, labeled as “Other.”
To ensure your application is successfully processed, follow every step outlined in the government’s official instruction guide. All details in the application—especially legal status documents and contact information—must match those provided in your 2020 submission. Payment of all immigration and biometric fees must be completed online; failure to provide proof of payment will result in an incomplete application.
Applicants must also meet financial eligibility by demonstrating they satisfy the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for each of the three years prior to the application—specifically for 2020, 2021, and 2022. Due to the economic impact of the pandemic, IRCC continues to apply reduced MNI thresholds for the 2020 and 2021 tax years, removing the extra 30% buffer required in pre-pandemic years.
Income verification can be simplified by providing your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and signing a consent form (IMM 5768), which allows IRCC direct access to your tax data from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If you choose not to give consent, you’ll need to submit the Income Sources form (IMM 5748) along with your Notices of Assessment for the past three years.
The Parents and Grandparents Program is a key family reunification initiative under Canada’s immigration system. Only those who expressed interest in 2020 are eligible for selection this year, and no new interest to sponsor forms were accepted in 2023.
Maple News will continue monitoring updates on the PGP and providing timely guidance to Canadian residents seeking to unite with family members under this program.