Surge in Immigration Under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

2024 Trends and Statistics

Immigration to Canada under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) rose significantly in 2024. In May alone, the program saw a remarkable 48.8% increase, welcoming 3,185 new permanent residents, up from 2,140 in April. This surge outpaced the overall monthly immigration growth of 9.3% during the same period.

Despite this monthly spike, the year-to-date total for PGP immigration remains down by 13.4% compared to the same timeframe last year. By the end of May 2024, 11,115 new permanent residents were recorded through the PGP, compared to 12,830 in the first five months of 2023.

Provincial Breakdown

Ontario received the highest number of PGP arrivals, with 5,360 new permanent residents in the first five months of 2024. The other provinces and territories attracted the following number of new permanent residents under the PGP:

• Newfoundland and Labrador: 25
• Prince Edward Island: 0
• Nova Scotia: 85
• New Brunswick: 35
• Quebec: 790
• Manitoba: 420
• Saskatchewan: 325
• Alberta: 2,175
• British Columbia: 1,895
• Yukon: 0
• Northwest Territories: 5
• Nunavut: 0

Saskatchewan saw the largest percentage increase in PGP immigration, with a 110% rise in new permanent residents in May.

Key Factors Influencing the Increase

Interest to Sponsor Process: The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has been managing a backlog of applications from the 2020 intake, which has resulted in a significant number of invitations being issued. In 2024, IRCC aimed to send out 35,700 invitations over a two-week period starting May 21, targeting the remaining applicants from the 2020 Interest to Sponsor pool.

Commitment to Family Reunification: The PGP is a crucial part of Canada’s immigration strategy, emphasizing family reunification. The Canadian government has set ambitious targets for the program, planning to increase admissions to 32,000 in 2024 and 34,000 in 2025, reflecting a commitment to reuniting families.

Super Visa as an Alternative: The Super Visa offers an alternative for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens. It allows them to visit Canada for up to five consecutive years without needing to renew their status and can be extended for up to seven years. The Super Visa also allows for multiple entries over a 10-year period. This visa is available year-round and benefits those from countries requiring a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for entry into Canada.

To qualify for a Super Visa, applicants must:

• Be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Provide a letter of invitation from their child or grandchild in Canada.
• Prove their child or grandchild meets the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) minimum.
• Show proof of a parental relationship.
• Have medical insurance coverage for at least one year from a Canadian insurance company.

The notable increase in PGP immigration in May 2024 highlights the ongoing demand for family reunification in Canada. While the surge is promising, the overall decline in year-to-date totals indicates challenges in managing the high volume of applications. The government’s commitment to increasing PGP admissions in the coming years suggests a proactive approach to addressing these challenges and facilitating family reunification for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Sponsorship Process and Requirements

To sponsor a parent or grandparent under the PGP, applicants must meet several criteria, including:

• Receipt of an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
• Being at least 18 years old
• Canadian residency
• Sufficient funds to support the parent or grandparent
• Proof of income, with the option for a spouse or common-law partner to co-sign

Applicants pay $1,050 to sponsor a parent or grandparent, and the process can take up to 27 months, including the time required for biometric processing.

Financial Responsibilities

Sponsors must commit to:

• Providing financial support for sponsored family members for 20 years
• Repaying any provincial social assistance the sponsorees receive
• Ensuring the basic needs of the sponsorees, including food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare not covered by public health insurance

Ineligibility Factors

Certain conditions can render a Canadian citizen or permanent resident ineligible to sponsor their parents or grandparents, including:

• Past criminality
• Serious financial troubles
• Receipt of social assistance for reasons other than disability

Application Process

The PGP application involves submitting both a sponsorship application and a permanent residence application. Once approved, sponsors sign an agreement to financially support their parents and grandparents. Applicants must keep their information current to avoid processing delays, updating any changes in relationship status, birth or adoption of a child, or contact information.

IRCC’s Role

Canadian immigration officials assess both the sponsor’s eligibility and the person being sponsored. The IRCC typically requests documents such as medical exam results, police certificates, and biometrics from those being sponsored.

Future of PGP Immigration

With growing targets for total immigration to Canada, it is likely that PGP immigration will continue to rise. Under the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada aims to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, 500,000 in 2025, and another 500,000 in 2026. This ambitious plan underscores the government’s commitment to family reunification and addressing the backlog of applications.

The PGP remains a vital pathway for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada, reflecting the country’s values of family unity and support.

The beginning of 2023 marked a notable surge in the number of parents and grandparents immigrating to Canada under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). In January alone, the PGP welcomed 2,065 new permanent residents, representing a nearly 60% increase compared to the 1,300 arrivals in January 2022. This upward trend highlights Canada’s commitment to family reunification and the growing demand for this program.

Annual and Monthly Immigration Targets and Achievements

In 2023, Canada aims to bring in 28,500 permanent residents under the PGP. This follows a significant increase in 2022, which saw 27,255 permanent residents arriving through the PGP, a 132% rise from the 11,740 in 2021. The broader immigration target for 2023 is set at 465,000 permanent residents, with January alone witnessing 50,885 new arrivals—a 44% increase from January 2022.

Family Sponsorship and Immigration Plans

Out of the total 2023 immigration target, 106,500 permanent residents are expected to come through family sponsorship, which includes spouses, common-law partners, children, and parents and grandparents under the PGP. By January 2023, Canada had already welcomed 13,000 newcomers through spousal/children sponsorship and the PGP.

Understanding the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

The PGP enables Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to immigrate to Canada. Approved applicants are granted permanent residence and may eventually apply for Canadian citizenship. To be eligible, sponsors must:

• Have submitted an Interest to Sponsor form during the designated period.
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
• Be at least 18 years old and residing in Canada.
• Meet the minimum necessary income level and provide proof of income.
• Sign an undertaking to financially support the sponsored individuals for 20 years and repay any social assistance benefits paid to them.

In Quebec, sponsors must also sign an additional undertaking with the province. The PGP has traditionally used a lottery system to select sponsors from those who submitted their interest in sponsoring. As of the last PGP lottery in October 2022, there were approximately 155,000 potential sponsors in the pool.