Randomized Intake and Selection System for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

Policy effect

Establishes a new randomized selection and intake process under Ministerial Instructions pursuant to section 87.3 of the IRPA for parent and grandparent sponsorship applications under the Family Class, replacing the first-come, first-served paper submission model with an online interest-to-sponsor lottery mechanism within an annual 10,000 application cap. Phase scope: Applies to the 2017 calendar year application intake cycle.

Conditions and exceptions

Validated condition or limit: Establishes a new randomized selection and intake process under Ministerial Instructions pursuant to section 87.3 of the IRPA for parent and grandparent sponsorship applications under the Family Class, replacing the first-come, first-served paper submission model with an online interest-to-sponsor lottery mechanism within an annual 10,000 application cap.

Official source excerpt

Quoted verbatim from the official source below. Ellipses indicate omitted text.

GOVERNMENT NOTICES January 7, 2017 DEPARTMENT OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE PROTECTION ACT Ministerial Instructions with respect to the processing of applications for a permanent resident visa made by parents or grandparents of a sponsor as members of the family class and the processing of sponsorship applications made in relation to those applications These Instructions are published in the Canada Gazette in accordance with subsection 87.3(6) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Act). These Instructions are given, pursuant to section 87.3 and subsections 92(1.1) and (2) of the Act, by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration as, in the opinion of the Minister, these Instructions will best support the attainment of the immigration goals established by the Government of Canada by seeing families reunited in Canada. By using a randomized selection process, sponsors will have the same opportunity of having their application accepted for processing within the 10 000 sponsorship applications accepted for processing in any year.

Review method

Two separate automated exact-claim source reviews

Other Canada changes operative in 2017

• 2017-03-10Establishment of Formal Regulatory Application Process for Ministerial Relief (SOR/2017-38)
• 2017-04-13Repeal of Conditional Permanent Residence for Sponsored Spouses and Partners (SOR/2017-56)
• 2017-05-01Expansion of Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to Select Low-Risk Nationals of Brazil, Bulgaria, and Romania (SOR/2017-53)
• 2017-05-05Formal Regulatory Repeal of the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) and Enactment of Transitional Provisions (SOR/2017-78)
• 2017-05-05Regulatory Framework for Automated Information-Sharing with Five Country Conference Partners (SOR/2017-79)
• 2017-06-06Ministerial Instructions Amending the Ministerial Instructions Respecting the Express Entry System, 2017-1
• 2017-09-06Regulations Amending the Citizenship Regulations, No. 2
• 2017-10-24Increasing the Maximum Age of Dependent Children under the IRPR (SOR/2017-60)
• 2017-12-01Full Visa Exemption for Citizens of Bulgaria and Romania (SOR/2017-246)