Canada’s parents and grandparents programme is all set: who is eligible and how to apply

Canada is welcoming its residents' parents and grandparents again. The 2024 PGP round of invitations commenced on May 21st, 2024.

IRCC, or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, issued 35,700 invitations for parents and grandparents, with the aim of approving 20,500 applications for permanent residence.

Author • Elena Ruda

Chief Development Officer at Immigrant Invest

Canada’s parents and grandparents programme is all set: who is eligible and how to apply

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents and grandparents to immigrate to Canada. Parents and grandparents approved under this programme receive Canadian permanent residence and may eventually be able to apply for Canadian citizenship.

Invitations for the 2024 PGP programme in Canada were to be sent out over a two-week period starting on May 21st, 2024. Applicants were to be selected from the 2020 pool of interested eligible sponsors.

Sponsors who received an ITA must submit their application through the Permanent Residence Portal by the deadline outlined in their invitations. IRCC has stated that all applications must be submitted by August 2nd, 2024.

What are the benefits of the Parents and Grandparents Programme and who is eligible

Parents and grandparents of Canadian legal residence can:

work in Canada;
access local healthcare;
receive full protection under Canadian law;
apply to become Canadian citizens once they meet the eligibility criteria.

The programme is open for older people regardless of their medical conditions. However, the Canadian government has the authority to deny entry to a parent or grandparent on health grounds if they pose a risk to public health or safety.

Every grandparent needs an application of their own, which means a couple will need two separate applications.

To be eligible to sponsor the relatives, a resident of Canada should prove an income of at least $44,530 for three consecutive taxation years. The number is different for the Province of Quebec; it is $28,242, and it should be gross income from Canadian sources received over the past 12 months.

How to move to Canada as an entrepreneur

The Canadian Start-Up Visa is designed for foreign entrepreneurs who wish to launch an innovative business in Canada. The visa is issued to start-up founders with a promising business idea and support from accredited Canadian organisations.

A team of up to five partners can apply for the start-up visa. Each partner must own at least 10% of the company’s voting shares. Additionally, the founders and the investor must own more than 50% of the company together.

Family members of the company founder, including the spouse and children under 22 years old, also receive the visa. They are allowed to work and study in Canada without additional permits.

The start-up visa is valid for up to three years. Along with the visa, entrepreneurs and their family members receive permanent resident status. Permanent residency is granted for life, but the resident card must be renewed every five years.

Foreigners can apply for Canadian citizenship after three years of living in the country with permanent resident status. A Canadian passport offers more travel opportunities, allowing visa-free entry to 167 countries.

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