Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 157, Number 36: GOVERNMENT NOTICES
September 9, 2023
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 (the 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.
Scope
These Instructions apply to applications for a permanent resident visa of sponsors’ parents or grandparents made under the family class, referred to in paragraphs 117(1)(c) and (d) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the Regulations), respectively, as well as to sponsorship applications made in relation to those applications.
Applications received in 2022
These Instructions authorize sponsorship applications received in 2022 and made in relation to applications for a permanent resident visa, which are made by sponsors’ parents or grandparents under the family class, to be accepted for processing in the 2023 calendar year, which begins on January 1, 2023, and ends on December 31, 2023.
Interests to sponsor
The Department of Citizenship and Immigration (the Department) accepted interests to sponsor from persons who wanted to sponsor a parent or grandparent beginning at noon, Eastern daylight time, on October 13, 2020, and ending at noon, Eastern standard time, on November 3, 2020. The interests to sponsor were to have been completed and submitted to the Department using the electronic means available for this purpose, and if a potential sponsor was unable to submit an interest to sponsor by the electronic means made available by the Department due to a mental or physical disability, the Department made alternative formats available.
Invitations to submit a sponsorship application
Invitations to submit a sponsorship application were issued to potential sponsors in 2022 using a randomized selection process from among all non-duplicate interests to sponsor received in 2020 that were not yet issued an invitation. Invitations issued by the Department were not transferable.
Applications submitted by electronic means
In order to be accepted for processing, any sponsorship or permanent resident visa application referred to in these Instructions that was received in 2022 must have been submitted using electronic means (apply online).
An alternate application format would be provided to foreign nationals, sponsors, and their representatives who are unable to apply online.
Applications received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on or after the coming into force of these Instructions that were not submitted by electronic means will not be accepted and processing fees will be returned, except in the case of foreign nationals, sponsors, or authorized representatives who may submit an application by any other means that is made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose, in accordance with these Instructions.
Conditions — sponsorship applications
In order to be accepted for processing, any sponsorship application referred to in these Instructions that was received in 2022 that has not been returned under section 12 of the Regulations for not meeting the requirements of sections 10 and 11 of the Regulations — for example by not using all the applicable forms provided by the Department in the application package made available on the website of the Department or by not including all information, documents and evidence referred to in paragraph 10(1)(c) of the Regulations — must meet the following conditions:
- (a) the sponsorship application is made by a person who, having indicated — during the period during which they could do so — their interest in making a sponsorship application by means that have been made available by the Department for that purpose, has been invited to make the application;
- (b) the sponsorship application indicates the same information [name, date of birth, address, country of birth, copy of status in Canada document (including its number and must be one from the list of acceptable documents listed in Guide 5772 — Application to Sponsor Parents and Grandparents, made available on the website of the Department and as amended from time to time)] that was included with the interest to sponsor in relation to which the invitation to make a sponsorship application was issued by the Department, or, in the case of any difference in information between the interest to sponsor and the sponsorship application, the application includes an explanation of the reason for the change in information and satisfactory evidence that the application pertains to the same potential sponsor identified on the interest to sponsor in relation to which the invitation to make a sponsorship application was issued by the Department;
- (c) the sponsorship application is accompanied by the documents required by the application package made available on the website of the Department, as amended from time to time; and
- (d) the sponsorship application has been received by the Department no later than by the deadline indicated on the sponsor’s invitation to make a sponsorship application, which shall be at least a period of 60 calendar days from the date the Department sent the sponsor an invitation to make a sponsorship application. If, however, the sponsorship application and fees required to be paid pursuant to the Regulations are received within this period, but some documentation required by these Instructions or the Regulations is missing, the Department shall ordinarily grant the sponsor an extension of an additional 30 calendar days from the date the Department issues the request to submit the missing documentation.
Conditions — permanent resident visa applications
In order to be accepted for processing, any permanent resident visa application referred to in these Instructions that was received in 2022 that has not been returned under section 12 of the Regulations for not meeting the requirements of sections 10 and 11 of the Regulations — for example by not using all the applicable forms provided by the Department in the application package made available on the website of the Department or by not including all information, documents and evidence referred to in paragraph 10(1)(c) of the Regulations — must meet the following conditions:
- (a) the permanent resident visa application is made by an applicant sponsored by a person whose sponsorship application met all of the conditions for processing sponsorship applications established by these Instructions;
- (b) the permanent resident visa application is accompanied by the documents required by the application package made available on the website of the Department, as amended from time to time; and
- (c) the permanent resident visa application has been received by the Department no later than by the deadline indicated on the sponsor’s invitation to make a sponsorship application, which shall be at least a period of 60 calendar days from the date the Department sent the sponsor an invitation to make a sponsorship application. If, however, the permanent resident visa application and fees required to be paid pursuant to the Regulations are received within this period, but some documentation required by these Instructions or the Regulations is missing, the Department shall ordinarily grant the applicant an extension of an additional 30 calendar days from the date the Department issues the request to submit the missing documentation.
Applications received in 2023
These Instructions authorize new sponsorship applications made in relation to applications for a permanent resident visa, which are made by sponsors’ parents or grandparents under the family class to be received in the 2023 calendar year, which begins on January 1, 2023, and ends on December 31, 2023.
Interests to sponsor
The Department accepted interests to sponsor from persons who wanted to sponsor a parent or grandparent beginning at noon, Eastern daylight time, on October 13, 2020, and ending at noon, Eastern standard time, on November 3, 2020. The interests to sponsor were to have been completed and submitted to the Department using the electronic means available for this purpose, and if a potential sponsor was unable to submit an interest to sponsor by the electronic means made available by the Department due to a mental or physical disability, the Department made alternative formats available.
Invitations to submit a sponsorship application
Invitations to submit a sponsorship application will be issued to potential sponsors using a randomized selection process from among non-duplicate interests to sponsor received in 2020 that have not yet been issued an invitation. Invitations issued by the Department are not transferable.
Applications to be submitted by electronic means
In order to be accepted for processing, any sponsorship or permanent resident visa application referred to in these Instructions that was received on or after the coming into force of the Instructions must be submitted using electronic means (apply online).
An alternate application format would be provided to foreign nationals, sponsors, and their representatives who are unable to apply online.
Applications received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on or after the coming into force of these Instructions that were not submitted by electronic means will not be accepted and processing fees will be returned, except in the case of foreign nationals, sponsors or authorized representatives who may submit an application by any other means that is made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose, in accordance with these Instructions.
Conditions — sponsorship applications
In order to be processed, any sponsorship application referred to in these Instructions that is received in 2023 and that has not been returned under section 12 of the Regulations for not meeting the requirements of sections 10 and 11 of the Regulations — for example by not using all the applicable forms provided by the Department in the application package made available on the website of the Department or by not including all information, documents and evidence referred to in paragraph 10(1)(c) of the Regulations — must meet the following conditions:
- (a) the sponsorship application is made by a person who, having indicated — during the period during which they could do so — their interest in making a sponsorship application by means that have been made available by the Department for that purpose, has been invited to make the application;
- (b) the sponsorship application indicates the same information [name, date of birth, address, country of birth, copy of status in Canada document (including its number and must be one from the list of acceptable documents listed in Guide 5772 — Application to Sponsor Parents and Grandparents, made available on the website of the Department and as amended from time to time)] that was included with the interest to sponsor in relation to which the invitation to make a sponsorship application was issued by the Department; or in the case of any difference in information between the interest to sponsor and the sponsorship application, the application includes an explanation of the reason for the change in information and satisfactory evidence that the application pertains to the same potential sponsor identified on the interest to sponsor in relation to which the invitation to make a sponsorship application was issued by the Department;
- (c) in the event duplicate interest to sponsor forms were submitted, the sponsorship application is made in relation to an invitation that is based on the most recent interest to sponsor form accepted by the Department from persons who wanted to sponsor a parent or grandparent beginning at noon, Eastern daylight time, on October 13, 2020, and ending at noon, Eastern standard time, on November 3, 2020;
- (d) the sponsorship application is accompanied by the documents required by the application package made available on the website of the Department, as amended from time to time; and
- (e) the sponsorship application has been received by the Department no later than by the deadline indicated on the sponsor’s invitation to make a sponsorship application, which shall be at least a period of 60 calendar days from the date the Department sent the sponsor an invitation to make a sponsorship application. If, however, the sponsorship application and fees required to be paid pursuant to the Regulations are received within this period, but some documentation required by these Instructions or the Regulations is missing, the Department shall ordinarily grant the sponsor an extension of an additional 30 calendar days from date the Department issues the request to submit the missing documentation.
Conditions — permanent resident visa applications
In order to be processed, any permanent resident visa application referred to in these Instructions that was received in 2023 that has not been returned under section 12 of the Regulations for not meeting the requirements of sections 10 and 11 of the Regulations — for example by not using all the applicable forms provided by the Department in the application package made available on the website of the Department or by not including all information, documents and evidence referred to in paragraph 10(1)(c) of the Regulations — must meet the following conditions:
- (a) the permanent resident visa application is made by an applicant sponsored by a person whose sponsorship application met all of the conditions for processing sponsorship applications established by these Instructions;
- (b) the permanent resident visa application is accompanied by the documents required by the application package made available on the website of the Department, as amended from time to time; and
- (c) the permanent resident visa application has been received by the Department no later than by the deadline indicated on the sponsor’s invitation to make a sponsorship application, which shall be at least a period of 60 calendar days from the date the Department sent the sponsor an invitation to make a sponsorship application. If, however, the permanent resident visa application and fees required to be paid pursuant to the Regulations are received within this period, but some documentation required by these Instructions or the Regulations is missing, the Department shall ordinarily grant the applicant an extension of an additional 30 calendar days from date the Department issues the request to submit the missing documentation.
Number of applications to be accepted for processing in a year
These Instructions authorize a maximum of 16 000 sponsorship applications made in relation to applications for a permanent resident visa, which are made by sponsors’ parents or grandparents under the family class, to be accepted for processing in the 2023 calendar year, which begins on January 1, 2023, and ends on December 31, 2023.
This number includes both 1) sponsorship applications received in 2022, as part of the 2022 intake, and accepted for processing in 2023, and 2) new sponsorship applications received in 2023, as part of the 2023 intake, and accepted for processing in 2023.
This maximum may be amended in accordance with any subsequent Instructions the Minister may provide.
Order for processing
Applications meeting the applicable conditions established by these Instructions are processed in the order in which they are received by the Department.
Humanitarian and compassionate requests
A request made under subsection 25(1) of the Act from outside Canada and that accompanies an application that was not accepted for processing under these Instructions will not be processed.
Disposition of applications
Any application that does not meet the applicable conditions established by these Instructions will be returned.
Repeal
The following Instructions are repealed, effective upon signature:
- (a) 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, published in Part I of the Canada Gazette on October 15, 2022.
Coming into effect
These Instructions take effect upon signature.
Dated on July 7, 2023
The Hon. Sean Fraser, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE
Appointment opportunities
We know that our country is stronger — and our government more effective — when decision-makers reflect Canada’s diversity. The Government of Canada has implemented an appointment process that is transparent and merit-based, strives for gender parity, and ensures that Indigenous peoples and minority groups are properly represented in positions of leadership. We continue to search for Canadians who reflect the values that we all embrace: inclusion, honesty, fiscal prudence, and generosity of spirit. Together, we will build a government as diverse as Canada.
We are equally committed to providing a healthy workplace that supports one’s dignity, self-esteem and the ability to work to one’s full potential. With this in mind, all appointees will be expected to take steps to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful and harassment-free work environment.
The Government of Canada is currently seeking applications from diverse and talented Canadians from across the country who are interested in the following positions.
Current opportunities
The following opportunities for appointments to Governor in Council positions are currently open for applications. Every opportunity is open for a minimum of two weeks from the date of posting on the Governor in Council appointments website.
| Position | Organization | Closing date |
|---|---|---|
| Director | Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada | |
| Director | Bank of Canada | |
| Chairperson | Business Development Bank of Canada | |
| Director | Business Development Bank of Canada | |
| Director | Canada Foundation for Innovation | |
| Director | Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology | |
| Chairperson | Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation | |
| Director | Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation | |
| Director | Canada Revenue Agency | |
| Chairperson | Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization | |
| Director | Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization | |
| Director | Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse | |
| Director | Canadian Commercial Corporation | |
| Chief Executive Officer | Canadian Energy Regulator | |
| Chief Commissioner | Canadian Grain Commission | |
| Chief Commissioner | Canadian Human Rights Commission | |
| Member | Canadian Human Rights Tribunal | |
| Member | Canadian Institutes of Health Research | |
| President | Canadian Institutes of Health Research | |
| Member | Canadian International Trade Tribunal | |
| Member | Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission | |
| President | Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission | |
| Member | Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission | |
| Member | Canadian Statistics Advisory Council | |
| Director | Canadian Tourism Commission | |
| Chairperson | Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board | |
| Member | Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board | |
| Member | Canadian Transportation Agency | |
| Member | Copyright Board | |
| Director | Export Development Canada | |
| Director | First Nations Financial Management Board | |
| Commissioner | First Nations Tax Commission | |
| Director (Federal) | Halifax Port Authority | |
| Member | Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada | |
| Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel | House of Commons | |
| Dispute/Appellate Panellist | Internal Trade Secretariat – Canadian Free Trade Agreement | |
| Commissioner | International Commission on the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas | |
| Commissioner | International Joint Commission | |
| Chairperson | Military Grievances External Review Committee | |
| Vice-Chairperson | Military Grievances External Review Committee | |
| Chairperson | National Advisory Council on Poverty | |
| Member | National Advisory Council on Poverty | |
| Member (Children’s Issues) | National Advisory Council on Poverty | |
| Commissioner | National Battlefields Commission | |
| Chairperson | National Seniors Council | |
| Member | National Seniors Council | |
| Canadian Representative | North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization | |
| Canadian Representative | North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission | |
| Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner | Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner | |
| Member | Patented Medicine Prices Review Board | |
| President | Public Service Commission | |
| Principal | Royal Military College of Canada | |
| Member | Social Sciences and Humanity Research Council | |
| Member | Standards Council of Canada | |
| Director | VIA Rail Canada Inc. |