Ministerial Instructions 48 (MI48): Parents and Grandparents

Effective August 4, 2021, new Ministerial Instructions were issued to amend the Ministerial Instructions that came into effect on September 29, 2020 (MI43).

The amendment increases the number of complete parent and grandparent sponsorship applications that will be accepted for processing in 2021 from 10,000 to 40,000.

The amendment removes the 90-day extension to submit missing documentation due to service disruptions caused by COVID-19 for those who apply on or after the coming into force of these Instructions.

Lastly, the amendment sets out conditions for applications to be accepted into processing. In order to be processed, any sponsorship or permanent resident visa application referred to in these Instructions submitted on or after the coming into force of the Instructions must be submitted using electronic means (the applicant must apply online). Potential sponsors or foreign nationals submitting applications referred to in these Instructions who, because of a disability, are unable to meet the requirement to submit an application using electronic means may submit these applications by any other means that is made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose.

• Read the full text of MI48.