Canada has temporarily halted new applications for the parent and grandparent permanent residency sponsorship program. This decision, outlined in a recent ministerial directive, aims to prioritize clearing the backlog of existing applications while maintaining the government’s commitment to family reunification.
Here’s everything you need to know about the pause, the reasoning behind it, and its impact on future sponsorships.
Why Is Canada Pausing Parent and Grandparent Sponsorships?
A directive published in the Canada Gazette explains that the government’s focus is shifting to processing applications submitted last year. Immigration Minister Marc Miller emphasized that this approach aligns with Canada’s broader goals for immigration and family reunification.
“This will best support our immigration targets while addressing existing applications,” Minister Miller stated.
How Does This Fit Into Canada’s Immigration Plan?
Canada’s immigration levels plan for 2024-2026 outlines an overall decrease in immigration numbers over the next three years. Despite this, the government aims to admit over 24,000 individuals through the parent and grandparent sponsorship stream in 2024 alone.
Key details of the plan include:
- 15,000 applications will be processed under the family reunification program in 2024.
- 35,700 applicants were invited to submit applications this year, with a goal of accepting 20,500 applications.
What About the Existing Backlog?
The backlog remains a pressing concern. According to the 2024 annual report to Parliament on immigration, there were more than 40,000 parent and grandparent sponsorships pending as of the end of 2023.
The report also noted that the average processing time for these applications is 24 months, underscoring the need to streamline existing applications before accepting new ones.
Impact on Other Immigration Streams
This is not the first time Canada has paused parental sponsorships. Similar measures have been taken in other immigration streams to reduce processing times and improve efficiency.
While these changes may be frustrating for families looking to reunite, the government aims to ensure timely decisions on existing cases, benefiting applicants already in the system.
What’s Next for the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program?
For now, new sponsorship applications under the parent and grandparent program are on hold until further notice. This pause will allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to focus on addressing the backlog and meeting current targets.
If you were planning to apply, here’s what you can do:
- Stay Informed: Regularly check updates from IRCC for any changes to the program.
- Explore Alternatives: Look into other family reunification pathways or temporary visa options for parents and grandparents. For example, the “supervisa” is a long-term visitor visa that enables parents of Canadians to remain in the country for extended periods.
- Plan Ahead: Consider gathering required documents and preparing your application to act quickly once the program reopens.
Conclusion
The pause on new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications reflects Canada’s focus on addressing the existing backlog while adhering to its immigration goals. Although this decision may delay new applications, it aims to improve processing times and ensure more efficient immigration outcomes for families already in the system.
How We Can Help
The Immigration Law Firm of Matthew Jeffery specializes in family, spousal, and parental sponsorships with over 20 years of experience helping clients reunite with their loved ones in Canada. Fill out our free family sponsorship assessment form to see if we can help you with your immigration matters.
