Parent and grandparent sponsorship: streamlined access and cap increase for 2019

On August 20, 2018, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced changes to the Parent and grandparent sponsorship process, in an effort towards reuniting more parents and grandparents with their respective families in Canada.

Explicitly, IRCC indicated a cap increase for 2019 to 20,000 complete applications, along with a modified intake process. Eligible potential sponsors will be able to access the "Interest to Sponsor" form online, at the beginning of 2019 (more information from the Government expected in the fall). Instead of randomly selecting the sponsors to apply, IRCC will invite them to submit an application to sponsor their parents and grandparents based on the order in which IRCC received their "Interest to Sponsor" forms (first-come, first-served algorithm).