Parents and Grandparents PR Application Refusal
Navigating the immigration process can be a significant undertaking, particularly when it involves sponsoring family members. The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence in Canada. However, not all applications are approved. Officers often refuse many applications for various reasons, resulting in significant delays or even blocking family reunification. To move forward effectively, you must understand why these refusals happen and identify the steps you can take afterward.
What Is the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)?
The PGP is a family sponsorship program managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It provides a legal pathway for citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence in Canada. Sponsors must meet specific eligibility criteria, including income requirements, age, residency, and legal status in Canada.
To participate in the PGP, individuals must first submit an Interest to Sponsor form. If selected through IRCC’s random invitation system, sponsors then complete a full application with supporting documentation and proof of financial capacity.
Who Is Eligible to Sponsor Under the PGP?
To sponsor under the PGP, the applicant must:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Canadian Indian Act.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Reside in Canada at the time of application.
- I have received an official invitation from IRCC to apply.
- Demonstrate sufficient income to support the sponsored individuals.
- Agree to provide financial support to the sponsored persons for a specified period.
Sponsors must sign a sponsorship agreement and an undertaking. The length of the undertaking varies depending on the province:
- Most provinces require a 20-year financial commitment.
- In Quebec: 10-year financial commitment.
During this time, sponsors are financially responsible for their sponsored parents or grandparents. They must repay any social assistance they receive.
Why Are PGP Applications Refused?
Refusals can occur for several reasons. Common causes include:
- Incomplete documentation: Missing or incorrectly filled-out forms, lack of proper ID or status documentation, or failure to upload required materials.
- Financial ineligibility: Not meeting the minimum income requirement for the last three tax years.
- Health or criminal inadmissibility: If the sponsored individuals have medical conditions deemed to pose a burden on Canada’s healthcare system or have criminal records.
- Incorrect or misleading information: Inconsistencies in forms, discrepancies in income reporting, or providing false information.
- Failure to meet deadlines: Missing submission deadlines or failing to respond to IRCC requests for further information in time.
Even minor oversights can lead to application rejection, which is why attention to detail and a clear understanding of IRCC expectations are vital.
What Should You Do After a Refusal?
Receiving a refusal can be frustrating, but it’s not always the end of the road. You may still have options:
Review the Refusal Letter
Carefully read the reasons provided by IRCC. Understanding the rationale behind the decision is key to determining the next steps.
Request Access to Your File
Through the Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) request process, you can obtain detailed notes from the immigration officer who reviewed your application. It pinpoints the exact concerns.
Seek Professional Assistance
If you believe an error, misinterpretation, or incomplete evidence led to the refusal, consult an immigration representative for guidance. They can assess the case, suggest possible remedies, and help prepare a stronger application if you reapply.
Judicial Review
If you believe the refusal was unjust, you can apply for a judicial review with the Federal Court of Canada. This process does not reexamine the facts but rather determines whether IRCC followed proper legal procedure.
Key Documents Required for a PGP Application
If invited to apply under the PGP, you’ll need to prepare and submit a complete application that includes:
- Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
- Proof of residence in Canada (e.g., utility bills, lease agreements)
- Financial documents showing income for the past three years
- Identity and civil status documents for you and the sponsored persons
- Police clearance certificates from all countries where the sponsored persons lived for more than six months after the age of 18
- Medical exams completed by IRCC-authorized panel physicians
- Digital photographs of the sponsored individuals
- Payment receipts for processing and biometric fees
How to Submit the Application
PGP applications are submitted online using IRCC’s digital permanent residence application portal. Sponsors with disabilities that prevent them from applying online may request a waiver of the paper application requirement by email.
The platform includes step-by-step instructions, and applicants must ensure all forms are accurately completed, signed, and uploaded with the supporting documents.
Application Fees
Submitting an Interest to Sponsor form is free. However, once invited to apply, the following fees apply:
- $1,050 per sponsored adult (parent or grandparent)
- $150 per dependent child included in the application
- $85 biometric fee per individual, or $170 for two or more applicants
You must pay all fees online and include the receipts in the final application package.
Income Requirements for Sponsors
To qualify as a sponsor, you must show income that meets or exceeds IRCC’s minimum income thresholds for the previous three taxation years. For applications submitted in 2021, IRCC reviewed income for 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, IRCC introduced some flexibility for the 2020 tax year. Sponsors could include:
- Regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- Other COVID-19-related temporary income support
Sponsors may also include their spouse’s income (if co-signing) to meet the total household income requirement.
With persistence and accurate information, families can still achieve their goal of reuniting in Canada.
