Canadian Parents and Grandparents Program reopens

From today, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be able to take the first step in applying to bring their parents and grandparents to join them in Canada.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a new process in 2017 for application intake for sponsoring parents and grandparents to make it fairer and more transparent for applicants. Now, potential sponsors must first notify IRCC that they are interested in sponsoring their parents and grandparents by submitting an “Interest to Sponsor” form. Using a random selection process, IRCC will then invite potential sponsors to apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents.

The “Interest to Sponsor” form will be available today at noon eastern standard time. The form will remain available until noon on the 1st February.

“Family reunification is a priority for the Government of Canada,” said Ahmed Hussen, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. “I invite those who are eligible to sponsor to express their interest to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada. Helping more people reunite with their parents and grandparents in Canada demonstrates the government’s commitment to keeping families together, leading to successful integration and stronger ties to Canada.”

To help ensure the efficiency of the system and to allow as many eligible sponsors as possible to bring their elders to Canada, it is important that only those who meet the sponsorship eligibility requirements submit an “Interest to Sponsor” form.

Additional questions have been added to the 2018 version of the “Interest to Sponsor” form to help potential sponsors self-assess whether they are eligible to sponsor.

Article published 2nd January 2018