In the interest of family reunification, Canada allows permanent residents and citizens to sponsor parents and grandparents through a specific immigration stream. Parental sponsorship falls under Family Class and is governed by clear statutory and administrative requirements. The 2025 intake for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) continues a system that balances opportunity with obligation.
The Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada has announced its plans to send out invitations for the 2025 intake starting from July 28th, 2025, with a target of 10,000 complete applications from 17,860 invitations.
Here is a breakdown of what the current program demands and what prospective sponsors must understand before proceeding.
Who Qualifies As A Sponsor?
Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents who meet certain financial and legal requirements are eligible. To qualify, a sponsor must:
1. Be at least 18 years old.
2. Reside in Canada.
3. Meet or exceed the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the last three tax years.
4. Commit to a 20-year undertaking. This means agreeing to repay any social assistance received by sponsored persons during this period.
Sponsors living in Quebec face slightly different rules. They must meet the province’s income threshold and sign a distinct understanding with the Quebec government.
The income requirement is not optional. Sponsors must submit Notices of Assessment from the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) to demonstrate their financial capacity and prove their eligibility. Household size and any previous sponsorship commitments affect how much income is required.
For the 2025 intake, sponsors must meet the MNI set for the three previous tax years of 2024, 2023 and 2022. For instance, a two-person household in 2024 required an income of at least $47,549; a three-person household required $58,456 for the same year. These figures are adjusted annually, based on the low income cut-off (LICO) thresholds.
What It Means To Be A Sponsor?
Being a sponsor in the Parents and Grandparents Program extends beyond merely submitting an application. It is a profound legal and financial commitment to fully support such family members, ensuring that they do not need social assistance from the Canadian government.
A sponsor agrees to provide for the essential needs of those they bring to Canada. This includes food, clothing, shelter and other daily living necessities. It also encompasses healthcare. It is a comprehensive responsibility of serious undertaking.
How Are Applicants Selected?
This program is not first come, first serve neither is it accessible on-demand. It runs on an invitation-based system. Individuals who previously submitted an interest to sponsor form are randomly selected by the IRCC. Only selected individuals will receive invitations to apply.
For 2024 and 2025, the IRCC is focusing on candidates who submitted interest forms in 2020. New forms are not being accepted at this time. For the 2024 cohort, the IRCC aimed to send out 35,700 invitations, with the goal of accepting 20,500 complete applications. In 2025, the IRCC has committed to sending out 17,860 invitations over two weeks beginning on July 28, 2025, from which 10,000 complete applications are expected.
This system ensures that intending sponsors must wait for an official invitation before applying.
Essential Documents For Application
Once invited, sponsors must compile and submit a complete application package. This includes:
- Proof of status in Canada.
- Proof of income (for the three most recent years).
- Identity documents for the sponsored parent or grandparents.
- Signed undertaking forms.
- Relationship evidence, birth certificate or other legal records.
Any incomplete application may be returned or rejected outright.
Alternatives To The Parent and Grandparents Program
Those who do not receive an invitation for the PGP still have an option. The Super Visa offers temporary residence for parents and grandparents. It allows multiple entries for up to 10 years and permits stays of up to 5 years at a time.
While the Super Visa does not provide permanent residence, it allows families to reunite for long periods. However, it requires a minimum level of private health insurance for the super visa to be granted. Changes to the health insurance rule has made it more accessible to families looking to be reunited in Canada, as the insurance no longer needs to be from a Canadian provider. However, for a health coverage policy from outside Canada to be acceptable, the policy must –
- Be issued by a foreign insurance company authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to provide accident and sickness insurance.
- Appear on the OSFI’s list of federally regulated institutions.
- Be issued under the company’s insurance business in Canada.
The Gravity of Sponsorship Commitment
Sponsoring a parents or grandparents is a serious legal agreement that binds a sponsor to fiscal responsibility for 20 years. This applies even if the relationship changes or the sponsored person becomes a citizen.
Sponsors must not default. Failure to honour the undertaking can affect future immigration applications and lead to legal action for recovery of social assistance payments.
FInal Notes
The Parents and Grandparents Program process is neither swift nor guaranteed. It requires clear eligibility, financial stability and procedural diligence. Sponsors must stay alert to updates from the IRCC and prepare thoroughly.
Sponsorship is not just an application, but rather a long-term legal promise. As such, the Parents and Grandparents Program requires great care and due diligence.
For high-quality legal advice or professional review of your eligibility, reach out to JBLaw Professional Corporation. We offer informed support to help you meet your Canadian immigration objectives with clarity and precision.