How to Sponsor Your Parents to Come to Canada in 2026

For many newcomers who have built their lives in Canada, the next priority is reuniting with their parents and grandparents. Canada offers the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) specifically for this purpose, allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence. However, the program is highly competitive, with demand far exceeding available spots each year. This guide explains everything you need to know about sponsoring your parents to Canada in 2026 — from eligibility requirements and income thresholds to alternative options like the super visa.

Overview of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

The Parents and Grandparents Program is a family reunification initiative managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Through this program, you (the sponsor) commit to financially supporting your parents or grandparents after they become permanent residents of Canada. In return, your family members receive the right to live and work permanently in Canada.

The PGP operates on an intake process that has changed over the years. In recent years, IRCC has used an interest-to-sponsor form, where potential sponsors submit their interest during a specific window, and a lottery or first-come-first-served system is used to select who can submit a full application. The number of applications accepted each year has varied but has generally been between 10,000 and 15,000. Understanding the process and preparing in advance is key to maximizing your chances. Our Settlement Checklist can help you stay organized throughout this multi-step journey.

Eligibility Requirements for Sponsors

To sponsor your parents or grandparents for permanent residence in Canada, you must meet the following requirements:

• Status: You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. If you are a permanent resident, you must be living in Canada at the time of sponsorship.
• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Income requirement: You must demonstrate that you meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) threshold for three consecutive tax years immediately before your application. This is based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30%.
• No previous defaults: You must not be in default on any previous sponsorship undertaking or on a previous immigration loan.
• Not in receipt of social assistance: You cannot be receiving social assistance from the government (except for disability-related assistance).
• Not bankrupt: You must not be an undischarged bankrupt.
• No criminal issues: You must not have been convicted of certain criminal offences, particularly those involving violence against family members.

The income requirement is typically the most challenging aspect for sponsors. You can find the complete eligibility details on the IRCC PGP eligibility page.

Understanding the Income Requirements (LICO)

The income requirement for the PGP is based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) — a measure used by Statistics Canada to determine what constitutes a low income. As a sponsor, you must have earned at or above the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) — which is LICO plus 30% — for each of the three most recent tax years. Here is how to calculate it:

How Family Size Affects the Threshold

The MNI depends on the total number of people in your family unit, which includes:

• You (the sponsor)
• Your spouse or common-law partner
• Your dependent children
• The persons you are sponsoring (your parents/grandparents)
• Any other persons you are already supporting through a previous sponsorship

For example, if you have a spouse and two children and are sponsoring two parents, your family size is six people. The MNI threshold for a family of six in a recent year was approximately $76,000 to $80,000 (this changes annually). You must have met this threshold in each of the three preceding tax years — not just the most recent one.

What Income Counts

IRCC uses your total income before taxes as reported on Line 15000 of your income tax return (previously Line 150), minus certain deductions. Income from all sources counts, including employment income, self-employment income, investment income, rental income, and Employment Insurance or other benefits. You can also include the income of a co-signer (usually your spouse or common-law partner, if they agree to co-sign the sponsorship undertaking). Make sure your tax returns are filed accurately and on time for all three years, as IRCC will verify your income directly with the CRA.

Tips for Meeting the Income Requirement

• Start planning early — you need three years of qualifying income, so if you are not yet at the threshold, you have time to work toward it.
• Include your spouse's or common-law partner's income if they are willing to co-sign.
• Ensure all tax returns are filed and there are no outstanding balances with the CRA.
• Keep records of all income sources, including side jobs or freelance work.

The Application Process Step by Step

The PGP application process involves several stages. Here is what to expect in 2026:

Step 1: Submit an Interest to Sponsor Form

IRCC typically opens an intake window once per year (usually in the fall or early winter), during which potential sponsors submit an interest to sponsor form online. This form is relatively simple — you provide basic identification and contact information. After the window closes, IRCC uses a lottery or selection system to choose which sponsors will be invited to submit a full application.

Step 2: Receive an Invitation to Apply (If Selected)

If you are selected in the lottery, you will receive an invitation to submit a full sponsorship application. You typically have 60 days from the date of the invitation to submit your complete application package.

Step 3: Prepare and Submit Your Application

Your application package must include:

• Completed sponsorship and undertaking forms
• Proof of your Canadian citizenship or permanent residence status
• Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the CRA for each of the three required tax years
• Your parents' or grandparents' immigration documents (passport, photos, identity documents)
• Medical examination results for your parents/grandparents (from a panel physician designated by IRCC)
• Police clearance certificates for your parents/grandparents from every country they have lived in for six months or more since age 18
• Proof of relationship (birth certificate, family records)
• The applicable processing fees

Our Document Explainer can help you understand each document requirement and what the government is looking for.

Step 4: Wait for Processing

Processing times for PGP applications vary but typically range from 20 to 36 months. During this period, IRCC will verify your income, conduct background checks on your parents/grandparents, and ensure all medical requirements are met. You can check the latest processing times on the IRCC website.

Step 5: Your Parents Receive PR Status

Once approved, your parents or grandparents will receive their Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). If they are outside Canada, they will also receive a permanent resident visa to travel to Canada. Upon arrival, they become permanent residents with the right to live and work anywhere in Canada.

The Sponsorship Undertaking: What You Are Committing To

When you sponsor your parents or grandparents, you sign an undertaking — a legal commitment to provide for their basic needs and prevent them from needing social assistance. Understanding this commitment is critical:

• Duration: The undertaking lasts for 20 years from the date your parents or grandparents become permanent residents. This is one of the longest sponsorship undertaking periods in Canadian immigration.
• Financial support: You agree to provide food, clothing, shelter, and other basic needs. If your sponsored parents receive social assistance during the undertaking period, the government can take legal action to recover those costs from you.
• Binding regardless of relationship changes: Even if your relationship with your parents deteriorates, you are still legally bound by the undertaking. Divorce, separation, or family conflict does not release you from this obligation.
• Healthcare: In most provinces, sponsored parents become eligible for provincial health insurance. However, there may be a waiting period (typically three months), during which you should arrange private health insurance for them.

This is a serious, long-term commitment. Make sure you understand and are prepared for the financial responsibility before applying.

The Super Visa: An Alternative While You Wait

Given the high demand and limited spots in the PGP, many newcomers turn to the super visa as an alternative or interim solution. The super visa is a special visitor visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents that allows them to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time without needing to renew their status. Here is how it compares to the PGP:

• Stay duration: Super visa holders can stay in Canada for up to five years per entry (compared to a regular visitor visa, which allows six months).
• No lottery required: You can apply for a super visa at any time — there is no intake window or lottery system.
• Faster processing: Super visa applications are typically processed within a few weeks to a few months, compared to years for PGP.
• Requirements: You must provide a letter of invitation, proof that you meet the income requirement (LICO), proof of Canadian private medical insurance for your parents covering at least $100,000, and a medical examination for your parents.
• Limitations: The super visa does not grant permanent residence. Your parents cannot work in Canada, and they do not have access to provincial healthcare — they must maintain private insurance throughout their stay.

Many families use the super visa to bring their parents to Canada while simultaneously applying for the PGP. This way, your parents can live with you while waiting for their permanent residence application to be processed. Use our AI Chat Assistant to compare the super visa and PGP options for your specific situation.

Tips for a Successful Sponsorship Application

Given how competitive the PGP is, here are practical tips to improve your chances and avoid delays:

• File your taxes early and accurately: Your CRA Notices of Assessment are critical evidence. File on time every year and ensure your reported income accurately reflects all sources. Use our Benefits Finder to discover any programs you may qualify for as you plan your finances.
• Submit during the intake window without delay: When the interest-to-sponsor form opens, submit it as early as possible. In years when IRCC uses a first-come-first-served system instead of a lottery, early submission is essential.
• Prepare documents in advance: Do not wait until you are invited to apply to start gathering documents. Have your parents begin their medical exams and police clearance certificates early, as these can take months to obtain in some countries.
• Double-check everything: Incomplete applications are returned, causing significant delays. Use the IRCC document checklist and review every page before submitting.
• Consider professional help: An immigration consultant or lawyer registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) can help ensure your application is complete and error-free. This is especially valuable if your situation is complex (e.g., previous sponsorship defaults, borderline income, or medical issues).
• Stay informed: IRCC regularly updates program requirements and intake processes. Follow the IRCC family sponsorship page for the latest information.
• Keep your own status valid: If you are a permanent resident (not a citizen), make sure your PR status remains valid throughout the sponsorship process. If your PR card expires, renew it promptly.

Sponsoring your parents or grandparents to join you in Canada is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a newcomer who has established roots in this country. While the process requires patience, financial planning, and meticulous preparation, the result — having your family together under one roof — is worth every effort. Start planning now by ensuring your income meets the requirements, keeping your tax records in order, and familiarizing yourself with the application process. Whether you pursue the PGP, the super visa, or both, family reunification is achievable with the right preparation and persistence. Your parents' new chapter in Canada can begin with the steps you take today.