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Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) Canada 2026
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Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) Canada 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 subject to strict government controls.

In practice, the program has not accepted new Interest to Sponsor submissions since 2020, and IRCC has continued to rely on older interest pools while pausing new intakes to manage backlogs. This means that, even if you meet all legal requirements, new sponsorship applications are not currently accessible to most families. For 2026, IRCC has confirmed that no new PGP intake is open, and the department is focusing on processing applications already submitted, reinforcing the limited and highly competitive nature of the program.

Because the program is not consistently open and processing can take many months to several years, many families now rely on temporary alternatives such as the Visitor Visa for Parents or the Super Visa (which allows 5-year stays per entry) to reunite with their parents while permanent sponsorship remains closed. Others review the broader family sponsorship pathway or explore our comparison page, which breaks down the three main ways to bring parents or grandparents to Canada and helps identify the most realistic option. 

A well-prepared application and a clear long-term strategy are especially important given the uncertainty around PGP reopening. Careful planning, accurate documentation, and up-to-date knowledge of IRCC rules play a critical role in long-term success. That’s why our licensed parent sponsorship consultants guide clients through every stage of the process, from initial eligibility assessment to preparing and submitting complete, well-organized applications. Between 2023 and 2025, we assisted over 1,200 families with their parent sponsorship cases. For personalized guidance, you can book an initial consultation with one of our experts or review our transparent parent sponsorship fees to plan with confidence.

Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) Canada 2026

When Will PGP Open in 2026?

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) does not follow a fixed annual schedule. Instead, IRCC announces whether a new intake will open, what the submission process will look like, and when sponsors can expect the next steps.

For 2026, IRCC has shared an important update: PGP remains on pause for new applications, and there is currently no confirmed timeline for the program to resume a new intake. Because of this, there is no announced lottery or draw planned for 2026, and no new invitation results will be released unless IRCC officially changes its approach.

To stay informed, it’s best to follow IRCC announcements for the next update, including whether the intake will reopen and how invitations will be issued.

Interest to Sponsor Form (PGP Lottery System)

In previous years, IRCC used the Interest to Sponsor form to collect potential sponsors before selecting applicants through a random lottery (also called a draw). If the program reopens in the future, IRCC may accept a new intake through this system again and publish invitation results after the selection process is completed.

Parents Grandparents Sponsorship Eligibility Requirements

Sponsor Eligibility Requirements

Sponsoring a parent or grandparent for permanent residence in Canada is a highly regulated process governed by strict federal rules. Simply wanting to sponsor your parents is not enough—you must meet all legal requirements set out by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the program itself is not always open to new applications.

As of early 2026, IRCC has paused new intakes under the Parents and Grandparents Program to focus on processing existing applications. This highlights how controlled and limited the program is, and why meeting eligibility criteria alone does not guarantee that an application can be submitted at any given time.

To qualify as a sponsor, you must be legally eligible and clearly established in Canada. This means you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old at the time you apply
  • Live in Canada
  • Have your primary residential address in Canada when you submit the application and keep it 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.

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.

PGP "Interest to Sponsor" Form

The Interest to Sponsor (ITS) form is the first step in the Parents and Grandparents Program Canada. It is used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage demand for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship, which is one of the most limited and competitive family immigration programs.

The Interest to Sponsor form is not a permanent residence application. Instead, it is an online registration that allows eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents to express their interest to sponsor parents to Canada for permanent residence. No documents, fees, or income proof are required at this stage.

When IRCC opens the program, sponsors must submit the ITS form through IRCC’s official website during the announced intake period. After the intake closes, IRCC places all submissions into a pool and conducts a random lottery selection. Sponsors chosen through this lottery receive an invitation to submit a full Parents PR Sponsorship application under the Parents Sponsorship Canada stream.

Only sponsors selected through the lottery are allowed to proceed. Meeting eligibility or income requirements does not guarantee selection, as invitations are limited and based on IRCC’s annual targets and processing capacity.

In recent years, IRCC has often relied on previously submitted interest pools rather than opening new registrations. As of 2026, new ITS intakes remain paused while IRCC processes existing files.

Because access to PGP Canada is unpredictable, many families explore alternatives such as the Super Visa for parents and grandparents or Visitor Visa for parents while planning ahead for future opportunities to sponsor parents or grandparents permanently. You can also compare all the different ways to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada.

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

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.

Minimum Income Requirements (MNI / LICO)

To sponsor parents or grandparents, IRCC requires sponsors to meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) through a formal financial evaluation. The required income cut-off depends on your family size, and the exact amounts are shown in the table.

LICO (Low Income cut-off) is a general income benchmark used in Canada to measure whether a household meets a minimum income level. MNI (Minimum Necessary Income) is the specific threshold IRCC uses for the Parents and Grandparents Program, calculated using LICO-based guidelines and IRCC program requirements.

IRCC reviews your income for the required tax years and typically relies on official CRA records (such as your Notices of Assessment) to confirm whether you meet the minimum amount. Family size usually includes you, your spouse or partner, your dependents, and the parent(s) or grandparent(s) you are sponsoring—and may also include people you are still financially responsible for under a previous sponsorship undertaking. In some cases, your spouse or partner may also be able to co-sign so their income can be included in the financial evaluation.

If your income falls below the required income cut-off for any of the required tax years, you may not be eligible to sponsor under PGP. For this reason, it’s important to review the table carefully and confirm your income meets the correct threshold before submitting your application.

Income Thresholds by Family Size
Family Size 2024 2023 2022
2 People $47,549 $44,530 $43,082
3 People $58,456 $54,743 $52,965
4 People $70,972 $66,466 $64,306
5 People $80,496 $75,384 $72,935
6 People $90,784 $85,020 $82,259
7 People $101,075 $94,658 $91,582
If more than 7 people, for each additional person, add: $10,291 $9,636 $9,324

Family Size 

2024

2023

2022

2 people

$47,549

$44,530

$43,082

3 people

$58,456

$54,743

$52,965

4 people

$70,972

$66,466

$64,306

5 people

$80,496

$75,384

$72,935

6 people

$90,784

$85,020

$82,259

7 people

$101,075

$94,658

$91,582

If more than 7 people, for each additional person, add:

$10,291

$9,636

$9,324

IRCC Application Process

Document Checklist Requirements

The official IRCC checklist for parent and grandparent sponsorship must be followed exactly. The checklist shows what both the sponsor and the applicants must provide for the PGP PR sponsorship application.

In general, you can expect to include:

  • Required forms (sponsorship, permanent residence, background, family info, representative form)
  • ID/civil status documents (passports, birth certificates, marriage/divorce/death records, certified translations)
  • Proof of relationship (documents proving the parent-child relationship, such as birth/adoption records)
  • Sponsor financial documents (income proof, CRA Notices of Assessment, undertaking/financial evaluation)
  • Police certificates (for countries where the applicant lived 6+ months since age 18, when required)
  • Medical exam and biometrics (when requested/required by IRCC)

You must always check IRCC website for the most up-to-date parent and grandparent sponsorship checklist requirements before submitting.

IRCC Processing Time

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides regularly refreshed processing time estimates and processing updates through their official online tool. While these figures are not guaranteed turnaround times, they offer applicants an idea of the duration from the moment a complete application is received until a final decision is issued.

Parent and grandparent sponsorship processing times are typically longer than other family sponsorship streams and depend on factors such as:

  • the overall complexity of the case (e.g., issues with biometrics or medical exams)
  • sponsor eligibility and income review
  • background and security screening for applicants
  • the volume of files IRCC is currently managing

Delays frequently occur due to incomplete forms, missing documents or translations, incorrect fee payments, or if IRCC needs to issue multiple clarification requests.

fees for parent sponsorship

Financial planning for fees for parent and grandparent sponsorship involves two categories of costs: Government fees and third-party expenses. This breakdown will help you budget accurately.

Government fees are payable online to IRCC and may include:

  • Sponsorship fee
  • Principal applicant processing fee
  • Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)
  • Biometrics fee

Essential third-party expenses not paid to IRCC may include:

  • Medical exams (panel physician fees)
  • Police certificates
  • Certified translations
  • Courier services

You must always refer to the official IRCC fee list for the latest amounts, as these immigration fees can change.

Application Status Tracker

After submitting your parent and grandparent sponsorship application, you can track your status through several IRCC tools. Most updates will appear in your IRCC secure online account/PR portal. Key updates include:

  • Document requests
  • Biometrics
  • Medical instructions
  • Decisions

You can also access your file through the IRCC Portal. If you use a representative, it will be through the Authorized Representative Portal instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have a question? Use the search bar to explore Parents and Grandparents Program FAQs.

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) “Interest to Sponsor” form is only available when IRCC opens an intake for Parents and Grandparents Immigration. You can’t submit it anytime—IRCC only enables it when it announces an intake approach for that year. To Sponsor Parent to Canada through Parents PR Sponsorship, you must first be eligible to submit interest (or be in the pool IRCC is using). If your goal is to bring your Parent(s) sooner, a Parent Visa option may be appropriate for temporary travel.

Where can I find the PGP “Interest to Sponsor” form, and when is it available?

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The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) starts with an “Interest to Sponsor” step, but IRCC only makes that option available when an intake is opened under IRCC’s published intake approach for that year. In other words, you cannot submit an Interest to Sponsor form “any time”—it is tied to IRCC’s intake design for Parents and Grandparents Immigration.

In recent PGP cycles, IRCC has not reopened a new Interest to Sponsor form broadly; instead, IRCC has continued to select and Invite potential sponsors from the 2020 interest pool (the email/confirmation details tied to that 2020 submission). This means many Canadian sponsors can only proceed to Parents PR Sponsorship if they are selected and invited from that pool.

Because PGP is governed by annual intake design (including caps and selection methods), the practical “where to find the form” answer is: you can only access the Interest to Sponsor process when IRCC publicly announces it and activates it under the year’s intake rules. If your goal is Reunification—having your Mother/Father (Dad/Mom) in Canada sooner—IRCC also highlights the Super Visa as an alternative for eligible Parent(s) and grandparents when you are not invited to apply under PGP.

For next steps on Parents Immigration (PGP strategy vs Parent Visa timing),connect with Parent Sponsorship Consultants, review fees, or book a consultation.

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IRCC sends PGP invitations to the email used in the Interest to Sponsor submission. If you no longer have access to that email, you should regain access before relying on any updates for Parents PR Sponsorship. Check spam/junk folders and search for PGP/Parents and Grandparents Program notices. If you are not invited, you cannot submit a complete Parents PR application package for that intake.

How can I check if I was invited to apply for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)?

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The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is invitation-based. To Sponsor Parent to Canada through Parents PR Sponsorship, you must receive an invitation to submit a complete application package. IRCC sends invitations using the email address associated with the original Interest to Sponsor submission, so it’s essential that you can access that mailbox.

The best practical steps are:

  1. Check the inbox tied to your Interest to Sponsor entry.
  2. Check junk/spam folders.
  3. Search keywords like “Parents and Grandparents Program,” “PGP,” and “invited to apply.”
  4. Keep your contact information accurate for any ongoing communication related to your Parents Immigration process.

If you’re not invited, you cannot submit Parents PR sponsorship for that intake, even if you are ready financially. If your priority is Reunification in Canada with your Dad/Mom, consider temporary options like a Parent Visitor Visa or Super Visa for parents and grandparents while you wait.

If you want help confirming your invitation status and planning next steps for Parent(s) in Canada, speak with a Parent Immigration Consultant, review fees, or book a consultation.

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The full PGP process is: Interest to Sponsor → invitation → submit a complete Parents PR Sponsorship + Parents PR application → processing → PR decision. The pre-application part is selection-based and not guaranteed. IRCC intake rules can be governed by Ministerial Instructions, and recent intakes have aimed to Accept 10,000 Complete Applications. After submission, IRCC assesses sponsor eligibility and then your Parent(s)’ PR file.

What is the full PGP timeline and process to sponsor parents to Canada

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The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) has two major phases: (1) being selected/invited to apply and (2) processing after you submit a complete application for Parents PR Sponsorship and Parents PR.

Stage 1 — Interest to Sponsor (pre-application):
This stage exists only when IRCC activates it as part of its PGP intake approach. This is why the timeline to Sponsor Parent to Canada can begin with waiting—because you cannot move forward until IRCC’s intake method allows it.

Stage 2 — Invitation to apply:
IRCC selects potential sponsors and sends invitations. This stage is often described as “lottery-style” because selection is not guaranteed for every interested Canadian sponsor.

Stage 3 — Submit a complete application (what matters for timelines):
If invited, you submit a complete package for Parents PR Sponsorship (sponsor side) and Parents PR (principal applicant side) using the submission method IRCC specifies for that intake. This is the point where your processing clock meaningfully begins, because IRCC intake objectives commonly refer to accepting a target number of complete applications.

Stage 4 — Processing and PR decision:
IRCC evaluates sponsor eligibility (including MNI/LICO where applicable, and Co-Signer rules) and then processes your Parent(s)’ PR file, including admissibility and any dependants you included.

Important intake policy note:
IRCC may set program intake limits and processing parameters through Ministerial Instructions, which can shape intake volumes and timelines for Parents and Grandparents Immigration.

If you want a structured plan to Sponsor Parent to Canada (PGP readiness, Co-Signer strategy, and backup Parent Visa options), and speak with Parent Sponsorship Consultants, review fees, or book a consultation.

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For PGP Parents PR Sponsorship, the only eligible Co-Signer is your spouse or common-law partner. Your brother or sister cannot co-sign. Co-signing is used to combine income for MNI/LICO requirements to Sponsor parent to Canada. If you don’t meet the threshold alone, only an eligible spouse/partner can support you as co-signer.

Who can co-sign a PGP parent sponsorship? Can my brother or sister co-sign?

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In the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), IRCC strictly limits who can be a Co-Signer. IRCC’s rule is clear: to help meet the income requirement for sponsoring Parent(s), your co-signer can only be your spouse or common-law partner. A brother or sister (siblings) cannot co-sign a PGP parent sponsorship, even if they live in Canada or have strong income.

The co-signer concept matters because Parents PR Sponsorship is a financial undertaking: IRCC evaluates whether you (and a permitted co-signer, if used) meet the required minimum income for the relevant tax years and family size. When a co-signer is included, IRCC can consider combined income, but the co-signer must be eligible under IRCC rules and may need to provide additional proof of status and relationship type (for example, proof of common-law status where applicable).

Practical implications for Sponsor Parent to Canada:

  • If you’re single, you must meet the PGP income requirement alone.

  • If you’re married or common-law, your spouse/partner may co-sign to support the MNI/LICO requirement.

  • You cannot substitute a sibling, parent, or friend as a “guarantor” for PGP sponsorship income purposes.

If you need help confirming whether you should use a Co-Signer and whether your household structure supports the PGP income requirement, speak with Parents PR Consultant, review fees, or book a consultation.

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Rental income can help for PGP if it is properly declared and reflected in the income evidence IRCC relies on for MNI/LICO. For Parents PR Sponsorship, IRCC evaluates income using the CRA-based method and required financial forms, not informal income statements. If rental income is not captured in the CRA figures used for eligibility, it usually won’t help meet the minimum threshold to Sponsor Parent to Canada. A Co-Signer (spouse/partner) may help if eligible.

Does rental income count toward the PGP minimum income requirement

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In the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), IRCC assesses whether you meet the MNI/LICO using a CRA-anchored method and the financial forms required for Parents PR Sponsorship. The practical implication is that rental income is only useful for eligibility if it is legitimately reported and reflected in the CRA income information IRCC uses for the required years. In other words, a lease agreement alone is not what makes rental income count—what matters is whether it appears within the official income evidence used for PGP.

Because Parents and Grandparents Immigration is highly documentation-driven, the recommended approach is to treat rental income as part of a complete, verifiable income picture tied to the required tax years and your calculated family size. If you are close to the threshold to Sponsor Parent to Canada, you should validate how the income is captured in your CRA income basis and how it aligns with PGP forms.

If you want a clean MNI/LICO calculation that accounts for rental income and your Parent(s) household, speak with Parent Sponsorship Consultants, review fees, or book a consultation.

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For PGP, income is assessed using the CRA-based method IRCC requires, not informal budgeting. Child support may not raise the income IRCC uses for MNI/LICO if it is not included in the CRA income basis used for eligibility. For Parents PR Sponsorship, you should assess eligibility using the required CRA years and program financial forms. If you’re close to the threshold to Sponsor Parent to Canada, confirm the calculation before submitting.

Does child support income count toward the PGP minimum income requirement

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IRCC’s Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) uses a standardized approach to evaluate whether you meet the minimum income requirement (MNI/LICO) for Parents and Grandparents Immigration. IRCC relies on the CRA income evidence method and the program’s financial forms, then applies IRCC’s rules about excluded income types.

Because of that structure, “child support income” does not operate as a separate, discretionary amount you can simply add to qualify. The determining factor is whether that income is reflected in the CRA income basis IRCC uses for the program and whether it is not excluded under IRCC’s PGP rules. If child support is not captured in the CRA income figure IRCC uses for eligibility, it won’t help you meet the PGP threshold for Parents PR Sponsorship.

For Canadian sponsors, this means you should evaluate eligibility using the exact evidence IRCC requires for the intake (your required CRA years, family size calculation, and the correct PGP financial forms), rather than relying on personal budgeting. This is especially important if your Parents Immigration plan depends on meeting MNI/LICO by a narrow margin.

If you want a careful MNI/LICO review for your Mother/Father under PGP, speak with Parent and Grandparent Immigration Consultant, review fees, or book a consultation.

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A PGP file requires documents for the sponsor and for the Parent(s) applying for Parents PR, based on the intake’s checklist. Proof of relationship is commonly a birth certificate or adoption evidence showing the Parent(s)–child link. If a birth certificate is missing or unclear, equivalent civil documents plus a clear explanation are typically used. Incomplete packages can be returned, delaying Parents and Grandparents Immigration.

What documents are required for a PGP application, and what can be used as proof of relationship?

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A complete Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) submission includes two coordinated parts: the sponsor’s sponsorship application and the Parent(s)’ Parents PR application, submitted together through IRCC’s required process for that intake. IRCC is clear that completeness matters—if required items are missing, the application can be returned rather than processed.

What documents are required (high-level categories):

  • Sponsor identity and status in Canada (citizen/PR), plus required forms.

  • Proof of income for MNI/LICO assessment (CRA evidence method and PGP financial forms).

  • Parent(s)’ identity documents (passports/travel documents), civil status documents, and required PR forms.

  • Any program-specific documents requested by IRCC during processing (if applicable).

Proof of relationship (what IRCC accepts in principle):
IRCC commonly expects proof that the sponsor is the child of the Parent(s), such as a birth certificate listing the parent’s name(s) or adoption documentation. If you don’t have a birth certificate or it doesn’t clearly show the relationship, IRCC guidance allows you to submit an equivalent document and include a letter of explanation describing the discrepancy and why alternative proof is provided.

This is a frequent issue in Parents and Grandparents Immigration cases—name variations, late registration of births, multiple spellings, and civil record gaps—so the file should clearly connect the Parent(s) to the sponsor using consistent evidence and explanations aligned to IRCC requirements.

If you want your proof-of-relationship package reviewed for Parents PR Sponsorship (especially with complex Mother/Father documentation), speak with Parents PR Consultant, review fees, or book a consultation.

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Yes, eligible dependent children can be included in your Parent(s)’ Parents PR application under PGP. IRCC’s dependent child definition generally covers children under 22 who are not married/common-law, with limited exceptions for certain older dependants with long-term dependency due to a condition. The dependent must be declared properly in the PR application. Changes during processing can affect eligibility.

Can a dependent child be included in my parents’ PR application under PGP?

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Under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), the Parents PR application can include eligible dependents, but “dependent child” is a defined IRCC term—not an informal family description. In general, IRCC states a child qualifies as a dependent if they are under 22 and do not have a spouse or partner. IRCC also recognizes limited cases where a child 22 or older may qualify if they have depended on the Parent(s) for financial support since before 22 and cannot support themselves because of a mental or physical condition.

For Parents and Grandparents Immigration, this matters because:

  • Eligible dependents must be correctly listed and processed within the Parent(s)’ PR application.

  • If a dependent’s marital/common-law status changes, or a child “ages out,” eligibility may change under IRCC rules.

  • Your family size (for MNI/LICO) may also be impacted by who must be counted, depending on your circumstances and IRCC rules for the intake.

If your Parent(s) have a dependent child you intend to include (for example, a younger sibling), it’s important to confirm they meet IRCC’s dependent definition and to prepare the supporting documents accordingly.

If you want to confirm whether a child can be included in your Parent(s)’ PR file (Mother/Father, Dad/Mom), speak with Parent Sponsorship Consultants, review fees, or book a consultation.

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No. Sponsor approval is separate from the PR approval of each person in the Parents PR application. IRCC assesses Parent(s) and any declared dependants individually under eligibility and admissibility rules. Dependants must qualify and remain eligible during processing. Parents PR Sponsorship approval does not guarantee every family member’s PR outcome.

If the sponsorship is approved, are my parents’ dependents automatically approved too?

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In a PGP Parents PR Sponsorship file, there are two core assessments: IRCC assesses the sponsor’s eligibility to sponsor, and IRCC assesses the Parent(s)’ Parents PR application (including any declared dependents). Sponsorship approval means IRCC found the sponsor eligible under the program rules (including meeting the financial and other sponsor requirements), but it does not mean every person included is “automatically approved.”

Dependents must be properly declared and must meet IRCC’s definitions (for example, dependent child rules) and admissibility requirements. If a dependent no longer meets the dependent definition during processing (for example, due to marital status changes or aging out), IRCC can apply its rules to that dependent’s portion of the application.

For Canadian families focused on Reunification, the safest approach is to treat the Parents PR file as a multi-person PR application: each individual’s information, documents, and eligibility must be correct and consistent throughout processing, especially where family status can change (marriage, newborn, separation) while the file is in progress.

If you want to structure your Parents PR Sponsorship file to reduce dependency-related risk for your Mother/Father (Dad/Mom), talk to a Parents PR Consultant, review fees, or book a consultation.

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Family size changes can affect MNI/LICO eligibility in PGP Parents PR Sponsorship. If your family situation changes (marriage, newborn, separation), you should update IRCC using the official update method for your application and provide proof. A newborn or new spouse can increase the required income to Sponsor parent to Canada. Changes can also affect Co-Signer decisions. Keep Parent(s) immigration files accurate throughout processing.

What if my family size changes after I apply for PGP?

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In PGP Parents and Grandparents Immigration, family size is not just a household detail – it directly affects the minimum income requirement (MNI/LICO) for Parents PR Sponsorship. That’s why changes such as marriage/common-law, separation, a newborn child, or changes to dependents can materially affect eligibility.

IRCC’s guidance indicates that if your information changes such that your application details don’t match what you previously submitted or what IRCC expects based on your intake records, you should provide updated information along with proof of the change. This is typically handled by updating IRCC through the appropriate IRCC contact/update channel and including an explanation and supporting documents (for example, marriage documents, birth documents, separation evidence, updated family composition).

Why it matters for Sponsor Parent to Canada:

  • A new spouse/partner may change whether you can use a Co-Signer (spouse/common-law only).

  • A newborn increases family size and can raise the required MNI/LICO threshold.

  • A separation may change household composition, undertakings, and financial calculations.

  • Dependent changes can affect the Parent(s)’ PR structure and the sponsor’s financial calculation.

If a change occurs, do not ignore it – misalignment between your declared family composition and IRCC’s required calculation can lead to serious processing consequences.

If you experienced a family size change and want to confirm how it affects Parents PR Sponsorship eligibility for your Mother/Father, talk to a Parent Immigration Consultant, review fees, or book a consultation.

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You can withdraw a PGP Parents PR Sponsorship application by submitting a withdrawal request through the official IRCC contact method for your file. Timing matters—if a final PR decision is made before withdrawal is processed, the result may not change. Refund eligibility depends on what fees were paid and what stage processing is at. Keep proof of your request and confirmation messages.

How do I withdraw or cancel a PGP sponsorship application after submitting it?

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Withdrawing a Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) application is handled as a formal withdrawal request to IRCC. IRCC’s official guidance explains that sponsors can request withdrawal using IRCC’s designated contact channel and must provide the identifying details IRCC needs to locate the file and verify authority to act.

Key points for Parents PR Sponsorship withdrawal:

  • Authority and identity: IRCC may require proof that the requester is authorized to receive or change information on the file (especially where the principal applicant’s file details are involved).

  • Timing: If IRCC reaches a final PR decision before the withdrawal is processed, your request may not have the intended effect.

  • Refunds: Refund outcomes are stage-dependent (for example, processing fees vs other fee components), so the correct next step depends on what IRCC has already processed.

Families commonly withdraw due to income changes, family composition changes, or shifting plans (for example, using a Parent Visa / Super Visa route temporarily). Regardless of reason, the safest approach is to withdraw through the official IRCC process and retain evidence of submission.

If you want to withdraw and also plan the best next option for your Parent(s) in Canada, speak with Parent Sponsorship Consultants , review fees, or book a consultation.

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If a PGP application is refused, review the refusal reasons first and confirm whether it was refused or returned as incomplete. Some sponsors may have an appeal option depending on the refusal type, but not every refusal is appealable. Reapplying usually depends on being invited again in a future Parents and Grandparents Program intake. Many families use a Grandaperent Visa (Super Visa) or Parent Visa as an interim Parents Immigration solution for Reunification in Canada.

What can I do if a PGP application is refused—can I reapply or appeal?

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If IRCC refuses a Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) case, your next steps depend on what happened and why. First, determine whether IRCC issued a refusal decision or returned the file as incomplete – these are different outcomes with different remedies. Then, identify whether the issue was sponsor eligibility (often tied to MNI/LICO, family size, or Co-Signer rules) or the Parent(s)’ PR eligibility/admissibility side.

Appeal: Some refused family sponsorship decisions can have an appeal pathway for the sponsor, but the availability depends on the refusal category and the legal basis of the decision.

Reapply: Reapplying under PGP usually requires waiting for a future intake and being invited again, because PGP is not continuously open.

Interim option for Reunification: Many Canadian families use a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa or Visitor Visa for Parents so they can spend time in Canada while waiting for the next Parents and Grandparents Immigration opportunity.

If your Parents PR Sponsorship was refused and you want a structured recovery plan (appeal feasibility, re-invite strategy, or Parent Visa route), speak with Parent Immigration Consultant , review fees, or book a consultation.

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