Sponsor your Parent or Grandparent

Unite Your Family in Canada

Sponsoring your parents or grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada is a way to reunite your family and provide them with the benefits of a life in Canada. This is a highly sought-after program with a specific process that requires careful planning.

Sponsoring your parents or grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada is a way to reunite your family and provide them with the benefits of a life in Canada. This is a highly sought-after program with a specific process that requires careful planning.

 

Understanding the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

The PGP is a permanent residency program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents. It is not an open application process; instead, it operates through a limited intake period and a lottery system.

 

General Requirements (Sponsor)

  • You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.


  • You must be at least 18 years old.


  • You must be living in Canada.


  • You must meet or exceed the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the past three consecutive tax years before you apply. This is a strict requirement, and you must provide official documents from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as proof.

Sponsored Parent or Grandparent

  • Must be legally admissible to Canada.


  • Must be the biological or adopted parent/grandparent of the sponsor.

Financial Undertaking

You must sign a legal agreement (an "undertaking") to financially support your sponsored family members for a period of 20 years from the date they become permanent residents. This includes repaying any social assistance they may receive during this time.

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Eligibility Assessment

We determine if you meet the specific and often high income requirements for the PGP.

Choose the Best Strategy

Our consultants help you prepare all the necessary documents for a PGP application or assist in securing a Super Visa as an alternative.

Alternative Pathways

We provide clear advice on the Super Visa and how it can be a flexible and reliable way to reunite with your family.

Document Compilation

We ensure your financial documents and other evidence are correctly compiled to meet IRCC’s strict requirements.

happy senior couple in Canada for parents and grandparents program or Super Visa

Important Considerations

Application Invitation

You cannot apply directly to sponsor. You must first submit an Expression of Interest to IRCC and wait for an invitation to apply. 

Open Spots

The number of applications accepted each year is limited. If you are not invited to apply one year, you can submit a new Expression of Interest in the next intake period. 

Alternative: The Super Visa

Given the highly competitive nature of the PGP, the Super Visa is a popular and effective alternative for long-term visits.


  • Purpose: The Super Visa is a temporary resident visa that allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to 5 years at a time. The visa itself is valid for up to 10 years.


  • Eligibility: To apply for a Super Visa, the sponsor must meet a lower income threshold (Low-Income Cut-Off or LICO) and the applicant must have private Canadian medical insurance for their stay.


  • No Lottery: The Super Visa program is available year-round and does not operate through a lottery.

Sponsoring other family members

Canadian citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to sponsor other close relatives. If you wish to sponsor a child, parent, or other family member, explore the specific requirements and programs available on our dedicated pages for family sponsorship.

family relaxing together at home after successful Canadian family sponsorship

Frequently Asked Questions

Sponsors must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the last 3 years and provide Notices of Assessment. IRCC is strict—falling short even slightly usually leads to refusal. Co-signers must also meet MNI requirements.

Yes. Job changes do not affect sponsorship as long as you meet the 3-year income requirement based on tax assessments, not current income.

Yes, through Super Visas, valid for up to 5 years per entry. Applicants must maintain insurance and meet financial thresholds.

As long as the household still meets required income based on tax records, the application remains valid. However, IRCC may request updated proof of ability to support dependents.

Medical admissibility rules apply, especially for excessive demand on health services. Some conditions require specialists’ reports or additional testing.

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CanadianVisas.com is operated by Can-Am Immigration Inc., a Canadian immigration consulting firm. We provide access to Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), as well as full representation services and self-guided immigration tools. CanadianVisas.com is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, except as authorized under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Citizenship Act of Canada.