Citizens and permanent residents of Canada unsuccessful in bringing their family members here through the Parents and Grandparents Program should consider the backup option of a Parents and Grandparents Super Visa.

Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program – which offers permanent residency to qualified candidates – is highly popular and operates using a lottery system.

However, the last window for submitting an ‘Interest to Sponsor’ form came in 2020, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently said it was still processing applications from invitations to apply issued to those candidates.

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IRCC officials do not know when a new window will open for submitting the form to express interest in bringing family members to Canada.

The lack of certainty surrounding the Parents and Grandparents Program is forcing many to consider the Parents and Grandparents Super Visa.

This 10-year, multiple entry visa can be used to bring family members here with temporary status, while efforts to get permanent residency are ongoing.

Super Visa holders can remain in Canada for periods of up to two years. In comparison, a regular visitor visa is usually valid for a maximum period of six months.

Parents and Grandparents Super Visa: Requirements

The parent or grandparent must:

• Show that they are the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
• Obtain medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company that is valid for at least one year, providing a minimum coverage of $100,000 for health care, hospitalization and repatriation;
• Undergo a medical examination.

The parent or grandparent’s family member in Canada must:

• Demonstrate that they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
• Provide the applicant with a letter of invitation. This is a letter that provides information about the applicant’s planned visit, the child or grandchild’s occupation and the economic situation in Canada. Most importantly, this letter must include a written and signed promise of financial support for the applicant for the duration of their visit;
• Demonstrate their income is above a predetermined minimum level.

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Immigration Levels Plan For Parents and Grandparents Program

Canada’s annual immigration intake through the Parents and Grandparents Program is set to rise by more than third in the next three years.

Ottawa’s latest Immigration Levels Plan targets 25,000 newcomers through the program in 2022, 28,500 in 2023 and a 2024 intake of 32,000.

That is a 36 percent increase on the 2021 target of 23,500 PGP newcomers.

The increases are an encouraging sign for those wishing to bring their family members to Canada through this highly-popular program. However, in the mean time the most timely option is the Parents and Grandparents Super Visa.