The new measures include:

• Temporary residence visa (TRV) processing times are reduced for spousal applicants.
• New and specific tools for spousal TRV candidates
• A new open work permit is now available for spousal and family class candidates
• Open work permit renewals are available for open work permit holders whose permits expire between August 1st and the end of 2023

Sean Fraser opened the statement by emphasizing that people from visa-required countries who have submitted family class permanent residency (PR) applications are now qualified to do so for Temporary Resident Visas (TRV), which will allow them to travel to Canada and join their sponsor.

He raised concern that despite the fact that the vast majority of these candidates are ultimately granted permanent residency once their application is reviewed, a significant number of them are being rejected on the basis that they are unlikely to return to their native country.

What Does This Mean For Families of TRV Holders?

Fraser continued by highlighting the accomplishment of clearing the backlog of TRV requests for relatives whose applications for permanent residency are currently in process. Over 98% of spouse and children applications for spousal TRV have been approved since Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a new strategy. Due to this, they are able to spend time with their family while their applications for PR are being processed.

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) applications will now be processed more quickly—within 30 days—thanks to the adoption of this new approach. This innovation makes it easier for family members to make their way to Canada and be reunited with their loved ones.

In addition, IRCC is launching a new program to issue open work permits to applicants who are spouses and dependent children living in Canada with their sponsor and obtaining temporary residence status. In accordance with this initiative, dependents, spouses, and partners may apply for and receive an open work permit as soon as they submit a complete application for permanent residence under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class (SPCLC) or other family class programs.

These open work permits were previously only available for the inland spousal program, but are now available to people applying from outside Canada.

Changes and Extensions For Expiring Open Work Permits

Starting June 7th, open work permit holders whose existing permit expires between August 1st and the end of 2023 can renew their permit for an additional 18 months through a free assisted process, affecting around 25,000 individuals who are currently in Canada and working. This includes the spouses and dependents of most temporary workers, as well as the spouses of international students and permanent residence applicants, as well as their spouses/dependents, who are awaiting the finalization of their permanent status.

Are You Interested in Learning More About Canada’s New Measures for Family Reunification?

If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for Niren and Associates an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Ready for the next step? Book your 1 on 1 consultation now or call us at 1-888-317-5770.

Have a Question related to your Immigration Needs?

Click here to fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment form below and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.

The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we are able to help.

The Canadian government eased immigration rules for Iranians in Canada on Thursday, citing “gross and systematic human rights violations” in Iran.

Iranians will be able to apply for a new permit to study or work in Canada, and certain processing fees will be waived.

They will also be able to apply for a work permit, which will allow them to work in any occupation for any employer of their choice.

“Canada will not stand idly by as the Iranian regime continues its ongoing human rights violations,” Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said.

Canada is still looking into changes to other programs, such as the Human Rights Defenders stream, which is one of the few in the world with a dedicated, permanent immigration program for those who protect and promote human rights.

New Measures Taking Effect

These new facilitative measures are in effect and individuals can apply until February 28, 2024.

This public policy will allow eligible Iranian nationals currently in Canada as temporary residents to apply for the following at no cost:

• extension of their temporary resident status in Canada
• open work permits
• study permits

Eligible applications submitted in Canada will be processed on a priority basis.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in Iran will also be able to apply for the following documents, at no cost, to help facilitate their travel:

• limited-validity Canadian passports
• Canadian citizenship certificates
• permanent resident travel documents

To learn more about the new programs and updates for Iranian temporary residents in Canada, watch our Facebook Live video, here:

Do You Need Help Immigrating to Canada from Iran?

If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal, an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Ready for the next step? Book your 1 on 1 consultation now or call us at 1-888-317-5770.

Have a Question related to your Immigration Needs?

Fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment form and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.

The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we can help.

There are significant demographic changes in Canada and its regions due to this continuous increase in newcomers. For example, in 2016 it was reported that 13.5% of the Canadian population was born in Asia or Africa, and in 2041 it’s predicted that this group will make up 23.1% to 26.9%. In fact, by this period 2 in 5 Canadians are projected to be part of a visible minority group. 

The Youth Have a Higher Projected Percentage of the Population Belonging to a Racialized Community

Interestingly, the predicted proportion of visible minorities is higher among youth, ranging between 44.0% and 49.7 of those aged 0 to 14. In addition to the increase in immigration, a reason for a significant increase in the racialized population is largely due to the rise in immigrant Canadian-born children. The second-generation racialized population was reported to be 2.2 million in 2016 and is predicted to increase between 4.8 million and 6.3 million in 2041. As more time passes by, Canada will continue to grow as a nation of diversity and multiculturalism due to it being such a desired destination for immigrants and a home to their children.

What Ethnicities Will Be Most Common to See Immigrate to Canada by 2041?

The racialized population in Canada consists of many different groups which change and grow over time. In fact, it’s predicted that by 2041 the Black population will double from 1.2 million people in 2016 to over 3.0 million, surpassing the Chinese and Indigenous populations for the first time. On the other hand, while a smaller group, Western Asians and Arabs are the fastest-growing among the racialized population, with a growth rate between 3.8% and 5.2% in 2016 which is predicted to be between 3.7% and 5.1% in 2041. The annual growth rate of the entire racialized population, however, is projected to lie between 2.9% and 4.2%, a striking contrast to the 0.7% to 1.5% annual growth rate of the Canadian population as a whole. It’s evident that the nation is to become a more diverse place in the years to come as people from all over the world immigrate to Canada.

The Envisioned Representation of Diversity Differs Significantly Depending on the Location

In 2041, 80% of Toronto’s population will be composed of individuals who are foreign-born or have immigrant parents. The Greater Toronto Area will remain the most heavily populated metropolitan area in the country and will continue to be home to the largest number of immigrants. The South Asian group will remain the largest racialized group. Depending on the projection scenario, this group could number between 2.3 million and 3.2 million, an increase from 1.0 million in 2016. According to the reference scenario, the South Asian group will make up 38.6% of Toronto’s total racialized population in 2041.

The most populous cities in Canada would still be Vancouver and Montréal, which are situated east and west of Toronto, respectively. The ethnic and cultural composition of these three cities would be very different by 2041, though.

Montreal

In Montréal, the Black population will remain the largest racialized group and will increase from 276,000 in 2016 to 673,000 people by 2041, as per the reference scenario. The Arab population will continue to be the second-largest group, rising from 194,000 people in 2016 to 496,000 people by 2041 under the reference scenario. The reference scenario predicts that these two groups will make up 30.9% and 22.8% of the total racialized population in Montréal by 2041.

Vancouver

The Chinese are the most numerous racialized group in Vancouver, accounting for 504,000 people in 2016. The Chinese population would increase to between 737,000 and 972,000 by 2041, depending on the projection scenario. South Asians would be the second largest group, with a population of between 638,000 and 859,000 in 2041, up from 308,000 in 2016. By 2041, these two groups will account for 31.7% and 27.9% of the total racialized population in Vancouver, respectively.

Are You Interested in Immigrating to Canada?

If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal, an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Ready for the next step? Book your 1-on-1 consultation now or call us at 1-888-317-5770.

Have a Question related to your Immigration Needs?

Fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment form and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.

The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we are able to help.

Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, and Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, announced that Canada is extending work permits to family members of temporary foreign workers. Extending work permit eligibility to family members supporting the principal applicant to Canada will help address labor shortages by aiding employers in finding the workers they require.

What Are the Changes to Work Permit Eligibility?

Prior to this announcement, spouses could only obtain a work permit if the primary applicant worked in a high-skilled occupation. By keeping families together, this temporary measure aims to improve workers’ emotional well-being, overall health, and economic stability. As a result, the worker is expected to integrate better into their overall work community and environment.

Starting in January 2023, Canada will broaden eligibility to work in Canada to spouses and working-age children through a phased approach for workers of all skill levels through a temporary 2-year measure. Families of workers in health care, trades, and hospitality, for example, would be included. It is estimated that as a result of this new approach, family members of more than 200,000 foreign workers could start work in Canada, providing more opportunities for both foreign workers looking to work in Canada and employers addressing their labor needs.

3 Phases to Ensure Success

To ensure its success, the temporary measure will be implemented in three stages, according to the official website of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC):

• Phase 1: Family members of workers coming to Canada through the high-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program will be able to apply for an open work permit.
• Phase 2: Following consultations, phase 2 intends to extend the measure to family members of workers from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program’s low-wage stream.
• Phase 3: This will involve consultation with agricultural partners and stakeholders to determine the operational feasibility of extending the measure to agricultural workers’ families.

Immigration will continue to play an important role in addressing Canada’s labor shortages, and the government will continue to implement policies to assist employers with their hiring needs at all skill levels.

Do You Have Questions About the Changes to Work Permits for Family Members of Temporary Foreign Workers?

If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal, an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Ready for the next step? Book your 1-on-1 consultation now or call us at 1-888-317-5770.

Have a Question related to your Immigration Needs?

Fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment form and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.

The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we are able to help.

The most significant events in Canadian immigration in the last year are discussed below.

Canadian Visa Changes and New Programs 2022

Express Entry Draws

Up until July 6, 2022, all of the Express Entry draws in 2022 had been Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws. After July 6, all draws have been all program draws, meaning they include CEC, FSW, and PNP draws.

There have been a total of 24 Express Entry draws in 2022, the last draw taking place on November 23rd. The CRS cut-off score started high in the beginning of the year at 808 but steadily declined each draw with the latest score being 491. As the CRS score declined, the number of invitations issued grew.

Learn more about Canada’s 2022 Express Entry draws.

Alberta Launches New Foreign Tech Worker Stream

In January 2022, Alberta saw a significant tech worker shortage. In response, The province announced the development of the Accelerated Tech Pathway, which gives highly talented tech workers who wish to live and work in Alberta a fast road to permanent residency.

Learn more about Alberta’s foreign tech worker stream.

New Atlantic Immigration Program Launch

On March 4th, the Government of Canada released details about the newest Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) launch. Formally known as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP), this pathway gives skilled foreign workers and international graduates the opportunity to gain Canada PR.

Canada announced the new permanent Atlantic Immigration Program, recognizing the need to build on this success as the country continues to recover from the pandemic and address labor shortages across Atlantic Canada.

Learn more about the new Atlantic Immigration Program launch.

Saskatchewan Launches New Immigration Pathway for Tech Workers

On March 7, 2022, Saskatchewan launched a new tech-immigration program. This program joined the other streams created for skilled workers, experienced professionals, and entrepreneurs but specifically targets foreign tech workers.

The Tech Talent Pathway was created to fill the labor shortages within particular occupations within Canada’s rapidly growing tech sector.

Learn more about Saskatchewan’s new Immigration Pathway for tech workers.

New Occupation Categories through Express Entry

With a lot of industries experiencing labor shortages country-wide, the IRCC has added 16 occupations that are now eligible through Express Entry through the NOC code update. This will open doors for many foreign workers interested in immigrating to Canada and some of those who are working entry-level jobs.

Learn more about the new occupation categories through Express Entry.

Canada Increases Immigration Fees

On April 30, 2022, Canada increased immigration fees for all permanent residency applications. These fee hikes were implemented for the economic, permit holder, family, and humanitarian categories. This is mainly due to costs to account for inflation in 2020.

Learn more about changes to Canada’s immigration fees.

Canada Increases Length of Stay for Parents and Grandparents Super Visa Holders

As of July 4, 2022, the length of stay for Super Visa holders in Canada will be expanded to five years per entrance.

People who presently hold a Super Visa can also obtain an extension of up to two years while in Canada. This implies that existing Super Visa holders can now stay in Canada for up to seven years in a row.

Learn more about the changes to Canada’s parents and grandparents super visa.

Canada Looks to Fix Immigration Backlog

On August 24, Canada’s Minister of Immigration spoke in Vancouver on IRCC’s ongoing efforts to minimize application backlogs, enhance client satisfaction, and solve labor shortages.

Learn more on updates about Canada’s immigration backlog.

Permanent Residency Program for Relatives of Victims of Air Disasters

Families of the Canadian victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 can now apply for permanent residency through a new program established by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Learn more about the new PR pathway for victims of air disasters.

What to Expect for Canadian Immigration 2023

Canada’s New Immigration Levels Plan

Canada has announced plans to significantly increase the number of immigrants entering the country, with a goal of 500,000 arriving each year by 2025 in order to address a critical labor shortage. According to the new plan, 465,000 people will enter the country from outside the country in 2023, rising to 500,000 in 2025.

Express Entry and PNP targets are also expected to increase in 2023.

On Tuesday, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser unveiled the new plan. It prioritizes admitting more permanent residents with needed work skills and experience while setting more modest goals for family members and refugees. The plan was welcomed by the opposition Conservative Party.

“Make no mistake. This is a massive increase in economic migration to Canada,” Fraser said. “We have not seen such a focus on economic migration as we’ve seen in this immigration levels plan.”

According to the new plan, 465,000 people will enter the country from outside the country in 2023, rising to 500,000 in 2025. In comparison, the Department of Immigration reports that 405,000 permanent residents were admitted last year.

The majority of those new arrivals will be economic immigrants, who will be expected to fill some of the roughly 1 million vacant jobs in various sectors of the economy.

Express Entry and PNP Targets Expected to Increase

The majority of new permanent residents enter the country through economic class programs such as Express Entry or Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs).

The Express Entry landing targets (principal applicants, spouses, and dependents) are expected to increase as follows:

• 82,880 in 2023
• 109,020 in 2024
• 114,000 in 2025

The PNP will continue to be Canada’s leading admissions program for low-income immigrants, and targets will be increased to:

• 105,500  in 2023
• 110,000 in 2024
• 117,500 in 2025

More PGP Admissions

IRCC is also tasked with reuniting families. Following economic class programs, family class sponsorship is the Immigration Levels Plan’s second-largest permanent residence class. Applicants for permanent residence are sponsored for permanent residence by a spouse, partner, children, or other family members under family class immigration programs.

Under the Spouses, Partners, and Children program, Canada will continue to welcome approximately 80,000 new immigrants annually.

The Parents and Grandparents Program’s goals will rise to 28,500 in 2023, 34,000 in 2024, and 36,000 in 2025.

Refugee and Humanitarian Targets Will Be Reduced

Refugees and humanitarian immigrants are also given priority under the Immigration Levels Plan. Canada has a long history of granting asylum to people fleeing dangerous situations in their home countries.

Canada currently has high humanitarian class targets due to ongoing efforts to complete several campaigns, such as welcoming approximately 40,000 Afghan refugees.

The overall refugee class target will be slightly more than 76,000 new arrivals in 2023 and 2024, before falling to 72,750 in 2025.

The humanitarian class target is also decreasing, from nearly 16,000 in 2023 to 8,000 in 2025.

Are You Interested in Immigrating to Canada?

If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal, an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Ready for the next step? Book your 1-on-1 consultation now or call us at 1-888-317-5770.

Have a Question related to your Immigration Needs?

Fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment form and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.

The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we are able to help.

Family reunification is essential in attracting, sustaining, and integrating immigrants who make a contribution to our country’s success. Canada has a very expansive family sponsorship program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their parents and grandparents to the country as permanent residents.

What Does the PGP Do?

The PGP essentially allows Canadian permanent residents and citizens to sponsor their parents and grandparents for a PR (Permanent Residence) visa to come to Canada. Each year, the Canadian government invites a set number of individuals to complete an interest to sponsor form in order to sponsor their parents/grandparents.

Because there are still a number of interest to sponsor forms in the pool of submissions from 2020, IRCC will send invitations to apply to randomly selected potential sponsors from that pool rather than opening a new interest to sponsor form. This is the same strategy used for the 2021 intake. Anyone who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 but did not receive an invitation to apply in January 2021 or September 2021 should check the email address they provided when they submitted their interest.

How to Apply for Canada Parents and Grandparents Program 2022

• Get Your ITA: Through a lottery system, the IRCC will select and invite 23,100 prospective sponsors to apply to sponsor their parents/grandparents. Following that, it will meet its goal of accepting up to 15,000 complete applications.
• Apply Online: Make sure you do not submit an application unless you have received an ITA for the 2022 process. If you apply but do not receive an ITA for the 2022 process, the IRCC will reject your application and will not refund your application fee.

You need to submit both applications (i.e. sponsorship and the permanent residence application) together online at the same time. You must submit your application by December 24, 2022.

Do You Need Help with Your PGP Application?

If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal, an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Ready for the next step? Book your 1-on-1 consultation now or call us at 1-888-317-5770.

Have a Question related to your Immigration Needs?

Fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment form and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.

The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we are able to help.

As of July 4, 2022, the length of stay for Super Visa holders in Canada will be expanded to five years per entrance.

People who presently hold a Super Visa can also obtain an extension of up to two years while in Canada. This implies that existing Super Visa holders can now stay in Canada for up to seven years in a row.

In the future, Canada’s Immigration Minister will have the right to appoint foreign medical insurance providers to offer coverage to Super Visa applicants.

Super Visa holders can currently stay in Canada for up to two years each admission. The Super Visa is a multi-entry visa with a validity period of up to ten years.

Currently, only Canadian insurance carriers may provide the medical coverage required of Super Visa applicants. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that more information would be released at a later date.

Kyle Seeback, a Conservative Party of Canada member, suggested these improvements in Bill C-242. The IRCC’s news statement today indicates that the ruling Liberal Party of Canada supports the revisions and will vote in favor of Bill C-242, which is presently being debated in Parliament.

According to IRCC, roughly 17,000 Super Visas are issued in Canada each year.

Who Is Eligible for the Super Visa?

The Super Visa has been available as an option to the Parents and Grandparents Program for over a decade (PGP). The PGP provides permanent residence, but since it is so popular, the demand to sponsor significantly outnumbers the number of available slots. IRCC receives interest from over 200,000 sponsors each year but only allocates approximately 20,000 immigration places through the PGP. As a result, IRCC has temporarily opened expressions of interest for the PGP in recent years, followed by lotteries that grant invitations to apply for permanent residency under the PGP.

As a result, persons who pass a medical examination and present proof of private health insurance from an approved insurance provider are eligible for the Super Visa. This is done so that Super Visa holders can receive emergency health treatment in Canada without having to pay for it through Canadian taxpayers. Furthermore, host children or grandkids must fulfill the IRCC’s income standards.

Are You Interested in Obtaining a Super Visa?

If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal, an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Ready for the next step? Book your 1-on-1 consultation now or call us at 1-888-317-5770.

Have a Question related to your Immigration Needs?

Fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment form and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.

The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we are able to help.

Will the Case Status Tracker Improve Processing Time?

Canada has announced several efforts to improve the processing time on backlogged immigration applications in 2022. This new case tracker may also improve the processing time and also provide transparency between the IRCC and PR applicants.

Allowing family sponsorship candidates to monitor the progress of their Canadian immigration application might provide them peace of mind as they wait for a response.

Minister Sean Fraser recently announced that the 12-month processing time for sponsorship applications had been reinstated. By the end of 2022, he hopes to resume pre-pandemic procedures for PR card renewals, employment, and study permits.

Below is an example provided by the Government of Canada of what the case status tracker looks like on the IRCC website:

Here you can learn more about these two options and the differences between them!

Inland Spousal Sponsorship

Couples who wish to submit a sponsorship application while already living in Canada must submit an ‘Inland’ application. For example, let’s say an individual has been in Canada on a temporary visa and has found someone and got married but now needs Canada PR to stay with their new spouse in Canada, they would use the inland spousal sponsorship application! If a couple is pursuing an Inland application, the sponsored spouse may become eligible to obtain an open work permit, allowing them to work while waiting for their application results.

Related Article: Inland Spousal Sponsorship

Outland Spousal Sponsorship

Outland spousal sponsorship was designed for those being sponsored residing outside Canada. This program can also be used for those living in Canada but want the freedom to travel in and out of Canada while their application is being processed. The spousal sponsorship process can take up to a year to process so it’s important to choose which option is best for you!

Related Article: Outland Spousal Sponsorship

Spousal Sponsorship Eligibility

Within both inland and outland spousal sponsorship, the petitioning spouse must prove:

• They are legally a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
• They are at least 18 years old
• Can provide the basic needs for spouse including food, clothing, and shelter
• Can support their spouse financially, and
• Can ensure that their spouse does not need financial help from the Canadian government

Are You Interested in Inland or Outland Spousal Sponsorship?

If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal, an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Ready for the next step? Book your 1 on 1 consultation now or call us at 1-888-317-5770.

Have a Question related to your Immigration Needs?

Fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment form and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.

The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we are able to help.

Related Article: When Is the Parent and Grandparent Lottery in 2022?

What To Do When I Receive a PGP Invitation?

If you are invited to apply for sponsorship through a PGP invite, you will need to submit your sponsorship application within 60 days (the deadline will be on your invitation). If you are submitting your application by mail, your application must be received before the deadline date or else your application will be returned to you. Over the next two weeks, it’s important to check ALL folders within your email including promotions, spam, etc.

If you didn’t receive an invitation this year through the Parents and Grandparents program, you can always look to see if you qualify for a Super Visa! This visa allows a parent or grandparent to visit Canada for 2 to 10 years.

What Were The Parents Sponsorship Canada 2022 Lottery Results?

The Parents and Grandparent Program doesn’t necessarily have public lottery results. The only way an entrant would know they have been invited to apply for Canada PR will be through their email inbox.

How to Apply for Sponsorship

Step 1: Receive Invitation to Apply

Step 2: Apply Online

Step 3: Pay Application Fees

Step 4: Submit Additional Information

Sponsorship Application Processing Time

Once you’ve submitted your sponsorship application, you can expect to wait 20 to 24 months.

Are You Interested in Joining The Next PGP Lottery?

After seeing how this year’s PGP program went this year, you may be more interested in applying. When applying through this program, you will need to submit an expression of interest within the submission window. Last year’s submission window was Oct 13 to Nov 3. When

The applicant sponsoring their family is the one that needs to complete the sponsor interest form. You will be able to go back into your form to update your information in case you made a mistake. The information on your interest form must correlate with the information you provided within your application. After you’ve submitted your interest form, you will receive a confirmation number that you cannot give away.

After You’ve Submitted Your Interest Form

After you have submitted your interest form, you will want to write down your confirmation number and copiously check your email for an invitation to apply. The invitations will be sent out once officials have reviewed submissions and deleted duplicate forms.

When Will PGP Reopen?

In 2020, the window to submit an expression of interest form for the PGP program was between Oct 13 to Nov 3. The IRCC hasn’t announced any plans on when the PGP submission window will reopen.

Do You Need Help Completing Your Family Sponsorship Application?

If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Ready for the next step? Book your 1 on 1 consultation now or call us at 1-888-317-5770.

Have a Question related to your Immigration Needs?

Fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment form and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.

The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we are able to help.

Afghan Applications to Come to Canada

At this time Canada is prioritizing Family Reunification and Permanent Residents for Afghans.

Family Reunification

One of Canada’s main immigration pillars is family reunification. We find it important to keep families together, especially during times like this. Canada will be prioritizing applications to sponsor eligible immediate family members in Afghanistan. You can sponsor a family member in Afghanistan if you are a Canadian Citizen or Canadian Permanent Resident.

Permanent Residence

Canada will be prioritizing applications for permanent residence if:

• you’re a Protected Person and your application includes dependent Afghan family members overseas
• you’re an Afghan refugee who has already been resettled in Canada and you’re applying for one of your dependents

Can Afghan Temporary Residents in Canada Stay?

We’ll prioritize your application if

• you’re an Afghan national currently in Canada and you’re applying to extend your current temporary resident status (as a temporary worker, student or visitor)
• you’re applying for temporary residence as a temporary worker, student or visitor, and you meet both of the following requirements:
  • you’re an Afghan national outside Canada
  • you’re an eligible family member of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act

Can Afghan Refugees Immigrate to Canada?

There is a special humanitarian program created that will focus on resettling Afghan nationals who are outside of Afghanistan and do not have a durable solution in a third country. Canada has announced that it will be accepting 20,000 vulnerable Afghan nationals to Canada. The people who qualify for this humanitarian program are:

• women leaders
• human rights advocates
• LGBTI individuals
• journalists and people who assisted Canadian journalists
• immediate family members of one of the above
• extended family members of previously resettled interpreters who assisted the Government of Canada

You do not need to be in Afghanistan or return to Afghanistan to be eligible for this humanitarian program.

How Can Canadians Help Afghan Newcomers?

There are many ways that Canadians can help those Afghans who are going to arrive in Canada. There are several supportive social networks and organizations that are set up to help those settling in Canada.

Through these networks and organizations, refugees can

• get information
• find housing and jobs
• improve their language skills
• get involved in the community
• gain critical cultural knowledge
• receive emotional and other support

If you’d like to donate your time, items, or money to help those arriving in Canada you can contact the Canadian refugee resettlement agency that is providing support to Afghan refugees: afghaniresettlement@ccislive.ca 

How to Sponsor an Afghan Refugee to Canada

You can sponsor an individual Afghan refugee to come to Canada by either working with a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) as a constituent group or through the Group of 5 programs. Currently, the SAH applications are closed.

Group of Five (G5)

The Group of Five (G5) sponsorship program requires five or more Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents to agree to sponsor a refugee living abroad. This would allow a group of Canadians to sponsor a refugee from Afghanistan to Canada.

G5s may only sponsor applicants who are recognized as refugees by either the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) or a foreign state. However, the principal applicant does not need to have refugee status. Having refugee status means that an authorized body has found that an individual meets its refugee definition. This authorized body can either be the UNHCR or the government of the country (i.e., foreign state) where the refugee is now living.

– IRCC

Travel Authorization for Afghan Citizens

The IRCC announced that the Taliban is supporting any Afghan citizens with travel authorizations to leave Afghanistan.

“Canada and its allies have received assurances from the Taliban that Afghan citizens with travel authorizations from other countries will be allowed to leave Afghanistan.”

Legal Immigration Help from Canadian Immigration Consultants

If you are looking for help, particularly in the Afghanistan situation, our immigration consultants can take a look at your case. Whether you are looking to sponsor, stay in Canada, or immigrate permanently, you can call us at +1-647-362-5067 to discuss your options.

The LoE is also your means of sharing with immigration officials any additional information that is not on the submitted papers but that you believe is necessary for them to know.

You do not need to explain each supporting document that you are submitting along with your application – only the important parts you may have been missing or were incorrect in the first place.

When Do I Need to Write a Letter of Explanation Canada?

Here are a few situations when you may find a letter of explanation may be needed:

• Proof of work experience doesn’t include 100% of the required items
• Police certificate wasn’t ready in time
• Proof of funds doesn’t include 100% of the required items

How Do I Write a Letter of Explanation for a Canadian Visa?

Below are some simple guidelines for writing a successful Letter of Explanation:

• Only provide factual information
• Should be short and to the point. (You will want to keep the letter at about 1-2 pages)
• You do not need an index for your documents. The IRCC system gives you a personalized document checklist once you’ve completed all of the fields in the online form.
• You will ONLY want to write the LoE to explain an issue (ex: you didn’t meet the proof of funds or requirements, to explain something in your application which is not clear, etc.)

Remember that your letter will be examined by an immigration agent, not computers, so you will want to write it in a way that will persuade the agent that you have what it takes but just lack this or that piece of paper to prove it.

You will also want to provide any extra proof if it will allow you to build your case – but keep it simple. For example, if your letter of evidence of funds does not include your average account balance for the last six months (as needed), supplement it with bank statements.

How Do I Send a Letter of Explanation?

Make sure the letter of explanation is in the same file format (pdf, docx, etc.) as the document to which it refers. You will want to put the letter on the first page of the file so that it is the first thing the agent reads when they open it. Finally, upload the document normally, on the documents page on your “my application” page, on the “supporting documents” section.

You do not have to merge an LoE with every supporting document you provide along with your application.

Letter of Explanation Format

Below is a sample of a valid letter of explanation:

Do I Need a Letter of Explanation for a Canada Study Permit?

A Letter of Explanation is not a requirement for most when applying to study in Canada as an international student. Some Designated Learning Institutions require students to submit documents as part of the application process, while others do not.

When applying for a study permit, however, it is recommended that you submit a Letter of Explanation since it gives the immigration officer insight into your goals for studying in Canada.

Your LOE might be the deciding factor in getting you a study visa in Canada.

What About for a Canada Visitor Visa?

For the same reasons above, it is always recommended to submit an LoE with your visa application, but not required.

Do You Need Help with Your Canada Visa Application?

If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal, an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Ready for the next step? Book your 1 on 1 consultation now or call us at 1-888-317-5770.

Have a Question related to your Immigration Needs?

Fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment form and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.

The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we are able to help.

On July 20th, 2021, the IRCC had a new release on the Parents and Grandparents program. Canada’s Parent and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a program that allows families to reunite and live in Canada together. Family reunification is a big part of Canada’s immigration plan to attract and retain immigrants coming to Canada.

Record Number of Invites for Parents and Grandparents Program in 2021

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marco E. L. Mendicindo, announced that Canada will invite a record number of people to apply under the Parents and Grandparents Program. The IRCC will be accepting up to 30,000 additional applications than planned which gives even more Canadian citizens and Canadian Permanent Residents the opportunity to reunite with their family members.

This means that there will be a total of 40,000 invitations to apply for the Parent Grandparent Program in 2021. Make sure your application is ready by preparing with an immigration consultant

When Will the Invitations for the PGP Be Sent Out?

Invitations will be sent out over two weeks starting on September 20th, 2021. Those who are invited to apply will have 60 days to submit their application.

If you did not receive an invitation then you can apply for a Super Visa, which allows a parent or grandparent to visit Canada for up to 2 years at a time without the need to renew their status. The Super Visa allows multiple entries for up to 10 years.

How Can I Get a PGP Invitation?

The Parents and Grandparents Program runs with a random invitation system or lottery. To become a potential sponsor you must first complete an Interest to Sponsor form. The invitations submitted in 2020 will be the ones picked for the lottery in 2021. If you did not submit an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020 then you will not receive an invite in 2021.

If you are interested in the Parent and Grandparent Program for 2022, there is not a date yet for the new expression of interest intake for 2021.

New PGP Income Requirement Reduced

Due to the financial burden that COVID-19 has brought to the world, Canada has decided to lower the income requirement first implemented in 2020 for the Parents and Grandparents Program. Both unemployment and government assistance loans can now be included as income towards the minimum requirement set for the PGP. This will give many potential sponsors a greater opportunity to be included in the Parents and Grandparents lottery.

Learn more about the Parent and Grandparent Program.

A maximum of 10,000 applications will be issued and accepted for processing as part of the 2020 Parent and Grandparent program intake.

Those chosen for this lottery have 60 days to submit their sponsorship applications and supporting documents to IRCC. However, the IRCC has stated, “If you can’t get a supporting document due to service disruptions from COVID-19, include an explanation and/or proof you can’t submit it within the 60-day deadline in your application package. If you still don’t have it after the 60 days, you’ll get a 90-day extension.“

The IRCC will launch another PGP lottery sometime later in 2021, but this time they plan to accept a total of 30,000 new applications.

Interested in Applying for the 2021 Parent and Grandparent Lottery?

Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Ready for the next step? Book your 1 on 1 consultation now or call us at 1-888-317-5770.

Have a Question related to your Immigration Needs?

Fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment form and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.

The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we are able to help.