March 1, 20268 min read

Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship: How to Bring Family to Canada

Multi-generational family happily reunited in Canada, representing parent and grandparent sponsorship.

For many newcomers to Canada, one of the most meaningful milestones is bringing their parents and grandparents to join them. Canada's Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) provides a pathway to permanent residency for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

The PGP Lottery System

IRCC uses a randomized selection (interest to sponsor) system. When IRCC opens the interest to sponsor form, you submit it online and your profile enters a pool. IRCC randomly selects profiles and sends invitations to apply. In recent years, IRCC has invited 10,000-23,500 sponsors annually.

Parent and grandparent immigration to Canada

Sponsor Eligibility Requirements

Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian
Be at least 18 years old
Meet minimum necessary income (MNI) requirements — approximately $48,000-$60,000+ CAD annually depending on family size
Not be receiving social assistance (except disability)

Super Visa: The Faster Alternative

If PGP timelines are too long (typically 20-48 months after invitation), the Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to 5 years at a time. Requirements include your parent/grandparent purchasing Canadian health insurance (minimum $100,000 coverage) and you meeting minimum income requirements. Super Visa processing is typically 4-8 weeks.

Super Visa alternative for parents in Canada

Income Requirements and Undertaking

The income requirement applies to your last 3 years of tax returns. Your income must meet the LICO threshold plus 30% for each of the 3 previous years. If invited to apply, you sign an undertaking — a legally binding promise to support your sponsored relatives financially for up to 20 years after they become PRs.

Diving Deeper into PGP Sponsorship Eligibility and the Application Process

The Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program (PGP) is a highly sought-after pathway for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada. Understanding the intricacies of eligibility and the application process is paramount to a successful application. It's not just about having family in Canada; there are strict criteria that both the sponsor and the sponsored relatives must meet.

Sponsor Eligibility: Meeting the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI)

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The PGP Application Process After Invitation

Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the Parent and Grandparent Program is a significant step. Once invited, you will have a specific deadline, typically 60 days, to submit a complete application package to IRCC. This package includes numerous forms and supporting documents from both the sponsor and the sponsored parents/grandparents. Accuracy and completeness are crucial to avoid delays or refusal.

The application requires meticulous attention to detail, including proof of relationship, identity documents, and financial records. Sponsored individuals will also need to undergo medical examinations by an IRCC-approved panel physician and obtain police certificates from any country they have lived in for six months or more since turning 18. Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) will also be required for the applicants.

Gathering all necessary documents can be time-consuming. WelcomeAide offers tools like our Immigration Checklist to help you organize your paperwork efficiently. Ensure all documents are translated by certified translators if they are not in English or French. For more details on specific requirements, always refer to the official IRCC website at canada.ca/family-sponsorship.

Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) and Co-Signer Options

The Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement is central to PGP eligibility. It ensures sponsors can financially support their family members without relying on social assistance. IRCC uses the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30% to determine the MNI, which varies based on the size of your family unit. Your family size includes yourself, your spouse or common-law partner, your dependent children, and all individuals you are sponsoring, plus any other individuals you have previously sponsored who are still under an undertaking.

To meet the MNI, you must demonstrate that your income has consistently met or exceeded the threshold for the three consecutive tax years preceding your application. If your income alone does not meet the MNI, you may have the option to include your spouse or common-law partner as a co-signer. A co-signer must also meet all sponsor eligibility criteria, including age, residency status, and not receiving social assistance.

When you co-sign, you and your partner become jointly and severally liable for the undertaking, meaning you are both equally responsible for supporting the sponsored individuals for the entire duration. This significantly strengthens the financial application. Use our Cost of Living Calculator to estimate your required income, and consult the official IRCC MNI tables on canada.ca for precise figures based on your family size.

Understanding the Undertaking and Financial Responsibilities

If your PGP application is approved, you will be required to sign an "undertaking." This is a legally binding contract with the Government of Canada (and the province of Quebec if you reside there) where you promise to provide financial support for your sponsored parents or grandparents for a specified period. The standard duration of the undertaking for parents and grandparents is 20 years from the date they become permanent residents.

This undertaking means you are responsible for covering their basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities, even if your financial situation changes. It also covers any provincial social assistance payments they might receive. Importantly, this does not typically cover healthcare costs already covered by provincial health insurance plans, but it would cover services not covered, such as dental care or prescription medications if they are not eligible for other provincial programs.

Failing to uphold your responsibilities under the undertaking can have serious consequences, including legal action by the government to recover any social assistance payments made to your sponsored family members. It can also impact your ability to sponsor other family members in the future. WelcomeAide's Benefits Guide can help you understand what support is available, and our Banking Guide can assist with financial planning for their arrival.

Preparing Your Parents/Grandparents for Life in Canada

Beyond the immigration process, preparing your parents or grandparents for their new life in Canada is essential. This includes practical steps like ensuring they have completed their medical exams and obtained police certificates, which are mandatory components of their application. It also involves pre-arrival planning for their settlement, such as understanding Canada's healthcare system, climate, and public services.

Consider their language proficiency; while not a PGP requirement, knowing English or French will significantly ease their integration. Help them understand Canadian culture, laws, and daily life. Discuss housing arrangements, access to public transportation, and community resources. WelcomeAide offers a Housing Guide and general information to help them settle in comfortably.

Encourage them to connect with newcomer services available in your community. These services often provide free support for language learning, employment assistance, and social integration activities, which can greatly benefit seniors adapting to a new country. Open communication and thorough preparation will make their transition smoother and more enjoyable. You can also explore our Chat with an Advisor tool for personalized settlement advice.

Super Visa vs. PGP: Choosing the Right Path

While both the Super Visa and the PGP aim to bring parents and grandparents to Canada, they serve different purposes. The PGP offers permanent residency, allowing your family members to live, work, and study in Canada indefinitely and eventually apply for citizenship. This is ideal for those seeking to make Canada their long-term home and fully integrate into Canadian society.

The Super Visa, conversely, is a temporary resident visa designed for extended visits, allowing stays of up to five years at a time, with the possibility of renewal for another two years. It's an excellent option for families who want frequent, long visits without the commitment of permanent residency, or while waiting for potential PGP invitations. Crucially, Super Visa holders must maintain private Canadian health insurance with at least $100,000 coverage for one year.

Your choice depends on your family's long-term goals and current needs. If permanent residency is the ultimate aim, the PGP is the direct route, despite its lottery system and longer processing times. If frequent, flexible visits are sufficient, the Super Visa provides a faster and more accessible option. Our Cost of Living Calculator can help you assess the financial implications of each, and our Benefits Guide outlines services available to permanent residents.

What to Do If You Don't Receive a PGP Invitation

It can be disheartening if you don't receive an Invitation to Apply for the Parent and Grandparent Program. Due to high demand, the PGP is highly competitive, and many eligible sponsors are not selected each year. If this happens, remember that you can express your interest to sponsor again during the next intake period, provided IRCC re-opens the form. Staying informed about IRCC announcements is key.

In the interim, the Super Visa remains a highly viable and popular alternative, allowing your parents or grandparents to spend significant time with you in Canada. This option provides flexibility and a quicker processing time compared to the PGP. Ensure you meet the income requirements and they secure the necessary Canadian health insurance for their visit.

Additionally, keep your own eligibility as a sponsor current by maintaining your Canadian citizen or permanent resident status and consistently meeting the Minimum Necessary Income requirements. This ensures you are ready to apply whenever the opportunity arises. WelcomeAide's Chat with an Advisor can provide guidance on other potential pathways or strategies, and our Immigration Checklist can help you prepare for future applications.

Related Resources

WelcomeAide Tools

WelcomeAide Blog — browse all newcomer guides and updates
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