Canada to reopen parents, grandparents programme in January
Dear Mr Brown,
Please advise me on how I can sponsor my parent to migrate to Canada in the lottery system. Is there anything that I can do to increase the chance of success?
— CB
Dear CB:
Last year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a new lottery system for application intake for sponsoring of parents and grandparents.
This year, potential sponsors must first notify IRCC that they are interested in sponsoring their parents and grandparents by submitting an ‘Interest to Sponsor’ form, which will be made available from 12:00 pm EST on January 2, 2018 to 12:00 pm EST February 1, 2018.
The form will include questions to assist the potential sponsor to assess their eligibility to sponsor their parent or grandparent to increase the efficiency of the system.
Random selection
Subsequently, using a random selection process, IRCC will then invite potential sponsors to apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents.
There will be a quota of a maximum of 10,000 applications. IRCC will randomly invite the 10,000 individuals to submit an application. Candidates who are invited to apply will have 90 days to make the submission, including supporting documents.
Requirements
The requirements for you to be a sponsor for parents and grandparents include:
• Being 18 years of age or older;
• Being a Canadian citizen, registered Indian or permanent resident;
• Sponsoring a member of the family class;
• Living in Canada;
• Signing an unconditional undertaking promising to provide for the basic requirements of the person being sponsored;
• Signing an agreement with your parent(s) that confirms that each of you understands your mutual obligations and responsibilities;
• Proving sufficient income to provide the basic requirements for family members in Canada as well as the sponsored parent(s), whether as a single person or with a co-signer, if applicable (spouse or common-law partner).
For further information on Express Entry or the Study and Work programme, please visit jamaica2canada.com.
Antonn Brown, BA, (Hons), LLB, MSc, RCIC, is an immigration counsel, education agent and managing director of JAMAICA2CANADA.COM — a Canadian immigration and education firm in Kingston. Send questions/comments to jamaica2canada@gmail.com.
