The IRCC has completed its 2022 PGP Lottery and released its guide outlining the steps to submit an application for the 23,100 Canadians who received invitations to apply this year. Here is a summary of those steps.
Between October 12 and October 20, Canada conducted a lottery to issue 23,100 Invitations (ITAs) to apply for the 2022 Parent and Grandparents Program (PGP).
As a reminder, the pool of potential sponsors from whom ITAs were issued for this year’s event are the remaining 155,000 sponsorship candidates who submitted an interest in sponsor form in 2020.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to accept 15,000 completed applications and you could be one of them this year. If you were lucky enough to get ITA for this year’s PGP, we will give below details on how you can submit your application.
Note: Submission of application for PGP is now online only and IRCC insists that you should apply for PGP only if you have been invited to do so. Applications submitted without ITA will be returned
How to submit your PGP 2022 Application
BEFORE APPLYING: Make sure you have verified that you have received the ITA using IRCC’s Invitation Status web form. If this web form confirms receipt of an ITA, but you have never received an email on the account indicated on your interest to sponsor form, check your spam and junk folders, but also your physical mail. Do it. IRCC mails the physical ITA when they are not able to email the prospective applicant. Finally, confirm once again that you meet all of the IRCC’s PGP eligibility criteria, including:
- being over 18 years old
- Being a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or having First Nation status
- Meeting the minimum required income (MNI) requirement for the 2021, 2020 and 2019 tax years (if you live outside of Quebec)
Residents of Quebec must prove that they have met specific sponsor income requirements set by that province in the past 12 months.
While you are not required to hire an immigration attorney, you may want to do so to ensure that you submit a complete and accurate application. IRCC PGP 2022 allows the use of an immigration attorney on behalf of applicants.
IRCC’s guide outlines the following steps to help you prepare and submit your application. As of December 24, 2022, you must:
- Gather Documents
IRCC provides a document checklist to ensure that prospective applicants do not miss any forms/materials which may result in their application being sent back
- Complete the Application
Thoroughly review the entire instruction guide provided and fill out all sections of each form completely and accurately. Indicate “Not applicable” or “Not applicable” for sections that do not apply to you
- Pay the Fees
Depending on the number of people being sponsored through a single application, the fee will change depending on individual circumstances (dependents of the principal applicant being sponsored to visit Canada, etc.).
- Review Your Application to Avoid Common Mistakes
- Submit Your Application
Ensure that all questions on the application are answered and that the application is electronically signed. Also, make sure to include your processing fee receipt and all necessary supporting documents such as your ITA letter along with your confirmation number
What happens after I submit my PGP 2022 application?
At the time of writing, the average PGP application processing time is 37 months (including the time required for sponsors to provide their biometrics). However, this time frame is dynamic and the IRCC outlines its current average processing time on its website.
The person(s) you are sponsoring can receive instant email updates and more detailed status updates by creating an online account on the IRCC website.
If you want application status updates and information…
From inside Canada and the US: Contact IRCC via this link
From Canada and outside the US: Contact the Canadian diplomatic office responsible for your territory
Do I have any option but to bring my parents and grandparents out of PGP to Canada?
Yes.
Super Visa is an option that people who do not obtain ITA can explore for their parents and grandparents. Through the Super Visa, parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents (PR) “can stay in Canada for 5 years at a time and to extend their stay in Canada for 2 years at a time” can apply.”