Choosing the Right Path for Your Family: PGP or Super Visa
When it comes to bringing your parents or grandparents to Canada for a long-term stay, the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) and the super visa offer two distinct pathways. Both programs can allow your relatives to live with you in Canada, but there are significant differences between the two.
The super visa provides a temporary solution for parents or grandparents who want to visit Canada for extended periods. It allows for multiple entries over a 10-year period and grants a maximum stay of up to five years at a time. While the super visa offers flexibility, it's important to note that it doesn't provide permanent residency.
If your goal is to help your parents or grandparents obtain permanent residency in Canada, the PGP is the more suitable option. This program allows you to sponsor them for permanent residence, granting them the right to live and work in the country indefinitely. However, the PGP has a limited intake and a lengthy application process.
One of the main differences between the two programs lies in their accessibility. The super visa can be applied for at any time, making it a more accessible option for those seeking a temporary visit. On the other hand, the PGP has a limited intake lottery with an application window, which can result in long wait times. For the 2020 intake, invitations were issued in 2024, and IRCC's current processing time is 24 months.
But what will be their status, especially for searching a job?
Another key difference is the status granted to your relatives. The super visa grants your parents or grandparents visitor status, allowing them to visit Canada for up to five years at a time. The PGP, on the other hand, grants them permanent residency, which allows them to live and work in Canada indefinitely.
In terms of the maximum length of stay, the super visa allows for a maximum stay of five years, while the PGP offers unlimited stay. This means that your parents or grandparents can live in Canada indefinitely once they obtain permanent residency through the PGP.
Ultimately, the choice between the PGP and super visa depends on your family's specific needs and goals. If you're seeking a temporary visit for your parents or grandparents, the super visa offers a more flexible option. However, if you want to provide them with permanent residency in Canada, the PGP is the preferred pathway.
Do your relatives need a super visa or PGP?
Generally, you would only consider the super visa or the PGP for allowing your parents or grandparents to live in Canada on a long-term basis. If they only intend to visit for six months or less, they can come to Canada on visitor status.
If your relatives only intend to visit Canada for a short period, typically six months or less, they can come on a visitor visa. This is a simpler and more straightforward process compared to the super visa or PGP.
However, if they plan to stay in Canada for a longer period or if they want to live and work in the country, then either the super visa or PGP would be the more appropriate option.
Super Visa Eligibility and Income Requirements
To be eligible for a super visa, your parents or grandparents must have a child or grandchild who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian, is at least 18 years old, lives in Canada, meets or exceeds the minimum necessary income, and promises financial support for their visit. They must also purchase health insurance for the duration of their stay.
These are the financial income necessary for your family to come: The minimum necessary gross income required depends on the size of your family unit. For example, a single person needs $29,380, while a family of four needs $54,594. These income requirements are based on data from 2024 and may have changed since then.
In addition to income, your parents or grandparents may be required to undergo a medical exam and provide a criminal background check. By understanding the eligibility requirements and income criteria, you can determine if your parents or grandparents are suitable candidates for a super visa and take the necessary steps to support their application.
Health Insurance for them is a necessity
If you're planning to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada on a Super Visa, they'll need to have health insurance. This insurance should be valid for at least one year from their arrival date and cover things like medical care, hospital stays, and bringing them back to their home country if needed.
The insurance must be from a Canadian company or one that's approved by the Canadian government. It should provide at least $100,000 in emergency coverage. You can't just get a quote; the insurance must be paid in full or with a deposit.
The policy should cover medical care, hospital stays, and repatriation. Having the right health insurance is important for your parents or grandparents' well-being while they're in Canada. Make sure to choose a policy that meets all the requirements and provides them with the necessary coverage.
Now, let's see the PGP Eligibility
To be eligible to sponsor your parents or grandparents through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) outlines several criteria that must be met. First, you must have received an invitation to apply. Additionally, you should be at least 18 years old and currently residing in Canada. It’s essential that you are either a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
Furthermore, you need to demonstrate that you meet the minimum income requirements, which are determined by the size of your family. Lastly, you must agree to support the individuals you are sponsoring by signing a sponsorship agreement, referred to as an undertaking. This commitment is crucial for the application process.
What are the income requirements for the PGP
For those looking to sponsor their parents or grandparents through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for the 2024 application cycle, it's important to be aware of the minimum income requirements from the past three years. The income thresholds vary depending on the size of the family.
For a family of two, the required income was $32,898 in 2021, $43,082 in 2022, and $44,530 in 2023. A family of three needed to show incomes of $40,444 in 2021, $52,965 in 2022, and $54,743 in 2023. Those with four family members had to meet income levels of $49,106 in 2021, $64,306 in 2022, and $66,466 in 2023.
If sponsoring five people, the required income was $55,694 in 2021, increasing to $72,935 in 2022, and $75,384 in 2023. For families of six, the thresholds were $62,814 in 2021, $82,259 in 2022, and $85,020 in 2023. Finally, for a family of seven, the requirements were $69,934 in 2021, $91,582 in 2022, and $94,658 in 2023.
For families exceeding seven members, an additional income of $7,120 for 2021, $9,324 for 2022, and $9,636 for 2023 is needed for each extra person. Meeting these income requirements is crucial for a successful sponsorship application.
Disclaimer: All the amounts are mentioned in US Dollar for baseness in conversions
Application process details for PGP
When applying for a super visa, there are several important steps your parents or grandparents need to follow. First, they must be located outside of Canada at the time of application. Additionally, their visa must be processed and printed by a designated visa office. A medical examination is also required as part of the application process.
It's essential that your parents or grandparents do not fall under any inadmissibility criteria. Moreover, they must demonstrate to Canadian officials that they intend to leave Canada voluntarily at the end of their authorized stay. This assurance is a key component of the application and helps to ensure compliance with visa regulations.
General Application Process
The application process for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) begins with an interest to sponsor form that must be completed. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will review this submission and determine whether to invite you to apply for sponsorship.
In contrast, the super visa does not require an invitation from IRCC. Instead, you will need to draft a letter inviting your parent(s) or grandparent(s) to Canada. This letter must include a commitment to provide financial support for the entire duration of their visit, a list of individuals in your household—including their names and dates of birth—for family size calculations, and the total number of people counted in that family size.
For residents of Quebec, if your sponsorship application is approved, the IRCC will instruct you to submit an undertaking application to the relevant Quebec immigration ministry. It’s crucial to meet Quebec's specific immigration sponsorship criteria. Additionally, you should not submit this undertaking application until you receive explicit confirmation from IRCC; failing to wait for this instruction may result in your application not being processed by Quebec.
Some other information regarding this
The super visa provides visitor status to its holders, which means they are not permitted to work or study while in Canada. However, super visa holders may be considered residents for tax purposes. This classification requires them to file Canadian income tax returns annually. To assess their residency status for tax implications, they can refer to the Income Tax Folio: S5-F1-C1, or contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) at 1-800-959-8281 within Canada and the U.S., or at 613-940-8495 from abroad.
In contrast, a successful application under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) grants permanent resident status. Permanent residents benefit from many of the same rights as Canadian citizens, including the ability to work and study in Canada, reside there indefinitely, and qualify for provincial health insurance programs and social services. However, it’s important to note that sponsors are responsible for any social assistance received by their sponsored parents or grandparents during the duration of the sponsorship agreement—20 years outside Quebec and 10 years within Quebec.
As for the application timeline, the deadline to apply for the 2024 PGP intake was August 2, 2024. Those who submitted their interest to sponsor in 2020 were randomly selected, and the IRCC currently estimates a processing time of approximately 24 months for these applications. It’s worth noting that submitting an interest to sponsor form does not guarantee an invitation to apply.
On the other hand, there is no set deadline for applying for the super visa. Generally, once an application is submitted, processing typically takes about three months or less.
Family and it's size matters
Calculating family size for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) involves including specific individuals that the sponsor is responsible for. This calculation encompasses the sponsor themselves, their spouse (including separated spouses in most cases) or common-law partner.
If the spouse or partner is co-signing the application, they must be included for all three years; if not, they should only be counted for the years they qualify as a spouse or common-law partner. Dependent children of the sponsor, their spouse or partner, and any grandchildren should also be counted, but only for the years they meet the definition of a dependent child.
Additionally, any other individuals that the sponsor or co-signer has sponsored, for whom an undertaking is still active, should be included. Family members of the sponsored person, such as their spouse or dependent children, should also be counted, regardless of their inclusion in the undertaking.
For those applying for a super visa, the family size count for determining the minimum necessary income includes the host inviting their parent(s) or grandparent(s) to Canada. The host’s spouse or common-law partner must also be included, even if they are separated.
All dependent children of the host and their spouse or partner should be accounted for, along with the host and any other super visa applicants applying simultaneously. Children who meet the definition of a dependent must be counted, regardless of custody or child support arrangements.
Previously approved super visa applicants, who hold a super visa that was included in another letter of invitation from the host or their partner, must also be factored into the family size. Additionally, individuals that the host or co-signer has previously sponsored, as long as the duration of the undertaking is still in effect, should be included.
According to IRCC, a dependent child is defined as someone who is under the age of 22 and does not have a spouse or common-law partner. Individuals aged 22 or older may qualify as “over-age” dependents if they have relied on their parents for financial support since before reaching the age limit and cannot support themselves due to a mental or physical condition.
Fees for this application process
When applying for either the super visa or the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), there are specific fees associated with each application. For the super visa, there is a visitor visa fee of $100, which is paid at the time of application. Additionally, there is a principal applicant processing fee of $545, also due upon application submission.
In contrast, the PGP involves a sponsorship fee of $85, which must be paid when applying. If the application is approved, there is a right of permanent residence fee of $575. Understanding these fees is essential for budgeting your application process effectively.
