Step 1: Potential sponsors indicate their interest

The interest to sponsor form will be available on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for 3 weeks, from 12 p.m. EDT on October 13, 2020, until 12 p.m. EST on November 3, 2020.

During this time, potential sponsors can submit an online interest to sponsor form to IRCC, indicating that they wish to sponsor their parents and/or grandparents.

Alternative formats for the interest to sponsor form—such as a paper copy, Braille and large print—are available, upon request, to persons with disabilities. Contact the IRCC Client Support Centre at 1-888-242-2100 or by email until November 3, 2020.

For the 2020 Parents and Grandparents Program, a random selection process will be used to ensure that the process is fair and transparent, and that all interested sponsors have an equal opportunity to submit an interest to sponsor form and an equal chance of being invited to apply.

Step 2: Invitations to apply are sent to potential sponsors

Once the interest to sponsor period ends on November 3, 2020, and the form has been removed from the website, IRCC will review all submissions, remove any duplicate entries and randomize the forms.

There will be 1 round of invitations to apply in 2020, with a maximum of 10,000 applications accepted for processing.

Invitations issued by IRCC are not transferable to another sponsor.

Step 3: Applications are submitted

Potential sponsors who are invited to apply will be given 60 days to submit their complete application.

In the event of delays in providing documentation due to service disruptions caused by COVID-19, IRCC may grant a 90-day extension.