Immigration Program Parental Sponsorship
Sponsoring Parents and Grandparents in Canada PGP
The process of sponsoring parents and grandparents in Canada is like a lottery. First, all applicants fill out a short form on the government website, expressing their interest in sponsoring their parents. Then, once or twice a year, the immigration department randomly selects and invites potential sponsors to apply for sponsorship until there are enough candidates.
You can become a sponsor if:
You received an invitation to apply
You are at least 18 years old
You are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
You reside in Canada
You meet the financial requirements to support sponsored relatives
You commit to financially supporting your sponsored relatives by signing a financial commitment (undertaking) for 20 years
Who can you sponsor?
Parents, grandparents, related by blood or adoption;
Dependent children of your parents and grandparents
Current spouse or common-law partner of your parents and grandparents
You will not be able to sponsor if you:
- Failed to fulfill obligations to repay back social assistance received by sponsored persons
- Failed to pay immigration loans or alimony
- Declared bankruptcy
- Receive social assistance (except for disability benefits)
- Convicted of violent crimes
- Are under a deportation order or serving time in prison
Financial requirements for the sponsor
To become a sponsor, you must have sufficient income to support yourself and the sponsored relatives. This requires proof that your income meets the minimum requirements (MNI + 30%) for the last 3 tax years before the application date. If you do not meet these requirements on your own, your spouse or common-law partner can become a co-sponsor to combine your income for sponsorship.
How is the financial requirement for parent sponsorship calculated?
The financial requirement for sponsors is calculated based on the number of people to be financially supported and includes:
- Sponsor and immediate family members;
- Sponsored relatives;
- All persons previously sponsored by the sponsor, if the undertaking is still in effect;
- Anyone for whom the spouse has signed an undertaking, if it is still in effect, and if he/she is a co-sponsor of the current application.
The minimum required income (MNI) changes every year. Verify current MNI numbers on the official website.
If you don't currently qualify for sponsorship but want your parents to come visit, you can apply for a Super Visa for them. Super visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time. This visa is also multiple entry and is issued for up to 10 years.
If you need help or advice on this process, please contact us. We will help you every step of the way to ensure your application is successful.
Start the process of reuniting with your loved ones in Canada
Important: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration requirements may change, please check the official resources for up-to-date information.
Answers to frequently asked questions
A complete list of government fees can be found on the official website of IRCC.
Processing times vary depending on the type of application submitted.
Information on processing times can be checked at official website.
If you receive an invitation to apply, you can sponsor both of your parents and all of your grandparents, along with their spouses and dependent children. To do so, you will need to submit separate applications for each person (or couple) you sponsor.
No, you can only sponsor your parents and grandparents. However, you can co-sponsor if your spouse is invited to apply.
A dependent is defined as a person under 22 years of age who is unmarried, or a person over 22 years of age who is financially dependent on a parent due to a physical or mental disability.
A spouse or common-law partner may act as a co-sponsor. They must also meet all the sponsor requirements.
More information on what sources are considered income can be found on official website.
You must provide a Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for each of the three tax years prior to submitting your application.
You will need to notify IRCC of the change and prove that your income meets the updated requirements taking into account your new family size.