Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada. Through this program, families can live together in Canada, provided sponsorship and eligibility requirements are met. The Canadian government does not accept applications year-round. Instead, sponsors must first submit an Interest to Sponsor form when the program opens. Candidates are then selected randomly through an invitation system.
Eligibility Requirements – Sponsor
To sponsor parents or grandparents, the applicant must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Canadian Indian Act
- Reside in Canada
- Meet minimum income requirements for the past 3 tax years
- Sign a financial undertaking agreement to support sponsored relatives for 20 years (varies slightly by province)
Income Requirement
The sponsor must demonstrate income above the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) plus 30% additional income for the previous three taxation years.Proof is usually provided through:- Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notices of Assessment
- Employment records
- Pay stubs and tax documents
Requirements for Parents or Grandparents (Sponsored Persons)
Sponsored parents or grandparents must:
- Pass medical examinations
- Provide police clearance certificates
- Be admissible to Canada under immigration laws
- Have valid health insurance coverage (often required for at least one year after arrival)
Application Process
- Step 1: Submit Interest to Sponsor Form
- Sponsors must submit an online interest form when IRCC opens the intake period.
- Selection is done randomly, not on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Step 2: Receive Invitation
- Selected sponsors receive an invitation from IRCC to submit a complete sponsorship application.
- Step 3: Submit Full Application
- Sponsorship application
- Proof of income
- Identity and relationship documents
- Supporting financial documents
- Step 4: Processing and Approval
- If approved, parents or grandparents can apply for permanent residency.
Processing times for Parent and Grandparent sponsorship applications
The processing time for Parent and Grandparent sponsorship applications is generally 20 to 24 months, though it may vary depending on application accuracy and document verification. During this period, applicants must complete biometrics, medical examinations, and background/security checks. These requirements are part of the overall processing timeline. Processing times may change based on individual case complexity.