01
Invitation to Apply
The sponsor must have received an invitation from IRCC for the applicable intake.
FAMILY
Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
Eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered in Canada under the Indian Act may sponsor qualifying parents and grandparents for permanent residence.
Review Your Family OptionsCURRENT PROGRAM STATUS
New PGP Intake Is Paused Until Further Notice
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is not currently accepting new interest-to-sponsor forms under the Parents and Grandparents Program.
IRCC is also not issuing new invitations to potential sponsors until further notice.
Existing applications already submitted under previous intakes continue to be processed.
Families who are not currently able to apply through the Parents and Grandparents Program may wish to consider whether the Super Visa is an appropriate temporary-residence option.
New Intake Currently Paused
Do not submit a new sponsorship application unless IRCC has invited you to apply under an eligible intake.
Explore Super VisaPARENTS & GRANDPARENTS PROGRAM
What Is the Parents and Grandparents Program?
The Parents and Grandparents Program, commonly called the PGP, is a family sponsorship program that allows eligible Canadian sponsors to sponsor qualifying parents and grandparents for permanent residence.
Unlike many other immigration programs, the PGP does not normally allow eligible sponsors to submit an application whenever they choose.
Applicants generally need to receive an Invitation to Apply from IRCC before a complete sponsorship application can be submitted.
Sponsors must also meet specific financial requirements and accept a long-term undertaking to financially support the people being sponsored.
SPONSOR ELIGIBILITY
Who Can Sponsor Parents or Grandparents?
A potential sponsor must meet several eligibility requirements before they can sponsor through the PGP.
02
At Least 18 Years Old
The sponsor must be at least 18 years old.
03
Live in Canada
The sponsor's primary residential address must be in Canada when the application is submitted and until IRCC makes a decision.
04
Eligible Canadian Status
The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered in Canada under the Indian Act.
05
Meet Income Requirements
The sponsor must demonstrate sufficient income for the applicable family size and required tax years.
06
Sign an Undertaking
The sponsor must agree to financially support the sponsored family members during the applicable undertaking period.
WHO YOU CAN SPONSOR
Parents, Grandparents and Eligible Dependants
The principal applicant must be an eligible parent or grandparent related to the sponsor by blood or adoption.
01
Biological Parents
An eligible sponsor may sponsor their biological parent.
02
Adoptive Parents
A parent related to the sponsor through a qualifying adoption may also be sponsored.
03
Grandparents
Biological or adoptive grandparents may be sponsored where the applicable requirements are met.
04
Spouse or Partner of the Principal Applicant
Depending on the family circumstances, the parent or grandparent's spouse, common-law partner or eligible conjugal partner may be included in the application.
05
Dependent Children
Eligible dependent children of the parent or grandparent may also be included in the application.
06
In-Laws
You cannot use your own invitation to sponsor your spouse or partner's parents. Your spouse or partner would need their own eligibility and invitation to sponsor them.
FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
Sponsors Must Meet an Income Requirement
Parents and grandparents sponsorship has stricter financial requirements than most spouse or dependent-child sponsorship applications.
Under the most recent PGP intake rules, sponsors were required to demonstrate that they met the applicable income requirement for each of the three tax years immediately before the application.
The required amount depends on family size, including the sponsor, people already supported under certain undertakings and the family members being sponsored.
IRCC updates the required income figures, so the applicable amounts should always be checked for the specific intake year.
Three Years of Income
Under the most recent PGP intake rules, IRCC assessed income for each of the three tax years immediately before the application.
Review My IncomeSPOUSE OR PARTNER CO-SIGNER
Combining Household Income
In qualifying cases, the sponsor's spouse or common-law partner may be able to co-sign the sponsorship application.
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Combine Income
A qualifying spouse or common-law partner may co-sign the application so that both incomes can be considered.
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Co-Signer Has Responsibilities
The co-signer also accepts responsibility for the sponsorship undertaking.
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Family Size Still Matters
Adding a co-signer can affect both available income and the number of people included in the family-size calculation.
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Eligibility Must Be Confirmed
The sponsor and co-signer must satisfy the applicable requirements for the sponsorship application.
SPONSOR RESPONSIBILITY
A 20-Year Financial Undertaking
Sponsoring a parent or grandparent creates one of the longest financial undertakings under Canada's family sponsorship system.
Outside Quebec, the undertaking period is currently 20 years beginning when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident.
During this period, the sponsor remains financially responsible for the sponsored family members even if the sponsor's personal circumstances change.
If a sponsored person receives certain social assistance during the undertaking period, the sponsor may be required to repay the government.
20 Years Outside Quebec
The current parent and grandparent undertaking period is 20 years in provinces and territories outside Quebec. Quebec has its own sponsorship rules.
Understand My ResponsibilitiesINVITATION TO APPLY
You Cannot Apply Without an Invitation
The PGP has historically used an interest-to-sponsor and invitation process to manage application volumes.
1
Interest to Sponsor
When IRCC opens an eligible intake, potential sponsors may be required to first submit an interest-to-sponsor form.
2
Invitation
IRCC selects potential sponsors and sends Invitations to Apply according to the process established for that intake.
3
Application Deadline
Invited sponsors must submit a complete application within the deadline stated in their invitation.
4
No Invitation, No Application
A PGP application submitted without a valid invitation will generally be returned.
ALTERNATIVE OPTION
Consider the Super Visa While PGP Is Paused
The Super Visa does not provide permanent residence, but it can be an important option for eligible parents and grandparents who want to spend extended periods with family in Canada.
A Super Visa currently allows eligible parents and grandparents to remain in Canada for extended periods per visit and provides multiple-entry travel over a longer validity period.
The Super Visa has its own eligibility, income, medical insurance and immigration requirements and should be assessed separately from permanent residence sponsorship.
PGP Is Not the Only Option
If permanent residence sponsorship is not currently available, a Super Visa may allow eligible parents or grandparents to spend significant time with their family in Canada.
Learn About Super VisaAPPLICATION PROCESS
How the PGP Process Works
When an eligible intake is available, sponsorship involves both an invitation process and a permanent residence application.
1
Confirm Eligibility
Review sponsor status, residence, family size and income requirements.
2
Receive an Invitation
A valid Invitation to Apply is required before a PGP sponsorship application can be submitted.
3
Prepare Both Applications
Prepare the sponsorship application and the parent or grandparent's permanent residence application.
4
Submit Online
The principal applicant submits the sponsorship and permanent residence applications together through the applicable PR Portal process.
5
Complete IRCC Processing
Complete medical, biometrics, background and any additional documentation requirements requested by IRCC.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
PGP Rules Are Intake-Specific
The Parents and Grandparents Program has changed its intake process several times, and eligibility requirements can depend on the specific intake under which a sponsor was invited.
Income years, invitation procedures, submission deadlines and program availability should therefore be verified against the current IRCC instructions before an application is prepared.
The program's current pause also means that older information about previous invitation rounds should not be treated as evidence that a new application can presently be submitted.
Already Have an Invitation?
AddPlus Immigration Solutions Inc. can review your invitation, family size, income history and supporting documents and help you prepare the sponsorship and permanent residence applications.
Contact UsKEEP GENERATIONS CONNECTED
Explore the Best Option for Your Parents or Grandparents
Whether you already have a PGP invitation or want to understand other options such as the Super Visa, our team can help you review the pathway that fits your family's circumstances.
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