Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

As part of its commitment to a fair and transparent immigration system, the Government of Canada has made changes to the Parent and Grandparent Program to improve the application process. The number of applications accepted for intake will be limited to 10,000. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be giving an equal chance to all Canadian applicants who would like to sponsor their parents or grandparents.

From 12:00pm EST on January 3, 2017, until 12:00pm EST on February 2, 2017, an online form will be made available on the IRCC website for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who would like to apply as sponsors for their parents or grandparents. This online form, available for 30 days only, will let the immigration department know of an applicant’s interest in the program. Similar to the Expression of Interest (EOI) application process, filling the form does not consist of a formal application to sponsor as the applicant must be selected to apply.

General information about the interested Canadian sponsor should be filled on the form including the individual’s full name, date of birth, country of birth, and home address and e-mail address. A confirmation number will be issued to the applicant once the online form is successfully submitted. Only one form will be accepted for entry per individual, and any duplicates will be removed from the system.

Once the 30 days is up, the form will no longer be available. The IRCC will then pool the entries and select 10,000 people at random to complete the full application. This method will offer all applicants the same chance of selection. Whether an individual is selected to apply or not, he or she will receive a notification. Those that are randomly chosen will be invited to apply as sponsors for the Parent and Grandparent Program.

If invited to apply, applicants are given 90 days to submit a complete application to IRCC. A new application kit and guide for 2017 applicants will be available on the IRCC’s website as of January 9, 2017.

Individuals whose online forms are not selected can submit another interest to apply the following year, in 2018.

Canada places priority on reunification of family members. For those interested in immigration to Canada through one of its business or investor programs, it is always reassuring to know that parents and grandparents will have the opportunity to be sponsored at a later date. The sponsorship programs apply to both Canadian citizens and permanent residents, so as soon as one lands as a permanent resident, the sponsorship process can commence (at the next online form intake date) without having to wait several years. Families are meant to stay together, and Canada is now facilitating that process.

For more information on Canadian immigration programs, please click here.

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