After a long hiatus, the Federal Government opens the Parents and Grandparents Immigration Lottery Sponsorship Program at noon EDT on October 13, 2020 Applications are being accepted online, however, people with disabilities can request alternative forms (iStock)
Tens of thousands of Canadians and permanent residents of Canada are expected to apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents as the federal government revives its controversial lottery system on Tuesday
After several months of hiatus, the federal government announced last week that it was reinstating the lottery system to distribute coveted sponsorships to reunite immigrant families
The program will open at noon EDT on October 13 and close at noon EST on November 3, 2020
During this three-week window, Canadians and eligible permanent residents can complete online forms to express their interest in bringing their loved ones to Canada
People with disabilities who cannot complete the online application form can apply for the purported interest to sponsor form in another format, such as hard copy, braille or large print, officials said.
At the end of the three week period, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will randomly select potential sponsors and invite them to apply
Those selected will have 60 days to submit their application Normally there are 20,000 places available, but due to the suspension caused by COVID-19 there will be 10,000 places available this year and 30,000 in 2021
Those who are not selected may be eligible to apply for a so-called super visa for their loved ones, which would allow them to come and stay in Canada for up to two years at a time and apply to extend their stay by up to ‘one year at a time
The new lottery system, which has been delayed due to the pandemic, replaced the first-come, first-serve system the Liberals put in place last year, but which has proven even more unpopular than the lottery system that existed before 2018
Immigration, Canada
EbeneNews – CA – Canada opens immigration lottery to sponsor parents and grandparents
