Documents Required for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship in Canada
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) document checklist consists of specific documents and forms that must be provided by both the sponsor and the parent or grandparent applicant as part of the permanent residence application process. These requirements are used to confirm identity, family relationships, legal status, and overall eligibility under the program. Depending on the case, the application may also require supporting records for dependents, co-signers, civil status, and proof of relationship. In addition to the core documents and required IRCC forms, applicants may also need to prepare for further requirements such as photo specifications, police certificates, and medical exams. Clear, complete, and consistent documentation is essential to help prevent delays and ensure the application is properly assessed.
Required Documents for Sponsors and Applicants
To apply under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), both the sponsor and the parents or grandparents must provide supporting documents as outlined in IRCC’s official document checklist (IMM 5771). Important: The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is invitation-based. You can only submit a full application if you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from IRCC. The ITA letter must be included in your application. So it is necessary to know when the PGP will open and when IRCC will issue invitations before preparing a full application.
These documents are used to verify identity, family relationships, and eligibility. All documents must be complete, clear, and consistent across the application.
Sponsor Documents
The sponsor must provide documents to confirm identity, eligibility and financial support for a PGP.
These typically include:
- Proof of status in Canada (must match the document submitted with your Interest to Sponsor form). Any differences in status or personal details should be explained and supported with documentation.
- Proof of identity (passport or government-issued ID)
- Civil status documents (marriage certificate, divorce certificate, or proof of common-law relationship, if applicable)
- Proof of residence in Canada, if requested
- Previous sponsorship or immigration records, if applicable
Co-signer Documents (if applicable)
If a co-signer is included (such as a spouse or common-law partner), they must also provide:
- Proof of identity
- Proof of status in Canada
- Civil status documents
- Required signatures on applicable forms
Parent or Grandparent Documents
The person being sponsored must provide documents to confirm identity and personal history.
These typically include:
- Valid passport or travel document
- Birth certificate
- National identity documents, if applicable
- Civil status documents
(marriage certificate, divorce certificate, or death certificate of a spouse, if applicable) - Proof of name changes, if applicable
- Documents for Dependants (if included)
If the parent or grandparent includes a spouse or dependent children in the application, additional documents are required for each dependent.
These may include:
- Passports or travel documents
- Birth certificates
- Civil status documents
- Identity documents
- Proof of Relationship
Proof of Relationship
You must provide documents that clearly establish the relationship between the sponsor and the parents or grandparents.
These may include:
- Birth certificates showing parent-child relationship
- Adoption documents, if applicable
- Legal documents confirming guardianship, if relevant
The relationship must be clearly supported by official documents.
Civil Status & Family Documents
Additional documents may be required to show the full family situation.
These may include:
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce or separation documents
- Death certificates
- Documents confirming family composition
These help IRCC assess the application and identify all family members.
Translation and certified copies
If documents are not in English or French, they must be submitted with:
- A certified translation
- A copy of the original document
- A translator’s affidavit, if required
Failure to provide proper translations may result in delays.
Document format requirements
All documents must be:
- Clear and legible
- Complete (no missing pages)
- Uploaded in the correct format
- Consistent with the information provided in forms
IRCC may request new copies if documents are unclear or incomplete.
Required Forms for Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship
The forms required for a Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) application depend on the details of the case. IRCC requires both a sponsorship application and a permanent residence application, and the full application package is based on Guide 5772 and the IMM 5771 document checklist.
Some forms are always required, while others apply only in specific situations, such as having a co-signer, appointing a representative, or including dependants. The principal applicant completes most permanent residence forms through the PR Portal, while other forms must be uploaded as PDFs.
If the sponsor lives in Quebec, separate provincial sponsorship steps and forms apply in addition to the federal IRCC application.
Core Federal Forms and Checklist for a Typical PGP Case
IMM 5771 – Document Checklist for Parents and Grandparents
Guide 5772 – Application to Sponsor Parents and Grandparents
Sponsor Forms
IMM 1344 – Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking
IMM 5768 – Financial Evaluation for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
Principal Applicant Forms (Parent/Grandparent)
IMM 0008 – Generic Application Form for Canada
IMM 5406 – Additional Family Information
IMM 5669 – Schedule A: Background / Declaration
IMM 5562 – Supplementary Information: Your Travels
Optional and Case-Specific Forms
These forms are only required in certain situations depending on the details of the application:
Income / Co-signer Related
IMM 5748 – Income Sources for the Sponsorship of Parents and Grandparents
(if not authorizing CRA access)
IMM 5409 – Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union
(if using a common-law co-signer)
Representatives & Authorization
IMM 5476 – Use of a Representative
IMM 5475 – Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual
Personal History / Background (if applicable)
IMM 5519 – Statutory Declaration of Severance of a Common-Law Union
IMM 5546 – Details of Military Service
IMM 0150 – Details of Police Service
IMM 0149 – Details of Government Employment
Additional Notes
Dependants aged 18 or older may need to complete their own versions of certain forms (such as IMM 5406, IMM 5669, and IMM 5562).
The PR Portal may generate additional forms or upload fields depending on the application.
Quebec applicants must complete separate provincial forms after federal approval.
Additional Requirements and Special Cases
In addition to the required documents and forms, a Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) application may also involve photo specifications, police certificates, medical instructions, and a few case-specific items. Some of these are submitted with the initial application, while others are usually requested by IRCC later in processing, depending on the PGP processing time and timeline. The main official references for these requirements remain Guide 5772 and the IMM 5771 checklist.
Photo Requirements
For online PGP applications, IRCC requires 1 photo of each person included in the application. The photo must have been taken within the last 12 months and must meet IRCC’s permanent residence photo specifications. Applicants must also upload images of the front and back of the photo. If the back-of-photo information is provided separately, IRCC says it can be uploaded under “Additional Supporting Documents – Other.”
Key IRCC requirements include:
- photo size of 50 mm x 70 mm
- face size between 31 mm and 36 mm from chin to crown
- a plain white or light-coloured background
- a clear, sharp, and in-focus image
- a neutral facial expression, with eyes open and mouth closed
- no shadows, glare, flash reflection, or digital alteration
For digital uploads, digital photos must be in JPEG or PNG format, between 715 x 1000 and 2000 x 2800 pixels, and 4 MB or less. The back of the photo must show the applicant’s name, date of birth, the date the photo was taken, and the name and full address of the photography studio. Stick-on labels are not accepted.
Police Certificates
Police certificates are generally not required at the time of submitting a PGP application. IRCC will usually request them later during processing.
When requested, applicants must follow IRCC’s country-specific instructions. Police certificates are typically valid for a limited time and IRCC may request updated versions if needed.
Medical Exam
The sponsored parent or grandparent must complete an immigration medical exam as part of the permanent residence process. In most cases, this is handled after the application is submitted, once IRCC sends instructions. Because this is part of admissibility screening, applicants should be prepared to complete the exam within the deadline given by IRCC.
Signatures
IRCC is strict about signatures. If a required form is missing a signature, the application can be returned as incomplete. Because PGP applications include both portal forms and PDF forms, applicants should make sure each form is signed in the way IRCC requires. Guide 5772 also notes that some forms, such as IMM 5409 where applicable, require a handwritten signature rather than only an electronic one.
Case-Specific Requirements
Some applications require extra items depending on the family situation. For example:
- if a dependent child under 18 is immigrating without one parent, IRCC may require IMM 5604 plus a copy of the non-accompanying parent’s signed photo identification
- IRCC may request updated police certificates, additional background details, or other supporting items later in processing
- the online system may generate extra upload fields depending on the facts of the case
