Parents and Grandparents Program reopening in new year - Potential sponsors will soon have the opportunity to express their interest to sponsor

OTTAWA, Dec. 22, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Canadian citizens and permanent residents will soon be able to take the first step in applying to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada, when the Parents and Grandparents Program reopens in 2018.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a new process in 2017 for application intake for sponsoring parents and grandparents to make it fairer and more transparent for applicants. Now, potential sponsors must first notify IRCC that they are interested in sponsoring their parents and grandparents by submitting an "Interest to Sponsor" form. Using a random selection process, IRCC will then invite potential sponsors to apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents.

Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that the "Interest to Sponsor" form will be available at noon EST on January 2, 2018. Those who wish to apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents in 2018 must first fill out this online form. It will be available until noon February 1, 2018.

To help ensure the efficiency of the system and to allow as many eligible sponsors as possible to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada, it is important that only those who meet the sponsorship eligibility requirements submit an "Interest to Sponsor" form. Additional questions have been added to the 2018 version of the "Interest to Sponsor" form to help potential sponsors self-assess whether they are eligible to sponsor.

Quote

"Family reunification is a priority for the Government of Canada. On January 2, I invite those who are eligible to sponsor to express their interest to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada. Helping more people reunite with their parents and grandparents in Canada demonstrates the government's commitment to keeping families together, leading to successful integration and stronger ties to Canada."

– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

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• Sponsor your parents and grandparents
• Find out if you're eligible

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SOURCE Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada