Canada Immigration Parents Sponsorship Program

What is Canada Immigration Parents Sponsorship Program (PGP)? PGP allows Canadians and permanent residents (PR) to sponsor their parents/grandparents for Canadian PR.

Family reunification remains a top priority for Canada. As well, parental sponsorship continues to be in high demand.

Canada has progressively increased parental admission levels. At the same time, interest to reunite with parents and grandparents continues to grow.

Benefits of Canada Immigration Parents Sponsorship Program

The PGP allows Canadians and PRs to sponsor their parents/grandparents for Canadian PR. Parents and grandparents approved may later apply for Canadian citizenship.

In sum, your parents and grandparents enjoy full benefits of Canadian permanent residence. These generally include,

• work in Canada
• health care
• full legal protection, and
• become a Canadian citizen

Parents and Grandparents Super Visa

The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa (Super Visa) is another option for reuniting families. Certainly, this option must be considered, especially if you did not receive a PGP invitation.

The Super Visa is the most popular program for parental visits to Canada. Primarily because it is a much faster avenue for extended visits.

The Super Visa is a temporary resident permit. However, it allows parents and grandparents to stay for up to 2 years in Canada per visit.

See What is Canada Super Visa and Requirements?

Secondly, Canada Super Visa is valid for up to 10 years. And thirdly, Super Visa processing time is 8 weeks. Whether approved or not applicants are informed within 8 weeks.

The Super Visa is a popular option because it is available year round. It also has a lower income requirement than Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program.

The Super Visa is ideal for parents in countries that require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to Canada. This is because they can travel freely without re-applying for a TRV after six months.

Super Visa Eligibility requirements

Foremost, eligible parents and grandparents must meet standard visitor visa requirements. In addition, they must:

• Provide a written commitment of financial support from their child or grandchild in Canada;
• Show that the sponsor in Canada meets minimum income requirements;
• Prove they have purchased Canadian health insurance for at least one year; and
• Complete an immigration medical examination.

Depending on nationality, some parents/grandparents may require a TRV in addition to the Super Visa.

See also:

Canada explains how to complete and submit the 2020 PGP interest to sponsor form

Parental sponsorship – 2020 Guidelines

Canada concludes 2020 Parents & Grandparents sponsors lottery

Eligibility requirements for PGP

In general, to be eligible for Canada Immigration Parents Sponsorship Program, sponsors must:

• Complete an Interest to Sponsor form on IRCC’s website during the intake period;
• Be a Canadian or permanent resident, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act;
• Be 18 years of age or older;
• Reside in Canada and provide a proof of status during the Interest to Sponsor phase;
• Exceed the minimum necessary income level and also provide proof of income to IRCC; and
• Sign an undertaking
  • to financially support the sponsored for 20 years; and as well,
  • to repay social assistance benefits paid to sponsored family members (over a period of 20 years).
  • Furthermore, Quebec sponsors must make additional “undertaking” with the province of Quebec.

Applicants have to prove they meet the minimum income requirements. You do so by submitting notices of assessment issued by the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) with your application.

See Sponsor your parents and grandparents: Check if you’re eligible

How much income do I need to sponsor my parents/grandparents?

Minimum Necessary Income requirements for the 2021 PGP if you live outside of Quebec:

Size of Family Unit	MNI 2020	MNI 2019	MNI 2018
2 persons	$32,899	$41,007	$40,379
3 persons	$40,445	$50,414	$49,641
4 persons	$49,106	$61,209	$60,271
5 persons	$55,695	$69,423	$68,358
6 persons	$62,814	$78,296	$77,095
7 persons	$69,935	$87,172	$85,835
Each additional person	$7,121	$8,876	$8,740

And how long does it take to sponsor parents to Canada?

According to the IRCC, average processing time is between 20 and 24 months.

Procedure for Canada Immigration Parents Sponsorship Program

Once invited to apply to sponsor your parents and grandparents, you need two applications:

1. You must apply to become a sponsor, and also
2. Your parents or grandparents must apply for permanent residence.

Submit both the sponsorship and PR applications together online at the same time.

TIPS:

1: Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.

2: Complete an Interest to Sponsor form on IRCC’s website when intake opens.

3: Update as necessary the information you entered in the interest to sponsor forms.

4: IRCC holds a lottery over the course of two weeks to invite sponsors.

Important. Sponsors have 60 days to submit completed sponsorship applications to IRCC.

See Frequently asked questions about sponsorship of parents and grandparents

And see as well:

Sponsor your parents and grandparents: How to apply

Sponsor your parents and grandparents: After you apply

Guide 5772 – Application to Sponsor Parents and Grandparents