Parents Sponsorship Canada
The Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program is a key component of Canada’s Family Class immigration system, designed to reunite Canadian citizens and permanent residents with their parents and grandparents through permanent residency. This program reflects Canada’s long-standing commitment to family reunification and the vital role parents and grandparents play in family support and child development.
Each year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) opens an intake process where eligible sponsors can submit an interest to sponsor form. Sponsors are then selected randomly from a pool of submissions and invited to submit a complete sponsorship application. Because demand often exceeds the annual cap, not all interested sponsors will receive an invitation, which is why understanding alternative options is also important.
To qualify as a sponsor, you must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and meet minimum income requirements based on family size. Sponsors must also agree to financially support the sponsored individuals for 20 years (or 10 years in Quebec) to ensure they don’t rely on social assistance.
Sponsored parents and grandparents, once approved, receive permanent resident status, granting them access to healthcare, the ability to work, and a pathway to Canadian citizenship. The program allows families to live together long-term and strengthens intergenerational bonds that are essential to family well-being.
If you are not selected in the annual draw or wish to explore faster alternatives, the Super Visa offers a long-term temporary option for parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to five years at a time. You can learn more about this on our Super Visa page. For short-term visits, a standard Visitor Visa may also be appropriate.
You can also return to the broader Family Class section to explore sponsorship streams for spouses, children, and other relatives.
Book a consultation with our expert immigration consultants to assess your eligibility for parent or grandparent sponsorship and receive step-by-step guidance through the application process. At RightWay Canada, we help families stay connected, no matter the distance.
