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Canada Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship 2026
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Canada Parent & Grandparent Sponsorship 2026

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Sponsoring your parents or grandparents to Canada is one of the most meaningful – but also one of the most complex – family reunification pathways. The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is invitation-based, highly regulated, and involves strict eligibility rules for sponsors, detailed admissibility requirements for applicants, multi-year income thresholds, a long-term financial undertaking, and significant government fees.

Understanding each stage – from expressing interest and the lottery process to application submission, document requirements, processing times, and status tracking – is essential to avoiding delays, refusals, or missed opportunities.

Because the program is not always open and processing can take several years, many families also consider temporary options such as Visitor Visa for Parents, the Super Visa, or review broader family sponsorship pathways to determine the best strategy for their situation. You can also explore our comparison page that breaks down the three main ways to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada and helps you choose the best option. Careful planning, accurate documentation, and up-to-date knowledge of IRCC rules play a critical role in long-term success.

A well-prepared application can help reduce delays and minimize the risk of refusal. Our licensed Canadian immigration consultants support clients at every stage—from initial eligibility assessment to submitting a complete, well-organized application. Between 2023 and 2025, we assisted over 1,200 families with their sponsorship cases. For personalized guidance, you can book an initial consultation with one of our experts. You can also review our transparent sponsorship fees. 

Step-by-step: how you can bring your parents to Canada

Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship 2026

Step 1: Check your Eligibility

  • Be 18+ and a Canadian citizen, PR, or registered under the Indian Act

  • Live in Canada with a primary address during processing

  • Not be barred due to bankruptcy, social assistance (non-disability), criminal issues, or unpaid debts

Step 2: Check parents or grandparents eligibility

  • There is no age limit for sponsored parents or grandparents

  • Parents must pass medical, criminal, and security checks

  • Serious health conditions may cause refusal if they create excessive demand

  • Police certificates and medical exams are usually required

Step 3: See income requirements

  • Meet MNI for your family size

  • Prove income for the last 3 tax years

  • Use CRA Notices of Assessment

  • A spouse or partner may co-sign

Step 4: Check undertaking rule

  •  Commit to financially supporting your parents or grandparents

  • Undertaking lasts 20 years (10 years in Quebec)

  • You must repay any social assistance they receive

Step 5: Submit an Interest to Sponsor (EOI)

  • Submit an Interest to Sponsor when IRCC opens intake

  • This is not a PR application

  • Intake is currently closed

Step 6: Random Selection (Lottery)

  • IRCC selects sponsors randomly

  • Selection is from the Interest to Sponsor pool

  • Submission does not guarantee an invitation

Step 7: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

  • Selected sponsors receive an email invitation

  • You must apply by the deadline

  • Applications without an ITA are returned

Step 8: Submit the Full Application

  • Submit both sponsorship and PR applications online

  • Complete all forms, upload documents, and pay fees

  • IRCC may request additional documents during processing

Sponsor Your Parent to Canada: Eligibility & Requirements

Sponsor Eligibility Requirements

Sponsoring a parent or grandparent for permanent residence in Canada is a highly regulated process that begins with a crucial first step: receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from IRCC. Meeting the legal requirements alone does not grant you the right to submit an application; rather, the process typically functions through a lottery-based system.

As of early 2026, IRCC has paused new intakes to focus on processing existing applications, reinforcing that an invitation is the absolute prerequisite for any sponsorship.

Once invited, you must demonstrate that you are legally eligible and “clearly established” in Canada. This means you must be:

  • Invited to apply (ITA)

  • Be at least 18 years old at the time you apply

  • Live in Canada

  • Primary residential address is in Canada when you submit the application and remains in Canada until IRCC makes a decision

  • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Canadian Indian Act

  • Meet all other requirements 

Situations that can make you ineligible

Even with an ITA, IRCC may find you not eligible if any of the following apply:

  • You’re in jail, prison, or a penitentiary

  • You defaulted on a previous sponsorship

  • You owe money for an immigration loan, performance bond, or court-ordered support payments

  • You’re an undischarged bankrupt

  • You receive social assistance, other than for disability

  • You have certain serious criminal convictions

  • You’re under a removal order or otherwise not legally allowed to remain in Canada

Being eligible doesn’t always mean you can apply right away. The Parents and Grandparents Program is invitation-based and not always open. When the program is paused, many families consider alternatives like the Super Visa for parents, or review broader family sponsorship options and compare all parents programs to plan ahead.

Applicant Eligibility Requirements

For a Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship application to succeed, it’s not enough for the sponsor to qualify – the parents or grandparents being sponsored must also be eligible and admissible under Canadian immigration law. IRCC assesses each applicant carefully, regardless of age or relationship, to ensure they meet Canada’s permanent residence standards.

At a high level, applicant eligibility focuses on relationship, admissibility, and completeness of information, not financial ability (which is assessed on the sponsor).

You may be included as an applicant under the Parents and Grandparents Program if the relationship to the sponsor is clearly established and you meet IRCC’s eligibility rules.

You qualify as an eligible applicant if:

  • You’re the biological or legally adopted parent or grandparent of the sponsor

  • Your relationship to the sponsor can be proven with official documents, such as birth certificates or legal adoption records

  • You’re included in the application as:

    • A principal applicant (the sponsor’s biological or adopted parent or grandparent), or

    • An accompanying spouse or common-law partner of the principal applicant (for example, the sponsor’s other parent or a step-parent)

  • Any accompanying children meet IRCC’s definition of a dependent child

Important clarifications:

  • A step-parent cannot be the principal applicant and must be included only as the spouse or partner of the sponsor’s biological or adopted parent

  • If the sponsor’s parents are divorced or separated, only the biological or adopted parent may be sponsored

  • If a parent has remarried, the new spouse may be included as an accompanying family member, not as a principal applicant

  • All accompanying family members must also meet medical, criminal, and security admissibility requirements

There is no age limit for parents or grandparents. Advanced age alone never makes an applicant ineligible under the Parents and Grandparents Program.

income requirement for parent sponsorship

The income requirement is one of the most important—and most misunderstood—parts of sponsoring parents or grandparents to Canada. Under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), IRCC requires sponsors to prove they can financially support their parents or grandparents without relying on social assistance. Failing to meet the income rules is one of the most common reasons applications are refused.

Unlike many other immigration programs, income for parent sponsorship is assessed before approval, based strictly on past earnings rather than future job prospects.

How the income requirement works

To qualify, you must meet or exceed the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for your family size for the three tax years immediately before IRCC receives your application.

Key points to understand:

  • Income must be proven for all 3 required tax years

  • Missing the requirement for even one year can lead to refusal

  • Income is based on gross income reported to CRA, not bank savings or assets

  • Only official CRA Notices of Assessment (NOAs) are accepted as proof in most cases

What counts toward family size

Family size is broader than many people expect and includes:

  • You, the sponsor

  • Your spouse or common-law partner

  • Your dependent children

  • Anyone you previously sponsored if their undertaking is still in effect

  • The parent(s) or grandparent(s) you’re sponsoring and their family members, even if:

    • They are not coming to Canada, or

    • They are already Canadian permanent residents or citizens

Co-signing and combining income

If your income alone is not enough, your spouse or common-law partner may co-sign the application. When you co-sign:

  • Your incomes are combined to meet the requirement

  • Both of you become equally responsible under the sponsorship undertaking

No other relatives can help meet the income requirement.

Important notes

  • Income requirements change every year

  • Quebec uses a separate income assessment system, which is not covered here

  • If you don’t meet the income threshold, many families consider alternatives like the Super Visa for parents or Visitor Visa for parents while waiting for a future intake

Understanding the income requirement early helps families plan realistically and avoid costly refusals under the Parents and Grandparents Program.

Sponsorship Undertaking & Responsibilities

The sponsorship undertaking is the legal commitment that makes parent and grandparent sponsorship one of the most serious obligations in Canadian immigration. By signing the undertaking, you agree to take full financial responsibility for your parents or grandparents after they become permanent residents of Canada.

This obligation exists to ensure that sponsored parents and grandparents do not need to rely on social assistance, and it applies regardless of changes in your personal or financial situation.

What the sponsorship undertaking means

When you sponsor a parent or grandparent outside Quebec, you sign two binding documents:

  • A sponsorship agreement with the sponsored person, and

  • An undertaking with the Government of Canada.

Through these, you commit to providing your parents or grandparents with their basic needs, including:

  • Food, clothing, and shelter

  • Utilities and household needs

  • Health care not covered by public insurance, such as dental and vision care

Length of the undertaking

The undertaking period for parent and grandparent sponsorship is:

  • 20 years in all provinces and territories outside Quebec

  • (Quebec has a different duration and process, which is not covered here)

The 20-year period begins on the day your parent or grandparent becomes a permanent resident, not when you submit the application.

Financial and legal responsibility

During the undertaking period:

  • Your sponsored parent or grandparent must not receive social assistance

  • If they do, you are legally required to repay the full amount to the government

  • You cannot sponsor anyone else until the debt is fully repaid

The undertaking cannot be cancelled, shortened, or transferred, even if:

  • Your income drops or you lose your job

  • You move within or outside Canada

  • Your family situation changes (separation, divorce, or death)

  • Your parent or grandparent becomes a Canadian citizen

Withdrawal and alternatives

You may withdraw your sponsorship only before your parent or grandparent becomes a permanent resident. Once PR status is granted, the undertaking is locked in.

Because of the length and seriousness of this commitment, some families choose temporary options like the Super Visa for parents, or compare responsibilities across Parent and Grandparent programs before applying.

Expressing interest to sponsor is the first step in the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). When IRCC opens intake, potential sponsors must submit an Interest to Sponsor (ITS) form online. This form is not an application for permanent residence and does not require documents or fees. It simply tells IRCC that you want the chance to sponsor your parents or grandparents. Once submitted, your name is placed in a selection pool. Because the intake is not always open, many families monitor IRCC updates or consider alternatives like the Super Visa for parents while waiting. Also you can compare all the different ways to meet your parents or grandparents in Canada.

After the Interest to Sponsor form closes, IRCC uses a random lottery system to select potential sponsors from the pool. Being in the pool does not guarantee you will be selected. IRCC conducts draws based on annual immigration targets and sends invitations only to those randomly chosen. In recent years, IRCC has continued drawing from the 2020 Interest to Sponsor pool instead of opening new intakes. If you are not selected, your interest remains in the pool for future draws until IRCC changes the process.

If you are selected in the lottery, IRCC sends you an Invitation to Apply (ITA) by email. This invitation allows you to submit a complete parent or grandparent sponsorship application. The ITA includes a strict deadline, and missing it means losing your chance for that intake. You must submit both the sponsorship and permanent residence applications together. Applications sent without an ITA are returned unprocessed, which is why receiving an invitation is a critical step in the process.

Application for parents sponsorship process

Document Checklist Requirements

The document checklist is one of the most critical parts of a parent and grandparent sponsorship application. IRCC expects applications to be complete, accurate, and well-organized from the start. Missing documents often lead to delays, returned applications, or refusals.

The checklist covers documents for both the sponsor and the applicants. Common requirements include proof of relationship, identity documents, civil status records, and income proof. IRCC relies heavily on official records, so documents must be clear, legible, and—if not in English or French—accompanied by certified translations.

Typical documents include:

  • Birth certificates or adoption records proving the parent-child relationship

  • Marriage, divorce, or death certificates (if applicable)

  • Passports and identity documents for all applicants

  • CRA Notices of Assessment for income verification

  • Police certificates and medical exams (when requested by IRCC)

A key nuance is that some documents are submitted upfront, while others are requested later during processing. Submitting medical exams or police certificates too early can cause them to expire before IRCC reviews them.

IRCC may also request additional or updated documents at any point, especially if processing takes several years. Applicants are responsible for responding by the deadline provided.

Following the checklist exactly—and keeping copies of everything submitted—helps prevent avoidable delays in an already lengthy process.

IRCC Processing Time

Processing times for parent and grandparent sponsorship are among the longest in Canadian immigration. This is because the Parents and Grandparents Program is capped annually and involves two full assessments: one for the sponsor and one for the applicant(s).

After you submit a complete application following an Invitation to Apply, IRCC typically processes PGP applications over several years, not months. Processing includes:

  • Reviewing sponsor eligibility

  • Verifying income for the required tax years

  • Assessing the undertaking

  • Conducting medical, criminal, and security checks for applicants

Timelines vary widely based on factors such as:

  • The country where the parents or grandparents live

  • How quickly medical exams and police certificates are completed

  • Whether IRCC requests additional documents

  • Overall IRCC inventory and annual immigration targets

Long periods with no visible updates are normal and do not mean something is wrong. Parent sponsorship applications move in stages, and IRCC often works on them in batches.

Because of the long wait, many families choose to bring parents to Canada temporarily or for a longer stay through Super Visa for parents while permanent residence is being processed. This allows parents to stay in Canada for extended periods without affecting the PR application.

It’s important to understand that published processing times are estimates only and can change year to year. Submitting a complete and well-prepared application is the best way to avoid unnecessary delays.

fees for parent sponsorship

Parent and grandparent sponsorship involves multiple government fees that must be paid online when you submit your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Because multiple people can be included on a single sponsorship, the total cost can add up quickly. All fees must be paid in Canadian dollars and in the correct amounts before IRCC will process your application.

Core Fees You Must Pay

The main fees for sponsoring a parent or grandparent under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) include:

  • Sponsorship fee: $85

  • Principal applicant processing fee: $545

  • Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $575 (to be paid before approval)
    Together, these standard fees total $1,205 per parent or grandparent if you include the RPRF.

If you choose not to pay the RPRF upfront, you can defer it until later. In that case, the sponsorship fee and processing fee total $630 for that applicant.

Adding Family Members

Your parents or grandparents may be accompanied by others, and additional fees will apply:

  • Spouse or common-law partner of the parent/grandparent:

    • Processing fee: $635

    • RPRF: $575

    • Total: $1,210 (including RPRF)

  • Each dependent child (if applicable): $175 each

  • Biometrics: $85 per person or $170 for a family applying together (fingerprints and photo)

You must pay these fees at the time of submitting your application; otherwise IRCC may delay or refuse to process it.

Refunds and Non-Refundable Fees

Understanding refunds is crucial:

  • The Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) can be refunded if IRCC refuses your application or if you withdraw before a final decision.

  • Most other fees (especially processing and sponsorship fees) are non-refundable once processing begins, even if the application is refused.

Why It Matters

Because parent sponsorship fees are higher than many other family sponsorship streams, families often compare costs and timelines with alternatives such as the Super Visa for parents (a temporary long-stay option) or review other pathways on broader family sponsorship pages before applying.

Fees can change, so always check the current IRCC fee schedule before submitting your application to ensure you’re paying the correct amounts and including receipts in your submission.

Application Status Tracker

Once your parent or grandparent sponsorship application is submitted, IRCC provides several tools to help you track its progress. However, status updates for PGP applications tend to be limited and infrequent, which can be frustrating for applicants.

Most sponsors and applicants monitor their case through:

  • Their IRCC secure online account, and

  • The Permanent Residence Application Tracker (when available)

Status updates typically move through stages such as:

  • Application received

  • Sponsor eligibility review

  • Medical, criminal, and background checks

  • Final decision

It’s normal for an application to remain at one stage for months or even years without visible progress. This does not mean the application is stalled or forgotten.

IRCC usually contacts applicants by email if additional documents, updated medical exams, or new police certificates are required. For this reason, it’s critical to:

  • Keep contact information up to date

  • Check spam or junk folders regularly

  • Respond to IRCC requests before deadlines

The tracker is a helpful reference tool, but it does not show internal processing details. Long wait times are a standard part of parent and grandparent sponsorship, and patience is often required.

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