August 22, 2018 –This week the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that for 2019, Canada will accept up to 20,000 applications for sponsorship of parents and grandparents.

The problem with the current lottery process is that Immigration was overwhelmed with too many sponsors who were selected, but could not meet the financial requirements. Instead of randomly selecting the sponsors, the 2019 applications will be processed on a first come first served basis. By increasing the actual number of applications that will be processed and giving priority to applications received sooner rather than later, this will hopefully give sponsors who are keenest to sponsor parents and grandparents an advantage.

It is anticipated that the new system will require sponsors to provide additional information earlier in the process. More details regarding the changes to the program will be announced this fall. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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