Parents/Grandparents Sponsorship and Start‑Up Rules

Summary#

The Department of Citizenship and Immigration published two sets of Ministerial Instructions that change who and how certain immigration applications are accepted for processing. One set covers sponsorships for parents and grandparents (including a limit of 37,000 sponsorship applications to be processed in 2024). The other set changes how applications under the Start-up Business Class and the Self-employed Persons Class are handled from April 2024 to December 2026.

What it does#

• Parents and grandparents (family class)

  • Allows sponsorship applications tied to interests submitted between October 13, 2020 and November 3, 2020 to be accepted into processing in 2024 if they meet the new conditions.
  • Invitations to apply were (or will be) issued by randomized selection from non-duplicate 2020 interests.
  • Applications must be submitted online, with alternate formats only for people who cannot apply online.
  • Sponsors must submit the same identifying information as in their original interest or explain and document any differences.
  • Sponsors generally have at least 60 calendar days to submit their application after an invitation; a usual additional 30 calendar days can be granted to provide missing documents.
  • A maximum of 37,000 sponsorship applications (combining some 2023 intake items accepted in 2024 and new 2024 intake items) may be accepted for processing in 2024.
  • Applications that don’t meet the conditions will be returned; humanitarian-and‑compassionate requests from outside Canada that accompany unaccepted applications will not be processed.
  • These Instructions repeal earlier ones published January 6, 2024, and take effect on signature (dated April 12, 2024).

• Start-up Business Class and Self-Employed Persons Class

  • For the Start-up Business Class:
    • Applications will be accepted only if supported by a commitment from a designated entity, and only if that same designated entity has not already had 10 other commitment certificates accepted into processing in the same calendar year.
    • Applications backed by higher-value or networked commitments will be prioritized: commitments from an authorized venture capital fund (minimum $200,000), from an authorized angel investor group (minimum $75,000), or from an authorized business incubator that is a member of Canada’s Tech Network or has committed at least $75,000.
    • All applications tied to a given commitment certificate must be received before that commitment is allowed into processing.
  • For the Self‑Employed Persons Class:
    • The number of new applications that will be accepted for processing in a calendar year is set at zero for 2024, 2025, and 2026 (the 2024 period starts when the Instructions take effect).
  • Applications that do not meet the conditions will not be accepted and fees will be returned. Humanitarian-and‑compassionate requests from outside Canada that accompany unaccepted applications will not be processed.
  • These Instructions take effect April 30, 2024, and expire December 31, 2026 (dated April 11, 2024).

Who's affected#

• People who want to sponsor their parents or grandparents and who originally filed an interest to sponsor in October–November 2020. Those invited to apply will need to follow the new online and documentation rules and meet deadlines.
• Family members (parents and grandparents) named in those sponsorship and permanent resident visa applications.
• People planning to apply under the Start-up Business Class — especially applicants who rely on commitments from venture capital funds, angel investor groups, or incubators.
• Designated entities (venture capital funds, angel investor groups, business incubators) that provide commitment certificates for start‑up applicants.
• People planning to apply under the Self‑Employed Persons Class, who should know no new complete applications will be accepted for the next few years.
• It is unclear from the notice how quickly processing will move for those accepted; the Instructions say accepted applications will be processed in order received.

Why it matters#

• If you hoped to sponsor a parent or grandparent, these rules set who can be processed in 2024 and limit the number of sponsorships accepted (37,000). That affects who can expect invitations and when family reunions might proceed.
• For entrepreneur immigration, the Start‑up changes make investor or incubator backing mandatory and favor larger or networked investors ($200,000 or $75,000 thresholds). That will change how early-stage founders plan their immigration route.
• The Self‑Employed pathway is effectively closed to new applicants for 2024–2026, so people who hoped to apply under that class must look at alternative routes or wait.
• The rules emphasize online submissions, strict matching to earlier interest forms, and firm deadlines — so invited sponsors and applicants should check their invitation letters and prepare documents promptly.