What Is the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)?
The Parents and Grandparents Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence in Canada. Due to high demand, IRCC uses an interest-to-sponsor intake process, inviting a limited number of potential sponsors each year to submit complete applications. BridgePoint Law helps families navigate the competitive intake process and prepare strong sponsorship applications.
Eligibility Requirements for Sponsors
To sponsor a parent or grandparent, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident at least 18 years old and residing in Canada. Unlike spousal sponsorship, PGP requires the sponsor to meet a minimum necessary income (MNI) threshold for three consecutive tax years preceding the application. For 2026 applications, IRCC assesses income from the 2023, 2024, and 2025 tax years. The MNI is calculated based on family size, which includes the sponsor, their dependants, the persons being sponsored, and their dependants. Sponsors must also sign an undertaking to financially support their parents or grandparents for 20 years.
The Interest-to-Sponsor Intake Process
Each year, IRCC opens a portal where eligible sponsors can submit an interest-to-sponsor form during a specified window. IRCC then conducts a random draw from submitted forms and issues invitations to apply (ITAs) to selected sponsors. Only those who receive an ITA may submit a complete sponsorship application. The number of ITAs issued each year is capped, and demand consistently exceeds available spaces. Submitting the interest form promptly and accurately is essential, as errors can result in disqualification.
Minimum Necessary Income (MNI)
The MNI is based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) published by Statistics Canada, plus 30 percent. The exact threshold depends on your family size, including the people you are sponsoring and any previous sponsorship undertakings still in effect. Income is assessed using line 15000 (total income) of your Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency. Both the principal sponsor and their spouse or common-law partner’s income may be counted. Self-employed income, employment income, and most other income sources qualify, but social assistance and Employment Insurance benefits do not count toward the MNI.
Required Documentation
A complete PGP application includes the sponsor’s Notices of Assessment for the required tax years, proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residence, the sponsored person’s identity documents (passport, birth certificate), proof of the parent-child or grandparent-grandchild relationship, police certificates from every country where the applicant lived for six months or more since age 18, immigration medical examination results, and photographs meeting IRCC specifications. All foreign-language documents must be accompanied by certified English or French translations.
Processing Times
PGP processing times have historically ranged from 20 to 36 months, depending on the visa office and application complexity. IRCC has made efforts to reduce backlogs, but processing can be delayed by incomplete documentation, additional background checks, or medical issues. During processing, parents and grandparents may visit Canada on a visitor visa or Super Visa.
The Super Visa Alternative
For families who cannot meet PGP requirements or were not selected in the intake draw, the Super Visa offers a valuable alternative. A Super Visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa valid for up to 10 years that allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years per visit without renewal. Requirements include a letter of invitation from the Canadian child or grandchild, proof that the inviter meets the MNI, private medical insurance from a Canadian company valid for at least one year with minimum coverage of $100,000, and a completed immigration medical exam. The Super Visa does not lead to permanent residence but allows extended family visits.
Sponsorship Undertaking and Financial Obligations
The PGP sponsorship undertaking lasts 20 years from the date the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. During this period, the sponsor is legally responsible for providing financial support covering basic needs including food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities. If the sponsored person receives social assistance, the government may recover the cost from the sponsor. This is a binding obligation that cannot be cancelled, even if the sponsor’s financial circumstances change or the family relationship deteriorates.
How BridgePoint Law Assists with PGP Sponsorship
BridgePoint Law provides comprehensive assistance with the PGP process, including income assessment and eligibility screening, interest-to-sponsor form submission, application preparation and document compilation, Super Visa applications for interim visits, and IAD appeals if a sponsorship is refused. We help families plan multi-year income strategies to meet MNI requirements and ensure every aspect of the application is thoroughly prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much income do I need to sponsor my parents?
The minimum necessary income depends on your total family size. For a family of four (sponsor, spouse, and two parents), the MNI for 2026 applications is approximately $60,000 to $65,000 annually for each of the three assessed tax years. Exact figures are published by IRCC based on updated LICO tables.
Can my spouse’s income count toward the MNI?
Yes. If your spouse or common-law partner co-signs the sponsorship undertaking, their income can be combined with yours to meet the MNI threshold. Both incomes are assessed from Notices of Assessment.
What if I was not selected in the PGP intake draw?
If you are not selected, you may submit a new interest-to-sponsor form when the next intake period opens. In the meantime, you can apply for a Super Visa to allow your parents or grandparents to visit Canada for extended periods of up to five years per visit.
How long does the sponsorship undertaking last?
The undertaking lasts 20 years from the date the sponsored parent or grandparent becomes a permanent resident. This is a legally binding obligation that cannot be cancelled.
Can my parents work in Canada while waiting for permanent residence?
Parents visiting on a visitor visa or Super Visa are not authorized to work in Canada. They would need a separate work permit, which is generally not available in these circumstances. Work authorization comes only after permanent residence is granted.
What happens if my sponsorship application is refused?
If refused, the sponsor may appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) within 30 days. The IAD conducts a fresh review of the case and may consider new evidence. Alternatively, a new application can be submitted in a future intake cycle after addressing the reasons for refusal.