The reopening of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) on May 21st has highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by sponsors. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will select eligible applicants from the 2020 pool, leaving many sponsors unable to enter the PGP candidate pool to sponsor their loved ones for Canadian permanent residence (PR).
However, there’s an alternative route for those unable to sponsor their parents and/or grandparents: the Super Visa. While different from the PGP, the Super Visa allows Canadians to reunite with their loved ones.
Availability
The PGP and the Super Visa have very different availabilities:
- PGP: Available once a year with limited spots, using a lottery system from the 2020 pool.
- Super Visa: Available year-round with no lottery, offering higher success rates for eligible sponsors.
Eligibility
Both programs are for parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Sponsors must be either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident at the time of applying.
PGP Eligibility:
- Submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020.
- Meet age, residency, and income requirements.
- Sign a 20-year financial support undertaking (10 years in Quebec).
Super Visa Eligibility:
- Applicants must apply from outside Canada.
- Provide proof of relationship and host’s status in Canada.
- Host must meet the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) criteria.
Immigration Outcomes
PGP: Successful applicants receive PR status, allowing them to live, work, and settle in Canada permanently, with access to most rights of a Canadian citizen.
Super Visa: Successful applicants get temporary resident status, enabling stays up to five years at a time, extendable by two years, with the possibility of staying in Canada for up to seven years before needing to leave.
Cost
PGP Costs:
- $1,205 CAD for a principal applicant (including sponsorship and processing fees).
- Additional $1,210 CAD for a spouse/partner.
Super Visa Costs:
- $100 CAD for a single or multiple-entry Super Visa.
- $500 CAD per family of five.
- Additional fees for extending stay or restoring status.
Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration.
