Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a unique Immigration program allowing both Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their own parents and grandparents for Canadian permanent residence.

Who can sponsor their parents or grandparents under the PGP?

In order to sponsor your parents or grandparents under the PGP, you must:

• be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
• have received an Invitation to apply;
• be at least 18 years of age;
• live in Canada;
• have sufficient income to meet the needs of your parents and grandparents to be sponsored; and
• meet all other requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

What are my ongoing obligations if I sponsor my parents or grandparents under the PGP?

Those wishing to sponsor their parents or grandparents under the PGP will need to sign an undertaking with IRCC. For sponsors residing outside the province of Quebec, this undertaking commits you to providing financial support for your sponsored family members for 20 years from the date they become a permanent resident of Canada. In addition to this, you will need to repay any provincial social assistance your sponsored family member receives during the 20-year period.

The undertaking also requires you to provide for the basic needs of your sponsored family members, including food, clothing utilities etc.

For sponsors residing in the province of Quebec, the undertaking is for a duration of 10 years from the date your sponsored family members become permanent residents of Canada.

How much income do I need to show to sponsor my parents and grandparents under the PGP?

All sponsors must make enough money to support their parents and grandparents in Canada. If invited to apply, the sponsor must show that they have met the income requirement for the last 3 tax years. If your spouse or common-law partner is acting as a co-signer on the application, you can use their income from the last 3 tax years towards meeting the minimum income cut off. For 2021 submissions, IRCC will assess the income from tax years 2020, 2019 and 2018.

The total income you are required to demonstrate depends on the size of your family, the number of people you are sponsoring under the PGP and whether you are residing in Quebec. Minimum income requirements can be found here.

What document do I need to submit an application for permanent residence under the PGP?

If you have received an invitation to apply for the PGP, you must submit an application to sponsor your parents and grandparents. As part of this application, you can expect to submit the following:

• Completed application forms;
• Proof of status in Canada;
• Proof of physical presence in Canada;
• Civil status documents;
• Proof you meet the minimum income cut-off for the 3 tax years prior to submitting the application;
• Police Certificate and Clearances from all countries your parent or grandparent has lived in for six months or longer past the age of 18;
• Medical certificate for your parent and grandparent;
• Proof of payment for applicable government fees;
• Digital photo.