Pause on Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Intake

Summary#

These are temporary Ministerial Instructions under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that stop the intake of new applications to sponsor parents and grandparents. As of January 1, 2020, no new permanent resident visa applications by parents or grandparents and no related sponsorship applications will be accepted for processing until further notice. The instructions say a new intake process for the parents and grandparents sponsorship program will be developed, with further instructions expected by April 1, 2020.

What it does#

• Stops accepting any new permanent resident visa applications made by parents or grandparents of a sponsor under the family class, and stops accepting related sponsorship applications, effective January 1, 2020, until further notice.
• Puts in place a pause so the government can develop a new application intake management process for the parents and grandparents sponsorship program to be implemented in 2020.
• Says humanitarian and compassionate requests made from outside Canada (under subsection 25(1)) that accompany an application that is not accepted for processing will not be processed.
• States that any sponsorship or related permanent resident visa application that is not accepted for processing will be returned to the sender.
• Notes the Minister intends to issue further instructions by April 1, 2020 at the latest.

Who's affected#

• People in Canada who want to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence.
• Parents and grandparents who would apply from outside Canada.
• Immigration representatives and organizations that assist with family sponsorship applications.
• Settlement and community groups that help families reunite.

The notice applies to applications submitted on or after January 1, 2020. The text does not say it is cancelling applications already accepted for processing before that date.

Why it matters#

• Families hoping to reunite by sponsoring parents or grandparents will face a pause and cannot submit new full applications right now.
• The pause is intended to create a fairer, managed intake system so everyone has the same chance to express interest and be invited to apply.
• People with urgent situations should note that accompanying humanitarian-and‑compassionate requests submitted from outside Canada with a returned application will not be processed under these instructions.
• Applicants told their forms are being returned will need to wait for the new process and follow whatever new steps the government announces.