Home » Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) stands as a highly sought-after immigration pathway that empowers Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for Canadian permanent residence, fostering family reunification and long-term societal integration.

Eligibility Criteria for PGP Canada

  • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Canadian Indian Act.
  • Possess an official Invitation to Apply (ITA) issued by IRCC.
  • Attain a minimum age of 18.
  • Reside in Canada at the time of submission and throughout processing.
  • Demonstrate adequate income (Minimum Necessary Income plus a specified buffer, where applicable) for the three preceding tax years to support the sponsored family members.
  • Fulfill all stipulated requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and Regulations (IRPR).

Responsibilities and Obligations of Sponsors

Aspiring sponsors embracing the PGP must sign a binding undertaking agreement with IRCC. Sponsors residing outside Quebec commit to financially supporting sponsored family members for 20 years after they receive permanent residency. Additionally, any provincial social assistance received by the sponsored family member during this 20-year period must be fully repaid by the sponsor.

This commitment extends to providing essential needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and medical needs not covered by public health services. For sponsors residing in Quebec, the financial undertaking obligation extends for a period of 10 years from the date the sponsored family member gains permanent residency.

Minimum Income Requirements for Sponsorship

Sponsors must demonstrate sufficient financial capability to support their parents and grandparents in Canada. Sponsors must prove they meet the explicit MNI requirements for the last three consecutive tax years. Co-signers, such as a spouse or common-law partner, can contribute their income from the same three tax years to fulfill the minimum income threshold. Income evaluation is strictly cross-referenced via Notices of Assessment (NOA) issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the three tax years immediately preceding the invitation intake cycle.

The exact income threshold depends on the total family size, including the sponsor, their dependent household, and all individuals currently being sponsored or under an active past undertaking.

Related Links:

Family Class Sponsorship Program
Spouse/Common-Law/Conjugal Partner and Child Sponsorship
Sponsorship of Parents and Grandparents
Canada Super Visa

Sponsorship with a Co-Signer

Spouses or common-law partners can act as co-signers for PGP applications. When a co-signer participates, their combined income contributes to meeting the minimum income requirement. Additionally, the co-signer must mutually pledge long-term financial support and shares equal legal liability for the 20-year undertaking.

Residency Requirement for Sponsors

To sponsor parents or grandparents through the PGP, the sponsor must be a resident of Canada. The application mandates a primary residential address in Canada from the moment of submission until a final decision is reached by IRCC.

Navigating the Invitation Process

To secure an Invitation to Apply under the PGP, sponsors must submit an Interest to Sponsor form through the IRCC PGP portal when an intake window opens. IRCC typically manages intake via a randomized selection process from the existing pool of submissions. Submitting an Interest to Sponsor form does not require initial document uploads, but requires precise declarations of family size and CRA income history to ensure validity if selected.

Documentation and Submission Timelines

Upon receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the PGP Canada, applicants must submit a comprehensive application package within 60 days via the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal. This package includes complete digital application forms, proof of Canadian status, physical presence confirmations, civil status documents, official CRA Notices of Assessment for the relevant three tax years, police clearances for all countries where the sponsored persons resided for over six months after turning 18, medical certificates, biometric data, and proof of payment for government processing fees ($1,050 per adult sponsored and $150 per dependent child). Only individuals with documented disabilities preventing online access can request alternative format processing.

Program Conditions and FAQs

  • No Job Offer or Language Proficiency Required: Sponsored parents and grandparents are not required to demonstrate English or French language skills, nor do they require a job offer to gain PR status.
  • Including Siblings: Dependent siblings under the age of 22 (or older if dependent due to physical/mental conditions) can be included in the main application.
  • Sponsoring In-Laws: Sponsoring in-laws directly is not permissible. However, you can co-sign your spouse’s separate PGP application if they meet primary sponsor criteria.
  • Processing Timelines: IRCC processing times for the PGP typically range from 20 to 24 months, subject to individual case complexities and regional processing backlogs.

Strategic Alternative: The Super Visa Pathway

While awaiting PGP lottery selections or application processing, sponsors are strongly encouraged to utilize the Super Visa program. Given that PGP intakes are capped and managed via random drawings, the Super Visa serves as an excellent alternative, enabling eligible parents and grandparents to enter Canada multiple times for up to 10 years with extended continuous stays of up to 5 years per visit.