As part of its commitment to family reunification, the Government of Canada offers a dedicated pathway for citizens and permanent residents to bring their loved ones from abroad. The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is one of the most sought-after immigration streams administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), allowing eligible Canadians to sponsor their parents and grandparents for Canada PR (permanent residence).

This comprehensive guide explores every step of the PGP—from checking your eligibility to preparing your sponsored family member for arrival through Canada immigration.

What It Means to Be a Sponsor

When you sponsor your parents or grandparents under the PGP, you commit to financially supporting them so they do not need social assistance from the government.

As a sponsor, you must:

· Sign an undertaking agreement promising to support your sponsored family members for:

o 20 years (for most provinces)

o 10 years if you live in Quebec

· Repay any social assistance they receive during the undertaking period

· Provide basic needs like food, shelter, and health care not covered by public services

This commitment is legally binding, and you are still responsible even if your financial situation changes or your relationship with the sponsored person breaks down.

Check If You’re Eligible

To qualify as a sponsor, you must:

· Be 18 years or older

· Live in Canada

· Be a Canadian citizen, Canada PR holder, or registered under the Canadian Indian Act

· Meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for each of the past 3 taxation years

· Agree to financially support the sponsored person

Minimum Income Requirements are based on the number of people you will be financially responsible for, including your own household and all people you are sponsoring.

You must provide Notices of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to prove your income.

If needed, you can include a co-signer, such as your spouse or common-law partner, to help meet the income requirements.

Income Requirements for the Sponsor

Canada’s Income Requirements for Sponsoring Parents and Grandparents (IRCC)

In 2025, Canadian citizens and Canada PR holders aiming to reunite with their parents and grandparents through the PGP must meet specific income criteria. These requirements ensure that sponsors can financially support their family members without relying on public assistance.

Understanding the Income Requirements

To sponsor parents or grandparents, applicants must demonstrate sufficient income to support all individuals they will be financially responsible for. This is assessed over the three tax years preceding the application. For the 2024 intake, the relevant tax years are 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Note: Due to the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 income requirement was adjusted to the minimum necessary income, excluding the usual 30% addition. Additionally, certain benefits like regular Employment Insurance and COVID-19-related benefits were considered in the income calculation for that year.

Calculating Family Size

Determining the correct family size is crucial, as it directly influences the income requirement. Sponsors should include:

· Themselves and their spouse or common-law partner (if applicable)

· Their dependent children and those of their spouse or partner

· Any individuals previously sponsored, for whom the sponsorship agreement is still in effect

· The parents or grandparents being sponsored, along with their dependents

Co-signing with a Spouse or Partner

If a sponsor's income alone doesn't meet the required threshold, their spouse or common-law partner can co-sign the application. The co-signer must:

· Meet the same eligibility criteria as the sponsor

· Provide proof of income for the same three tax years

· Agree to the financial responsibilities of the sponsorship

Proof of Income

Sponsors and co-signers must submit Notices of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the relevant tax years. These documents verify the total income and ensure it meets the required thresholds.

Special Considerations for Quebec Residents

Applicants residing in Quebec are subject to the province's specific income requirements. After federal approval, these sponsors must also obtain approval from Quebec's Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).

For detailed information and updates on the Parents and Grandparents Program, visit the official IRCC website

Who You Can Sponsor

You can sponsor:

· Your own parents or grandparents

· Your spouse’s or partner’s parents or grandparents

· Those related by blood or adoption

· If divorced, both biological parents and their spouses

You cannot sponsor:

· In-laws not legally recognized as your parents/grandparents

· Individuals barred from entering Canada

· A parent or grandparent who is inadmissible for medical, criminal, or security reasons

Submit Your Interest to Sponsor Form

Before applying, you must submit an online “Interest to Sponsor” form during the intake period announced by IRCC. While the most recent intake was based on 2020 submissions, new opportunities are expected in 2025, especially as interest in Hong Kong immigration to Canada continues to grow among families seeking reunification.

Find Out If You’re Invited to Apply

IRCC conducts a random lottery from the pool of submitted interest forms.

If you’re selected:

· You’ll receive an invitation to apply (ITA) via email

· You must submit your full application within 60 days

· If not invited, consider applying for a Canada visa under the Super Visa program

In 2024, IRCC issued 35,700 invitations to accept 20,500 applications. In 2025, the government plans to accept up to 10,000 complete applications for sponsorship under the PGP.

How to Apply

If invited, you must submit:

· The sponsorship application and

· The permanent residence application for your parents/grandparents

Applications must be submitted through:

· The Permanent Residence Portal (if applying yourself)

· The Representative PR Portal (if using an immigration consultant or lawyer)

Required documents include:

· IMM 5771 Document Checklist

· CRA income proof

· Birth certificates or relationship proof

· Identity documents

· Undertaking and agreement forms

Fees:

· $1,140 per parent or grandparent

· $85 per person for biometrics

After You Apply

Once you submit your application:

1. You receive an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR)

2. IRCC may request additional documents or biometrics

3. A medical exam may be required

4. IRCC reviews sponsor eligibility and applicant admissibility

Processing times:

· Up to 24 months for non-Quebec applications

· Up to 48 months for Quebec-based applications

Track progress via the IRCC online portal.

Prepare Your Arrival

Once approved:

· Your family will receive a Canada visa and Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)

· They’ll receive landing instructions

Before arrival, ensure they carry:

· Valid travel documents

· COPR and immigration Canada papers

· Proof of relationship

They will become permanent residents after being processed by CBSA at the port of entry.

Super Visa: An Alternative Option

If not selected for PGP, the Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time, with multiple entries allowed over 10 years.

Eligibility:

· Must be a parent/grandparent of a Canadian citizen or Canada PR holder

· Must provide a signed invitation letter

· Proof of $100,000+ medical insurance

· Host must meet MNI

What’s Next?

Although the 2024 PGP intake is closed, it’s essential to:

· Watch for new announcements from IRCC

· Prepare your financial documents

· Consider the Super Visa as an alternative

· Consult a qualified immigration Canada expert

For more updates, follow the official IRCC portal or trusted Canada immigration news sources.

Do I need to hire an immigration consultant if I apply for permanent residence?

You’re not required to hire an immigration consultant to apply for permanent residence, but having one can offer some key benefits.

Whether you complete and submit the application on your own or with help from an immigration professional, your chances of success remain the same—assuming the application is equally strong.

That said, an experienced and trustworthy Canadian immigration consultant can assist you in creating the strongest possible permanent residence (PR) application. They can also offer strategic advice to help you navigate the immigration journey with ease.

A qualified immigration consultant can also:

Recommend the most suitable immigration program within the immigration system;
Assist in gathering and organizing the necessary documents and information for a solid PR application;
Make sure your application is accurate and avoids errors or misrepresentation; and
Help address any unexpected issues that may come up during the process.

Ultimately, the real value in hiring an immigration consultant lies not in having them fill out forms, but in the tailored guidance and expertise they provide throughout your immigration journey.

Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program: Everything You Need to Know in 2025