Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program: 2026 Guide

Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program: Complete 2026 Guide

Quick tip: download the official form first, then fill it while following this guide: Download official form (IRCC forms library).

Reuniting with parents and grandparents is one of the most meaningful steps a newcomer to Canada can take. The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for Canadian permanent residence. However, because demand for this program far exceeds the available spaces each year, IRCC uses a randomized intake process to determine who gets to submit a full application. This guide explains how the intake process works, what the income requirements are, how the Super Visa works as an alternative, and what obligations you take on as a sponsor.

See also: How to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residence

How the PGP Intake Process Works

The PGP intake is not first-come, first-served. Instead, IRCC opens an online portal and invites potential sponsors to submit an "Interest to Sponsor" form during a set window of time, which is typically announced with little advance notice. Everyone who submits a form during the open window is entered into a random pool. IRCC then selects a set number of potential sponsors from the pool, based on the annual immigration levels plan, and invites them to submit a full sponsorship application.

In recent program years, IRCC has allocated between 15,000 and 32,000 spots per year for the PGP. Being selected from the pool does not guarantee approval of the sponsorship; it simply means you are invited to apply. If you are not selected in a given year, you must re-enter the pool the next time the intake reopens.

Key facts about the intake process:

• You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 years old to submit an Interest to Sponsor form.
• You can only submit one form per intake period. Submitting more than one form will result in all your submissions being disqualified.
• The form itself only asks for basic information: your name, date of birth, contact information, and the names of the parents or grandparents you wish to sponsor.
• Being selected does not create any legal obligation to proceed with the application, but you must respond to IRCC's invitation within the specified timeframe (typically 60 days) or forfeit your spot.

Follow IRCC's announcements through the official PGP program page to know when the next intake opens.

Income Requirements: LICO+30%

One of the most important eligibility criteria for the PGP is the income requirement. Unlike spousal sponsorship, which has no income threshold, PGP sponsors must demonstrate that their income meets or exceeds the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30 percent for each of the three consecutive tax years before the year of application.

The LICO is a Statistics Canada measure of income that varies based on the size of the household (the number of people you financially support). To calculate whether you meet the requirement, you must count yourself, your spouse or partner if applicable, any dependent children, any other sponsored individuals currently under an active undertaking, and the parents or grandparents you wish to sponsor.

For example, if your total household for sponsorship purposes would be five people, you would look up the LICO for a family of five and then multiply that number by 1.30. Your income (or combined income if you have a co-signer) must meet or exceed that threshold for each of the last three tax years. IRCC updates the LICO thresholds annually. The current thresholds are published on the IRCC eligibility page for the PGP.

Evidence of income typically includes Canadian tax returns (Notice of Assessment or proof of income statement from the CRA) for the three required years. If you filed taxes but owe money, you should ensure your tax situation is in good standing before applying.

Co-Signers

If you do not meet the income requirement on your own, you may be able to use a co-signer. A co-signer must be your spouse or common-law partner who is also a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and who lives with you in Canada. The co-signer's income can be combined with yours to meet the LICO+30% threshold. The co-signer also takes on the same sponsorship obligations as you.

Undertaking Obligations

When you sponsor a parent or grandparent, you sign a legal document called an undertaking. This undertaking is a serious financial commitment. Under the undertaking, you agree to:

• Provide financial support for your sponsored relatives so they do not need to apply for most social assistance programs.
• Repay the government for any social assistance that your sponsored relatives receive during the undertaking period.

For parents and grandparents, the undertaking period is 20 years from the date the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. This is significantly longer than the undertaking periods for other family class members (three years for spouses and common-law partners, 10 years for dependent children). This is a major commitment and should not be entered into lightly.

The Super Visa: A Powerful Alternative

Given the limited spaces in the PGP and the possibility of waiting years to be selected, many families use the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa as a practical bridge or alternative. The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to visit Canada for up to five years per entry (as of October 2022 changes), with the visa itself being valid for up to 10 years.

To be eligible for the Super Visa, the host child or grandchild in Canada must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Meet a minimum necessary income threshold (based on LICO, though the LICO+30% is not required for the Super Visa; it is the regular LICO level).
• Provide a signed letter of invitation committing to financially support the visiting parent or grandparent.

The visiting parent or grandparent must also:

• Purchase Canadian medical insurance with at least $100,000 in coverage for at least one year.
• Undergo an immigration medical exam.
• Meet standard admissibility requirements.

The Super Visa does not lead to permanent residence directly, but it allows extended family visits while PGP sponsorship is being pursued. You can find Super Visa application information at canada.ca.

Processing Times and Fees

Once you have been invited to apply and you submit a complete PGP application, processing times have historically ranged from 20 to 36 months or more. IRCC processes applications largely in the order they are received, and times can fluctuate based on application volume and staffing. Always check the IRCC processing times tool for current estimates.

Government fees for the PGP include:

• Application processing fee: $75 CAD for the sponsorship application
• Principal applicant processing fee: $1,050 CAD per person being sponsored
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee: $515 CAD per adult (applicable upon approval)
• Biometrics: $85 CAD per person (or $170 CAD for a family group)

You will also need to budget for medical exams, police certificates, document translations, and any professional fees if you use an immigration consultant or lawyer. For more on the spousal and family sponsorship stream, see our related post: Sponsoring Your Spouse or Common-Law Partner to Canada.

Common Mistakes PGP Sponsors Make

• Submitting multiple Interest to Sponsor forms: This immediately disqualifies all your submissions. Submit exactly one form per intake period.
• Not verifying income for all three tax years: Many sponsors discover too late that their income in one of the three required years was below the threshold. Review your Notices of Assessment for all three years before you apply.
• Not understanding the 20-year undertaking: Some sponsors are not aware of how long the financial commitment lasts and are surprised when they are asked to repay government assistance payments.
• Missing the invitation deadline: If IRCC selects you and you miss the 60-day window to submit your application, you lose your spot and must re-enter the pool.
• Relying only on the PGP without considering the Super Visa: Families who want their parents nearby sooner may benefit from simultaneously pursuing the Super Visa while waiting for a PGP spot.

Practical Next Step: Sign up for IRCC email notifications through the IRCC website so you are alerted when the next PGP intake opens. In the meantime, gather and organize your last three Notices of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) by logging into your account at My CRA Account, and verify that your income meets the LICO+30% threshold for a household of your projected size.

See also: How to Get Your SIN Number in Canada

See also: First-Year Tax Filing Guide