Parent & Grandparent Sponsorship
Sponsor your parents and grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada. An invitation-based program with limited annual intake.
Current Program Status
The 2025 PGP intake is now closed. The last day to apply was October 9, 2025.
New Ministerial Instructions for the PGP came into effect on January 1, 2026. Details on the next intake will be announced on the IRCC website and social media channels when available.
Alternative available: While waiting for the next intake, your parents or grandparents may be eligible for a Super Visa — a multiple-entry visa that allows stays of up to 5 years at a time.Learn about the Super Visa →
About the Program
The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents and grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada. The PGP is an invitation-based program — you must first submit an Interest to Sponsor form when intake opens, and if selected, you will be invited to submit a full sponsorship application. Intake is limited each year and the program is highly competitive. If you are not invited to apply, the Super Visa is an excellent alternative that allows your parents or grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time.
How the PGP Works
Submit an Interest to Sponsor Form
When IRCC announces an intake period, you must submit an Interest to Sponsor form online. This is not a full application — it simply registers your interest in sponsoring your parents or grandparents.
Wait to Be Invited
IRCC randomly selects potential sponsors from the pool of Interest to Sponsor forms received. If you are selected, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) by email.
Submit Your Full Application
If invited, you must submit a complete sponsorship application within the deadline specified in your invitation. Missing the deadline means you will need to re-submit an Interest to Sponsor form in a future intake.
IRCC Reviews Your Application
IRCC assesses your eligibility as a sponsor — including your income for the 3 tax years before your application. If approved, the permanent residence application for your parents or grandparents is processed.
Permanent Residence Approved
If both the sponsorship and PR applications are approved, your parents or grandparents receive their Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and can land in Canada as permanent residents.
Sponsor Eligibility
Who Can Sponsor
✕Who Cannot Sponsor
Who You Can Sponsor
Income Requirements (MNI)
To be eligible to sponsor, you must prove that you meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for each of the 3 tax years before the date you apply. If you cannot meet the income requirement on your own, your spouse or common-law partner can co-sign the application to combine your incomes.
Reference Only: This income table was published for the 2025 PGP intake. Income thresholds for the next intake will be updated by IRCC when announced. Always verify current requirements at canada.ca.
Minimum Necessary Income — 2025 PGP Intake (Reference)
| Family Size | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 people | $47,549 | $44,530 | $43,082 |
| 3 people | $58,456 | $54,743 | $52,965 |
| 4 people | $70,972 | $66,466 | $64,306 |
| 5 people | $80,496 | $75,384 | $72,935 |
| 6 people | $90,784 | $85,020 | $82,259 |
| 7 people | $101,075 | $94,658 | $91,582 |
| Each additional person | +$10,291 | +$9,636 | +$9,324 |
Quebec sponsors: If you live in Quebec, you must meet Quebec's separate income requirements set by the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI).
Calculating Your Family Size
Family size determines which income threshold you must meet. It is calculated on a yearly basis — you count each person in the year they became part of your family. If someone is no longer part of your family when you apply (for example, due to death, legal divorce, or an expired undertaking), do not include them for any of the 3 tax years.
Who to Include in Family Size
Important Rules
Family Size Examples
Family size calculations can be complex — especially in cases involving separations, common-law relationships, multiple sponsored persons, or non-accompanying dependants. Our RCIC will calculate your exact family size before you apply.
Proof of Income
Sponsorship Undertaking
20 years from the date your sponsored family member becomes a permanent resident — or until they become a Canadian citizen, whichever comes first
By signing the undertaking, you commit to financially supporting your sponsored parents or grandparents for 20 years. This means covering their basic needs including food, clothing, shelter, and health needs not covered by public insurance.
The undertaking remains legally binding even if your financial situation changes, your relationship ends, or you move to a different province. Breaking the undertaking can affect your ability to sponsor in the future.
Quebec-Based Sponsors
If you live in Quebec, the PGP application process has an additional step. After IRCC approves your federal sponsorship application, you must also submit an undertaking application to Quebec's Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI).
Quebec's MIFI has reached its maximum number of undertaking applications to sponsor a parent or grandparent until June 25, 2026. IRCC will continue to accept applications from Quebec-based sponsors, but MIFI must issue an undertaking before the PR application can be approved.
Important: Do not submit your undertaking application to Quebec until IRCC tells you to do so. Submitting early means Quebec will not process your application.
Super Visa — Alternative While You Wait
If you are not invited to apply for the PGP — or while you wait for the next intake — your parents or grandparents may be eligible for a Super Visa. The Super Visa allows them to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per entry and is valid for up to 10 years.
| Factor | PGP Sponsorship | Super Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Permanent Residence | Temporary Visa |
| Length of stay | Permanent | Up to 5 years per entry |
| Work authorization | Yes — as a PR | No |
| Path to citizenship | Yes | No |
| Income requirement | MNI for 3 years | Current year MNI |
| Health insurance required | No | Yes — min $100,000 |
| Can apply simultaneously | N/A — invitation based | Yes — apply anytime |
You can apply for a Super Visa for your parents or grandparents at any time — you do not need to wait for a PGP intake. Many families use the Super Visa while waiting for the PGP.
Government Processing Fees
Government fees listed above are effective April 30, 2026 and are set by IRCC. Fees are subject to change without notice. The Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) is recommended to be paid upfront — it is refundable if the application is not approved. Always verify current fees at canada.ca before applying.
IRCC Government Fees — Parent & Grandparent Sponsorship
Effective April 30, 2026
| Fee Item | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor your parent or grandparent (includes sponsorship fee, processing fee, and RPRF) | $1,260 CAD |
| Sponsor your parent or grandparent (without RPRF) | $660 CAD |
| Include spouse or partner of parent or grandparent (includes sponsorship fee, processing fee, and RPRF) | $1,260 CAD |
| Include spouse or partner of parent or grandparent (without RPRF) | $660 CAD |
| Include a dependent child of parent or grandparent (per child) | $180 CAD |
| Biometrics (per person, if required) | $85 CAD |
Important: Government fees are payable directly to IRCC and are separate from Asteco's professional fees. Fees are subject to change by IRCC at any time.
How Asteco Can Help
PGP applications are time-sensitive and highly competitive. Income calculations, family size assessments, and application timing all require careful planning. Our RCIC team monitors IRCC announcements and will alert you when the next intake opens.
Disclaimer: The Parent and Grandparent Program is subject to annual intake limits and Ministerial Instructions that can change at any time. Income thresholds, fees, and program requirements are established by IRCC and are updated regularly. The income table on this page reflects figures published for the 2025 intake — figures for the next intake will differ. Government fees are effective April 30, 2026. This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult our RCIC before making any immigration decisions.