Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship to Canada 2025
Information and Process
This page provides detailed information and process specifics on the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship program in Canada. For a comprehensive overview of all family sponsorship options, including spouses, dependent children, and other relatives, please refer to our main Family Sponsorship in Canada 2025 page.
Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship to Canada 2025
Family reunification is a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration policy, emphasizing the critical role parents and grandparents play in building stronger communities. Reuniting with parents and grandparents not only enhances family stability but enriches Canada’s cultural diversity and societal fabric.
This page offers a comprehensive overview of the information and process for Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) 2025, clearly outlining its purpose, requirements, and processes. Given the complexity and nuances of immigration programs, and the recent change in Canadian government as we have now new prime minister (mark carney), accurate and detailed information is essential for navigating the sponsorship journey successfully.
There have been criticisms regarding the fairness of Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) in recent years, particularly concerning the selection process from the 2020 pool without allowing new applicants to participate. In 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced plans to accept up to 10,000 complete applications for sponsorship under the PGP. However, instead of opening a new intake, IRCC decided to send invitations to apply exclusively to randomly selected potential sponsors from the existing pool of interest-to-sponsor forms submitted in 2020. This approach has been consistent since 2020, with IRCC selecting applicants from the same pool for each subsequent intake.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Parents and Grandparents Program
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a Canadian immigration initiative designed to enable Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada. Through this sponsorship, families can live together in Canada, enhancing emotional well-being and strengthening familial support networks.
Critics of PGP in the past years
Critics argue that this method excludes individuals who have become eligible to sponsor their parents or grandparents after 2020, effectively preventing them from participating in the program. The reliance on the 2020 pool has led to concerns about fairness and accessibility, as it does not accommodate changes in potential sponsors’ circumstances over the years. Additionally, the limited number of applications accepted each year, combined with the backlog from previous intakes, has resulted in prolonged waiting times for many families seeking reunification.
Benefits of Sponsoring Parents and Grandparents:
- Family Unity: Reunites family members, providing emotional and practical support.
- Community Integration: Helps sponsored parents and grandparents fully integrate into Canadian society.
- Economic Contributions: Enables sponsored individuals to participate actively in Canada’s economy, either through employment, volunteering, or caregiving, positively impacting the broader community.
- Access to Services: Sponsored parents and grandparents gain permanent resident status, granting them access to healthcare, social services, education, and employment opportunities.
What is the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)?
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency, facilitating family reunification in Canada.
How can my parents and grandparents join me in Canada?
Parents and grandparents can join you in Canada through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) sponsorship or by applying for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, which allows for extended visits without permanent residency.
Eligibility Requirements for Sponsors and Applicants
To successfully sponsor your parents and grandparents through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), you and your family members must meet specific eligibility criteria outlined by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Sponsor Eligibility Requirements:
Income Table for Sponsors in Canada (Except Quebec)
| Family size | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| 2 people | $44,530 | $43,082 | $32,898 |
| 3 people | $54,743 | $52,965 | $40,444 |
| 4 people | $66,466 | $64,306 | $49,106 |
| 5 people | $75,384 | $72,935 | $55,694 |
| 6 people | $85,020 | $82,259 | $62,814 |
| 7 people | $94,658 | $91,582 | $69,934 |
| If more than 7 people, for each additional person, add: | $9,636 | $9,324 | $7,120 |
Please note that the income information for 2024 has not yet been released by IRCC.
Income Table for Sponsors in Quebec
- You must have had income during the 12 months (1 year) prior to your application and demonstrate that you will continue to have this income for the duration of your undertaking.
- This is a major difference between Quebec and all other provinces, as Quebec requires that your income comply with the conditions during the last 12 months before you apply.
A. Basic income required from the guarantor to meet the basic needs of his own family:
| Total number of family members of your family (including yourself) | Required annual income |
| 1 | $29,047 |
| 2 | $39,211 |
| 3 | $48,409 |
| 4 | $55,678 |
| 5 | $61,967 |
Add $6,289 for each additional dependent.
B. Additional amount required from the guarantor to meet the basic needs of the sponsored persons:
| Number of persons 18 years or older | Number of people under 18 | Gross annual amount required |
| 0 | 1 | $10,055 |
| 0 | 2 | $15,935 |
Add $5,313 for each additional person under 18.
| Number of persons 18 years or older | Number of people under 18 | Gross annual amount required |
| 1 | 0 | $21,246 |
| 1 | 1 | $28,546 |
| 1 | 2 | $32,234 |
Add $3,684 for each additional person under 18.
| Number of persons 18 years or olde | Number of people under 18 | Gross annual amount required |
| 2 | 0 | $31,157 |
| 2 | 1 | $34,902 |
| 2 | 2 | $37,678 |
Add $2,766 for each person under 18 and $9,904 for each additional person aged 18 or over.
These tables where updated on 31-Dec-2024.
Requirements for Parents and Grandparents:
- Relationship Proof: Parents and grandparents must provide legal documentation (birth certificates, marriage certificates, or other official documents) confirming their relationship to the sponsor.
- Medical, Criminal, and Security Checks: Sponsored parents and grandparents must successfully pass medical examinations and criminal and security background checks conducted by Canadian immigration authorities.
Who should be included in the sponsorship application?
Your sponsorship application should include your parents and/or grandparents, as well as any dependent children they may have (your siblings or step-siblings) who meet the IRCC’s definition of a dependent child (typically under 22 years old and unmarried).
Are you eligible to sponsor your parents and grandparents?
To determine if you’re eligible to sponsor your parents and grandparents, verify that you meet all IRCC requirements concerning your age, residency status, living arrangements, and financial situation. Ensure you have maintained sufficient income for the past three tax years as defined by the Low-Income-Cut-Off guidelines.
How to Apply for the PGP (General Overview):
Generally, applying to sponsor your parents or grandparents through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) involves several key steps:
- Gather Documents: Collect all necessary documents, such as proof of income, identity, and your relationship to the sponsored individuals.
- Apply Online: Complete and submit your sponsorship application through IRCC’s Permanent Residence Portal.
- Pay Fees: Ensure you pay the required sponsorship application fees.
- Submit Application: Verify all information and documents carefully for completeness and accuracy before final submission.
However, specific details of the application process, including intake methods, timelines, and selection procedures are currently uncertain. Over the past ten years, IRCC has employed various methods such as first-come-first-served online submission, randomized lottery selection, and recently, selection exclusively from previous pools without accepting new submissions. Due to criticism regarding fairness and accessibility of the current process and potential future policy adjustments, applicants should remain vigilant, regularly checking official IRCC updates or consulting immigration professionals for the latest information.
When will the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) open for the next intake?
IRCC typically announces new intake periods each year on their website. For 2025, IRCC has indicated they will not open new Interest to Sponsor submissions but will select from existing submissions from 2020. Future intake dates are regularly updated by IRCC.
How can I stay informed about the next PGP intake opening?
The most reliable way to stay updated about the PGP intake is by regularly checking the IRCC website, subscribing to official IRCC newsletters, or seeking guidance from professional immigration consultants who monitor immigration developments closely.
Financial Requirements for PGP: Minimum Necessary Income
Meeting financial requirements is a critical part of sponsoring your parents or grandparents through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). IRCC establishes these requirements to ensure sponsors can financially support their family members without relying on social assistance programs.
What is the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI)?
The Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) is the specific income threshold that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires sponsors to meet to be eligible to sponsor their parents and grandparents. The MNI is calculated by taking Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) figures and adding an additional 30%.
How is the minimum necessary income Calculated?
The MNI amount varies depending on your total family size, which includes:
• Yourself (the sponsor)
• Your spouse or common-law partner (if applicable)
• Your dependent children
• Previously sponsored family members who are still financially dependent
• The parents and grandparents you want to sponsor, and any dependents they may have
To qualify as a sponsor, you must show that your income has met or exceeded the MNI for the three consecutive taxation years immediately preceding your sponsorship application. IRCC verifies your income using your Notices of Assessment issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Role of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA):
The CRA plays a crucial role by issuing Notices of Assessment that verify the sponsor’s reported annual income. IRCC uses these assessments to confirm the sponsor’s financial eligibility based on the LICO requirement.
How much income do I need to sponsor my parents and grandparents?
The required income varies based on your family size. For precise figures, refer annually to IRCC’s updated MNI tables, which detail the exact income thresholds based on the number of individuals involved in your sponsorship application.
How do you calculate the Minimum Necessary Income?
To calculate your Minimum Necessary Income, first determine your family size (including dependents and sponsored individuals). Then, consult IRCC’s LICO tables for your specific family size. Your income must meet or exceed this figure consistently for the three years immediately preceding your sponsorship application anywhere in Canada except Quebec where it is calculated based on the last year income.
Super Visa: An Alternative Option:
If you’re unable to sponsor your parents or grandparents through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa offers an excellent alternative. Designed for extended visits, this visa allows parents and grandparents to spend significant amounts of time with their families in Canada without obtaining permanent resident status.
Benefits of the Super Visa:
- Extended Stays: Allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit.
- Multiple Entries: Valid for up to 10 years, enabling multiple extended visits.
- Simplified Health Insurance Requirements: Recent policy updates have made obtaining mandatory health insurance easier and more accessible for applicants.
Super Visa vs. Permanent Residence (PR):
- Duration of Stay: Super Visas permit temporary but extended stays (up to 5 years per visit), whereas Permanent Residence allows permanent settlement.
- Access to Services: Permanent residents have full access to Canadian healthcare, employment, education, and social benefits, while Super Visa holders typically rely on private health insurance and have limited access to employment and social services.
- Processing Times: Super Visa applications are usually processed faster than permanent residency applications under the PGP.
Do your relatives need a Super Visa or PR?
The Super Visa is exclusively available for parents and grandparents who wish to visit Canada for extended periods. Other relatives, such as siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, or other family members, are not eligible for a Super Visa. If these other relatives wish to visit Canada temporarily, they should apply for a regular visitor visa, typically allowing visits of up to six months. For permanent settlement, sponsorship opportunities are limited and usually do not extend beyond spouses, partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents under current IRCC guidelines.
PGP Updates and Program Pauses:
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) has undergone several changes over the past decade, with application intake periods typically occurring once a year during limited time frames. These annual updates reflect the Canadian government’s efforts to manage application volumes and ensure efficient processing.
2014 to 2016: The PGP reopened in 2014 after a moratorium from 2011 to 2013. During this period, a first-come, first-served model was implemented, with application windows opening annually in early January and closing once the application target was reached. This approach led to a rush of submissions, often resulting in the application window closing within days.
2017 to 2018: To address the challenges of the previous model, IRCC introduced a randomized selection process. Interested sponsors submitted an Interest to Sponsor (ITS) form during a specified period, after which IRCC randomly selected a predetermined number of applicants to submit full applications. This lottery system aimed to provide a fairer chance for all potential sponsors.
2019: IRCC reverted to a first-come, first-served online submission system. The application window opened on January 28, 2019, but due to high demand, it closed within minutes, leading to widespread frustration among applicants. This prompted criticisms regarding the fairness and accessibility of the process.
2020 to 2022: In response to previous challenges and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, IRCC returned to the randomized selection model. In 2020, potential sponsors submitted ITS forms during a three-week period in the fall. IRCC then randomly selected applicants from this pool to submit full applications. Notably, the 2020 pool was used for subsequent intakes in 2021 and 2022, without opening new ITS submission periods.
2023 to 2025: Continuing the approach from previous years, IRCC announced that for 2023, invitations to apply would be sent to potential sponsors from the remaining 2020 pool. Between October 10 and 23, 2023, IRCC planned to send 24,200 invitations, aiming to accept up to 15,000 complete applications. Similarly, for 2025, IRCC confirmed that no new applications would be accepted, and invitations would be issued to individuals who submitted their interest forms before the program’s pause was announced.
These annual adjustments highlight the evolving nature of the PGP, with IRCC modifying intake methods to balance demand, processing capacity, and fairness. Potential sponsors should stay informed about the current year’s process, as changes can occur annually.
PGP Recent Updates:
- For 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it will accept up to 10,000 complete applications under the PGP. Notably, IRCC will not open new submissions for the Interest to Sponsor form in 2025.
- Instead, IRCC will continue inviting applicants from the existing pool of Interest to Sponsor forms submitted in 2020, following the approach taken since 2020.
PGP Obligations and Agreements:
When sponsoring parents or grandparents under Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), sponsors must sign a Sponsorship Agreement a legally binding contract between the sponsor and Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Sponsor Obligations:
As a sponsor, you must fulfill several financial and legal obligations toward your sponsored parents or grandparents. These obligations differ slightly depending on whether you reside in Quebec or elsewhere in Canada.
Sponsors Living Outside Quebec:
- Financial Responsibility: You agree to financially support your sponsored parents or grandparents, covering their basic needs, such as food, shelter, clothing, utilities, household supplies, healthcare not covered by public health insurance, and personal necessities.
- Duration of Obligation: You must provide this financial support for 20 years from the date your parents or grandparents become permanent residents.
- Social Assistance: You must ensure your sponsored family members do not rely on government social assistance. If they receive any social assistance during your sponsorship undertaking, you must repay it.
Sponsors Living in Quebec:
- Financial Responsibility: Similar to other provinces, you must commit to financially supporting your sponsored family members, covering their basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, personal necessities, and healthcare not covered by public health insurance.
- Duration of Obligation: In Quebec, your sponsorship obligation lasts for 10 years from the date your sponsored parents or grandparents become permanent residents.
- Social Assistance: You must repay any social assistance provided to your sponsored family members by the Quebec government during your sponsorship period.
In both cases, failing to meet these obligations can lead to serious legal and financial consequences and impact your eligibility for future sponsorships.
What happens if I (the sponsor) fail to meet the obligations of my undertaking?
If you fail to fulfill your sponsorship obligations, you may face legal consequences, including the obligation to repay any government-provided social assistance that your sponsored family members receive. Additionally, failing to meet sponsorship obligations can negatively impact future immigration or sponsorship applications.
Life in Canada for Sponsored Parents and Grandparents:
Upon arriving in Canada as permanent residents through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), your sponsored family members can expect a welcoming, supportive environment that allows them to fully integrate into Canadian society.
What to Expect Upon Arrival:
- Permanent Resident Status: Sponsored parents and grandparents immediately gain permanent resident status, allowing them to live indefinitely in Canada.
- Right to Work: They have the legal right to seek employment without needing additional work permits.
- Access to Healthcare: Sponsored family members become eligible for public healthcare coverage in their respective provinces or territories after meeting any applicable residency requirements (typically within six months of arrival except Quebec where it is after three months of arrival).
- Social Services and Benefits: They have access to various social programs, including settlement services, language classes, community support programs, and senior benefits (subject to eligibility).
Can my parents stay in Canada while waiting for the processing of the sponsorship?
Yes, your parents or grandparents can stay in Canada during the sponsorship application process if they hold a valid temporary resident status (such as a visitor or Super Visa). It’s essential they maintain legal status throughout the processing period.
Can sponsored parents work in Canada?
Yes. Once your parents or grandparents become permanent residents through sponsorship, they automatically have the right to work legally in Canada without needing additional permits.
Why Choose LMRT Immigration Services Firm?
At LMRT Immigration Services, we specialize in assisting clients with the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) sponsorship process. Our team of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of Canadian immigration laws, ensuring that your sponsorship application is handled with the utmost professionalism and care.
Our Commitment to Client Success:
- Personalized Strategies: We analyze each client’s unique situation to develop tailored strategies that align with their specific immigration goals.
- Comprehensive Support: From initial consultation to application submission and beyond, we provide continuous support throughout the sponsorship process.
- Proven Track Record: Our firm has successfully guided numerous clients through the complexities of PGP sponsorship, leading to reunification with their loved ones in Canada.
Client Reviews:
“Thanks to LMRT Immigration Services, I was able to bring my parents to Canada without any hassle. Their expertise and dedication made the entire process smooth and stress-free.”
Adam
Satisfied client
“The team at LMRT provided exceptional service and guidance throughout our sponsorship application. We couldn’t have done it without them!”
Sara
Another happy client
For more information about our services and how we can assist you with your PGP sponsorship, please visit our website: LMRT Immigration Services.
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Disclaimer: Information provided here is subject to change. Always refer to the official IRCC website for the latest immigration updates and requirements.