Immigration and Citizenship

Canada Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program

What is Canada Parents Sponsorship Program?

Canada Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents over the age of 18 to sponsor their parents and/or grandparents for Canadian permanent residence. The program was originally based on random selection of the parents and grandparents submitted, and hence considered a “parents sponsorship lottery”. The random selection has now been replaced with a “first come, first served” selection system .

In 2019 this first-in, first-served approach replaced the randomized invitations process for IRCC’s Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) that was used last year in 2018. Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Ahmed Hussen, said the Interest to Sponsor form has been improved to include features that can help the department detect duplicate submissions and prospective fraud. 

Canadian citizens and permanent residents who desire to sponsor their parents and/or grandparents in 2019 may begin the process by submitting to IRCC an Interest to Sponsor form on January 28 at NOON Eastern Standard Time. See Sponsorship of Parents and Grandparents.

The expression of interest to sponsor parent form will be available for a limited time and IRCC will invite potential sponsors to submit a complete application, in the order their submissions were received (first come, first served), until the 2019 cap of 20,000 complete applications is reached.

Who is eligible to sponsor a parent or grandparent?

Before you apply, find out how much money you need to sponsor your parents and grandparents. You’ll have to prove you have this income in your application.

You can sponsor your own parents and grandparents if:

If you live outside Quebec

To become a sponsor, you must promise to financially take care of the persons you are sponsoring for a period of time. We call this promise an undertaking.

The undertaking commits you to:

  • providing financial support for your sponsored family members for 20 years, starting when they become permanent residents
  • repaying any provincial social assistance (money from the government) your sponsored family members get during that time

Also, you and your sponsored family members need to agree to certain responsibilities during the undertaking period. We call this the sponsorship agreement.

The sponsorship agreement means that:

  • you’ll provide for the basic needs of your sponsored family members
  • the person you sponsor will make every effort to support themselves and their family members

When you apply, you’ll have to complete and sign a form that includes the undertaking and the sponsorship agreement.

If you live in Quebec

You must meet Quebec’s immigration sponsorship requirements after we approve you as a sponsor. The Quebec ministry in charge of immigration will assess your income.

You must also sign an undertaking with the province of Quebec.

Who can’t sponsor a parent or grandparent?

You can’t sponsor your parents and grandparents if:

  • you’re less than 18 years old
  • you won’t live in Canada when you apply to sponsor your parents and grandparents and/or when your parents and grandparents become permanent residents
    • Your primary residential address must be in Canada when you submit your application and until we make a decision on your application.
  • you’re not a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
  • you’re a temporary resident, that is you’re visiting, studying or working in Canada on a visa or permit
  • your permanent residence application is still in process
    • You must have permanent resident status at the time you submit your sponsorship application.
  • your proof of income shows you don’t have enough money to support the persons you want to sponsor

You may not be eligible to sponsor your parents and grandparents if you:

  • are in jail, prison, or penitentiary
  • didn’t pay back:
    • an immigration loan
    • a performance bond
    • court-ordered family support payments such as alimony or child support F
  • didn’t give the financial support you agreed to when you signed a sponsorship agreement to sponsor someone else in the past
  • declared bankruptcy and are not discharged 
  • receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability
  • were convicted of a violent criminal offence, any offence against a relative or any sexual offence inside or outside Canada
  • can’t legally stay in Canada and must leave the country because you received a Removal Order

There may be other reasons that make you ineligible to sponsor your parents and grandparents. If IRCC determines that you are not eligible to sponsor, you will provided with the reasons. See Sponsor your parents and grandparents: Check if you’re eligible

See also:

Sponsor your parents and grandparents: How to apply

Sponsor your parents and grandparents: After you apply

Guide 5772 – Application to Sponsor Parents and Grandparents


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