Parents and GrandParents Program (PGP)
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a Canadian immigration program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to come and live with them in Canada permanently. In this guide, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the PGP program, including its eligibility criteria, the application process, and other important details.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to sponsor their parents and grandparents under the PGP program, Canadian citizens or permanent residents must meet the following requirements:
- They must be at least 18 years of age.
- They must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada.
- They must meet the minimum necessary income requirement.
- They must commit to financially supporting their parents and grandparents for a period of up to 20 years.
Income Requirements
To be eligible to sponsor their parents and grandparents, Canadian citizens or permanent residents must meet the minimum necessary income requirement for three consecutive years before the date of their application. The minimum necessary income requirement is calculated based on the number of people in the sponsor’s household, including the people they are sponsoring.
Application Process
To apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents under the PGP program, Canadian citizens or permanent residents must follow these steps:
Step 1: Submit an Interest to Sponsor Form
Canadian citizens and permanent residents must first submit an online Interest to Sponsor form during the designated application period. This period usually opens in January and is available for a limited time.
Step 2: Receive an Invitation to Apply
Once the Interest to Sponsor form is submitted, applicants will be entered into a lottery system. Those selected will receive an invitation to apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents.
Step 3: Submit the Application
After receiving an invitation to apply, Canadian citizens and permanent residents have 60 days to submit their application along with all required documents.
Processing Time
The processing time for a PGP application can vary depending on a number of factors, including the volume of applications received and the completeness of the application. However, the Canadian government aims to process 80% of PGP applications within 24 months.
Required Documents
When applying to sponsor their parents and grandparents under the PGP program, Canadian citizens and permanent residents must provide the following documents:
- Proof of income
- Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
- Proof of relationship to the sponsored person
- Police certificates
- Medical exams
- Other documents as requested by immigration authorities
Conclusion
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a Canadian immigration program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to come and live with them in Canada permanently. To be eligible, sponsors must meet certain income requirements and commit to financially supporting their parents and grandparents for up to 20 years. The application process involves submitting an Interest to Sponsor form, receiving an invitation to apply, and submitting a complete application along with all required documents. Processing times can vary, but the Canadian government aims to process 80% of PGP applications within 24 months.