2025 Update: The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) lottery is not accepting new applications in 2025. IRCC will process applications received in 2024.
Sponsoring your relative through the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) has been a popular route for many foreign nationals looking to reunite with family. Canada takes pride in family reunification and has created various pathways that allow it. Recently the PGP program has turned into a lottery which applicants will now look forward to each year!
These potential sponsors will be selected at random among a pool of applicants and will be formally invited to sponsor their families. As some people are not happy with the program turning into a lottery, the good news is that the government will be temporarily reducing how much income an individual must earn to be a qualified sponsor.
Latest PGP Lottery
The 2024 PGP lottery started on May 21, 2024. IRCC randomly selected potential sponsors who had submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020. They sent out 35,700 ITAs over approximately two weeks. The deadline for submitting complete applications for the 2024 intake was August 2, 2024.
Why is the PGP Closed for New Applications in 2025?
The primary reason for this pause is to allow IRCC to manage the backlog of existing applications and to meet their immigration targets for 2025. They have reduced the number of permanent resident spots available under the PGP for 2025.
Waiting for the Next PGP Lottery
Here are a few things you can expect for when this lottery is open and applicants can submit their interest to sponsor forms.
How to Enter the Lottery
The first step to sponsoring your parent or grandparent through the lottery will be to submit your interest to sponsor form. This form is posted on the Canadian Government site.
How to Fill Out the Form
The applicant sponsoring their family is the one who needs to complete the sponsor interest form. You will be able to go back into your form to update your information in case you made a mistake. The information on your interest form must correlate with the information you provided within your application. After you’ve submitted your interest form, you will receive a confirmation number that you cannot give away.
After You’ve Submitted Your Interest Form
After you have submitted your interest form, you will want to write down your confirmation number and copiously check your email for an invitation to apply. The invitations will be sent out once officials have reviewed submissions and deleted duplicate forms.
Tips for when you are waiting for your invitation:
- check the email you used on your interest form
- check your junk mail or spam folder
- let officials know if your email address has changed
If You Are Invited to Apply
If you are invited to apply for sponsorship, you will need to submit your sponsorship application within 60 days (the deadline will be on your invitation). If you mail your application and it is after the deadline, your application will be returned to you and you won’t be able to apply for or receive another invitation.
If You Are NOT Invited to Apply: PGP Alternatives
Your parent or grandparent may be eligible to apply for a Super Visa which would allow them to stay in Canada for up to 2 years at a time and apply to extend their stay by up to 1 year at a time.
Looking For Help With Your Application or Alternative Options?
VisaPlace can help you prepare for when the PGP lottery reopens or assist with applying for a Super Visa. It’s highly recommended to speak with an immigration professional as immigration officials tend to be picky when it comes to draws!
Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.
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