The sponsored parent and grandparent program in Canada is a benefit provided to the citizens and permanent residents of the country.
Through this program, a person can bring his/her parents or grandparents to Canada who can become permanent residents there with all the benefits that come with it.
This means that they can live and work in Canada without any restriction on location, sector, or time. They can also take benefits of all public-funded institutions like hospitals. They will eventually become permanent residents of the country but until then, they’ll be taken care of by their sponsors.
Who can become a sponsor for Grandparents in Canada
To become a sponsor and bring parents/grandparents to Canada, a person must meet certain requirements.
- He/she must either be a citizen of the country or a permanent resident
- He/she must have completed the minimum income requirements for 3 consecutive years preceding the year of application
- He/she must support his or her parents financially.
In addition to these requirements, there’s a contract that both the sponsor and his/her parents or grandparents need to sign. This contract binds an agreement that:
- Commits the sponsor to financially support the sponsored people along with any other relative that might be accompanying them. They must support them for anywhere between 3 to 20 years, depending on their age.
- The sponsored person who will be a permanent resident will make every effort to support themselves.
How to become a sponsor for Grandparents Visa to Canada
To take the benefit of the parents and grandparents program, you need to meet the aforementioned requirements. Once you’re past that, you’d have to submit a few documents that prove your citizenship or your permanent residence in Canada along with your income proof.
You need to submit your application to the IRCC when they invite applications for the program. Since 2019, the IRCC is only accepting invited applications based on the order in which it receives them which means you need to apply early to increase the chances of your application being selected.
What to do when you aren’t invited to apply?
When you have not been invited to apply for the program or if you choose to call your parents early, you have an alternative that’s easier. You can apply for the Super Visa.
Under SuperVisa, parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents can enjoy extended stays. They can stay in Canada for a period of two years with the validity of the visa lasting for 10 years. They can choose how they wish to remain in Canada for 2 years in those 10 years.