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Family Reunification

Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship (PGP)

Want your parents or grandparents to live permanently in Canada? The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows an eligible Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Indian Act to sponsor qualifying parents or grandparents for permanent residence when invited by IRCC.

01 What Is the Parents and Grandparents Program?

The PGP is a family sponsorship program through which eligible sponsors may help their biological or adopted parents and grandparents become permanent residents of Canada.

IRCC paused new PGP intake on July 15, 2026. It is not accepting new interest to sponsor forms or issuing invitations until further notice, although existing applications continue to be processed.

A PGP case includes a sponsorship application and a permanent residence application. IRCC must approve the sponsor, and the people being sponsored and their family members must meet medical, criminal, security, and other immigration requirements.

02 Who Can Sponsor?

In general, you must:

  • be invited by IRCC to apply;
  • be at least 18 years old;
  • be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Indian Act;
  • have your primary residential address in Canada when you apply and until IRCC makes a decision;
  • meet the applicable income requirement; and
  • sign an undertaking agreeing to provide financial support.

When You May Not Be Eligible to Sponsor

  • you receive social assistance for a reason other than disability;
  • you did not meet the obligations of a previous sponsorship;
  • you have not repaid certain immigration debts or court-ordered family support;
  • you are an undischarged bankrupt, in prison, or subject to a removal order; or
  • you have certain criminal convictions.
Quebec residents must meet provincial sponsorship and income requirements and submit a Quebec undertaking only when instructed to do so.

03 Who Can You Sponsor?

The application may include qualifying family members connected to your parent or grandparent.

Your Parent or Grandparent

You may sponsor your own biological or adopted parents and grandparents. One qualifying parent or grandparent must be named as the principal applicant.

Their Spouse or Partner

A parent’s or grandparent’s spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner may generally be included as a dependant. Divorced parents normally require separate applications.

Their Dependent Children

Qualifying dependent children of the parent or grandparent, such as your sibling, half-sibling, or step-sibling, and their dependent children may be included.

Your Spouse’s or Partner’s Parents

You cannot use your invitation to sponsor your in-laws. Your spouse or partner must receive their own invitation and act as the sponsor; you may be able to co-sign that application.

04 Income Requirements

Outside Quebec, you must prove that your income met the applicable threshold for each of the three tax years immediately before the application. The amount changes with your family size and the intake year.

3
years

First Relevant Tax Year

Your family size and income are assessed for the earliest of the three relevant tax years.

3
years

Second Relevant Tax Year

You must independently meet the applicable threshold for the middle tax year.

3
years

Most Recent Relevant Tax Year

You must also meet the applicable threshold for the most recent tax year before applying.

Your spouse or common-law partner may co-sign so that your incomes can be combined. The co-signer must meet the applicable eligibility requirements, provide proof of income, and share responsibility under the undertaking.

05 What Are a Sponsor’s Responsibilities?

You must sign an undertaking and sponsorship agreement. You agree to provide basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, and health-related expenses not covered by public health insurance, and to repay social assistance paid to the sponsored family members during the undertaking period.

20
years

Undertaking Period Outside Quebec

The undertaking begins when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident and lasts 20 years. For a sponsor living in Quebec, the period is 10 years.

Once permanent residence is granted, the undertaking cannot be cancelled or shortened. It continues despite financial difficulty, a change in the relationship, a move, or the sponsored person becoming a Canadian citizen.

06 How to Apply

The PGP uses controlled intake. The usual steps are:

Check the Current Intake

Confirm whether IRCC is accepting interest to sponsor forms. The program does not accept new applications continuously.

Receive an Invitation

You may submit a PGP application only if IRCC invites you. An invitation cannot be transferred to another person.

Prepare Both Applications

Complete the sponsorship and permanent residence forms and gather identity, civil-status, relationship, income, and other required documents.

Submit Online

The principal applicant generally submits both applications together through the Permanent Residence Portal by the deadline in the invitation.

Respond to IRCC

IRCC may request biometrics, medical examinations, police certificates, updated forms, an interview, or additional documents before making a decision.

07 Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit a new PGP application now?+
No. IRCC paused new PGP intake on July 15, 2026 and will not accept new interest to sponsor forms or issue invitations until further notice. Existing applications continue to be processed.
Can I sponsor my parents or grandparents without an invitation?+
No. You must receive an invitation from IRCC before submitting a PGP application.
Can my spouse or partner help me meet the income requirement?+
Yes. Your spouse or common-law partner may co-sign the application and combine their income with yours, provided they meet the applicable requirements and accept equal responsibility under the undertaking.
Can I sponsor my in-laws?+
You cannot use your invitation to sponsor your spouse’s or partner’s parents or grandparents. Your spouse or partner must receive their own invitation and act as the sponsor; you may be able to co-sign.
Can I cancel the undertaking?+
You may request withdrawal before the sponsored family members become permanent residents. After permanent residence is granted, the undertaking cannot be cancelled or shortened.
Is there another option while PGP intake is paused?+
A parent or grandparent may consider a super visa for extended visits if they meet its requirements. A super visa provides temporary resident status, not permanent residence.

Talk to a Licensed Expert

Need help assessing a PGP application?

Our licensed team can review sponsor eligibility, family size, income records, and the documents required for an invited application.

Book a Consultation Free Assessment
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