Canada's PGP To Re-launch On 2nd Jan, 2014

19 Dec 2013

Chris Alexander, the Citizenship and Immigration Minister of Canada announced that by cutting down the wait times and backlogs on immigration the government is helping bring together families more quickly.

CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) allowed 45,000 Permanent Residents in the FC (Family Class) over the first 6 months in 2013. This represents a raise of 40 per cent over the same period in 2012. This growth can be associated almost completely to the doubling of entrance in the PGP (Parent and Grandparent) category over that period of time.

Canada’s family reunification system is considered to be one of the most reasonable in the world. However, increasing backlogs in the PGP program meant families need to wait around 8 years or more to unite with their loved ones from overseas in Canada. A temporary stop on new applications, along with large admission levels, has helped curtail the backlog. On 2^nd January, 2014, the PGP program re-opens to new applications with a cap on applications and tighter admission criteria, which will keep improving wait times for families and lessen the backlog.

Just ahead of the PGP program re-opening, on 31^st December, 2013, information on applying for the new PGP program, guides and application forms will be made available.