Parents and Grandparents Program
Overview
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for Canadian permanent residence. Due to high demand, IRCC manages access to the program through an annual randomised intake process — potential sponsors submit an Interest to Sponsor form during an open period, and a limited number of sponsors are randomly selected and invited to submit a full sponsorship application. The sponsor must meet a minimum income threshold (LICO plus 30%) for at least the 3 years before applying.
The PGP is one of the most oversubscribed family class streams in Canada. The annual intake is typically around 15,000–30,000 spaces (varying by year), but the demand far exceeds supply. Potential sponsors who are not selected in a given year must re-submit their Interest to Sponsor form in the next open period. There is no priority for repeated unsuccessful attempts.
Eligibility
Sponsor requirements
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 years old
- Residing in Canada
- Not subject to any sponsorship bar (see sponsorship bars)
- Must meet the minimum income threshold (LICO + 30%) for at least the 3 taxation years immediately before applying
Minimum income threshold (LICO + 30%)
The PGP income threshold is higher than for spousal sponsorship. The sponsor must prove income at 30% above the LICO for their family size for each of the 3 years before applying. Example figures for 2025:
| Family size (including sponsored persons) | Minimum income required |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $38,185 |
| 3 persons | $46,965 |
| 4 persons | $57,013 |
| 5 persons | $64,641 |
| 6 persons | $72,852 |
| 7 persons | $81,110 |
| Each additional | +$8,258 |
Income is calculated as total income from line 15000 of the Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency for each of the 3 years.
The 20-year undertaking
Sponsors of parents and grandparents must sign a 20-year undertaking — a legally binding commitment to financially support the sponsored persons and to repay any social assistance received from the government. The 20-year undertaking is significantly longer than the 3-year undertaking for spouses and the 10-year undertaking for dependent children.
Selection criteria
Application process
Intake process — Interest to Sponsor
- During IRCC's annual open period, submit an Interest to Sponsor form online
- If randomly selected, receive an invitation to apply and complete the full sponsorship application within the deadline (typically 60 days)
- Submit the sponsorship application with proof of income (3 years of NOAs), the undertaking, and the sponsored person's application
- Undergo sponsorship approval assessment (income threshold, sponsorship bar checks)
- If approved, the sponsored parent/grandparent's permanent residence application is processed
Super Visa — the alternative while waiting
Given the highly competitive intake process, many families use the Super Visa as an interim measure. The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to 5 years at a time (renewable) without needing to leave and re-enter. See the Super Visa program page for details.