Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship

Overview

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a popular Canadian immigration pathway that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for Canadian permanent residence. The program operates on an annual intake model, typically through an Expression of Interest (EOI) or lottery system, due to its high demand.

How it works

Each year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) opens an intake period for the PGP. During this period, eligible potential sponsors submit an online interest to sponsor form. Due to the significant interest in the program, IRCC conducts a lottery to select a limited number of eligible sponsors who will then be invited to submit a complete application. Those invited to apply have a specific deadline to submit their full application package, including all required forms and supporting documents.

The sponsorship undertakes a commitment to provide financial support for the sponsored relatives for a period of 20 years, starting from the date they become permanent residents. This includes meeting their basic needs, such as housing, food, and clothing, and ensuring they do not need to seek social assistance from the government. The sponsor must also meet specific income requirements, demonstrating their financial capacity to support the sponsored family members.

Who it's for

The PGP is designed for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who wish to reunite with their parents and grandparents by bringing them to live permanently in Canada. The program is ideal for those who meet the strict eligibility criteria, particularly the income requirements, and are prepared to undertake a long-term financial commitment. It is for individuals who have a genuine desire and capacity to support their family members' integration into Canadian society.

To be eligible to sponsor your parents and grandparents, you must meet several criteria:

• Be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident: You must reside in Canada at the time of your application and throughout the processing period. If you are a Canadian citizen living abroad, you must demonstrate your intention to return to Canada when your sponsored parents or grandparents become permanent residents.
• Be 18 years of age or older: You must be at least 18 years old to be a sponsor.
• Meet Minimum Necessary Income (MNI): You must meet or exceed the MNI for your family size, which includes yourself, your spouse/common-law partner, dependent children, and the number of parents/grandparents you intend to sponsor. The MNI is based on the Low Income Cut-off (LICO) plus 30% and is published annually by IRCC. You must demonstrate that you have met this income level for the three consecutive tax years immediately preceding the date you submit your application.
• Sign a Sponsorship Agreement: You must sign an undertaking promising to provide financial support for your sponsored parents or grandparents for 20 years from the date they become permanent residents. This undertaking makes you responsible for repaying any provincial social assistance payments received by your sponsored family members during that period.
• Undertake a Co-signer (Optional but Recommended): Your spouse or common-law partner can co-sign the application to help meet the MNI requirements. If they co-sign, they are equally responsible for the undertaking.
• No Ineligibility: You must not be in default of a previous sponsorship undertaking, subject to a removal order, in prison, or have certain criminal convictions.

Your sponsored parents and grandparents must also be admissible to Canada, meaning they must pass medical examinations and criminal and security checks. They cannot be inadmissible for reasons such as serious criminality, misrepresentation, or specific health conditions that would cause excessive demand on Canadian health or social services.

When invited to apply, a comprehensive list of documents will be required. These generally include:

• Completed Application Forms: Various forms specific to sponsorship, applicant, and dependants.
• Proof of Canadian Status: Your Canadian birth certificate, citizenship card, permanent resident card, or passport.
• Proof of Income: Notices of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the three consecutive tax years preceding the application, T4s, and other income verification documents.
• Proof of Relationship: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, or other official documents proving your relationship to your parents or grandparents.
• Identity Documents for Sponsored Individuals: Passports, birth certificates, and national identity cards for all sponsored parents/grandparents and their accompanying dependants.
• Medical Examination Results: Confirmation of completion of upfront medical exams or instructions for undertaking them.
• Police Certificates: From any country where the sponsored individuals have lived for six months or more since the age of 18.
• Digital Photos: Meeting IRCC's specifications.
• Customary Declarations and Undertakings: Including the Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking.

The application process for the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship program generally involves the following steps:

1. Submit an Interest to Sponsor Form: During the annual intake period, eligible Canadian citizens or permanent residents express their interest in sponsoring their parents and/or grandparents by submitting an online form on the IRCC website. This is not an application but an expression of interest to participate in the lottery.
2. Invitation to Apply (ITA): IRCC conducts a lottery or random selection process from the pool of eligible interest to sponsor forms. If selected, potential sponsors receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
3. Prepare and Submit the Application Package: Once an ITA is received, sponsors have a limited timeframe (typically 60 calendar days) to meticulously prepare and submit a complete application package. This includes filling out all required forms, gathering supporting documents, demonstrating financial eligibility, and paying the applicable government fees.
4. Sponsor and Sponsored Person Eligibility Assessment: IRCC assesses both the sponsor's eligibility (income requirements, sponsorship undertaking, etc.) and the sponsored parents' or grandparents' eligibility (admissibility, medicals, police checks, etc.).
5. Biometrics Submission: Sponsored individuals (and any accompanying family members) will receive instructions to provide their biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at a designated service point.
6. Medical Examination: All sponsored individuals must undergo a medical examination by an IRCC-approved panel physician.
7. Police Certificates: Sponsored individuals must provide police certificates from all countries where they have lived for 6 months or more since turning 18.
8. Final Decision: If all requirements are met and the sponsored individuals are found admissible, IRCC issues a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if applicable).

Under the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship program, the sponsored parents or grandparents can include their spouse or common-law partner, as well as their dependent children, on the same application. A dependent child is defined as a child under 22 years of age who does not have a spouse or common-law partner. If they are 22 years or older, they must have depended on their parents for financial support and have been unable to support themselves due to a mental or physical condition since before the age of 22. All accompanying family members must meet Canada's admissibility requirements.

Once parents or grandparents are approved for permanent residence through this program, they will receive full permanent resident status. This status grants them the right to live, work, or study anywhere in Canada. They will have access to most social benefits, including health care coverage. They are not restricted to specific employers or types of work and can pursue any lawful employment commensurate with their skills and qualifications.

The Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship program is a direct pathway to Canadian permanent residence for the sponsored individuals. Upon successful completion of the application process and meeting all admissibility requirements, the sponsored parents and grandparents are granted permanent resident status in Canada. After residing in Canada for a certain period as permanent residents and meeting specific residency obligations, they may become eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.

• Failure to meet Minimum Necessary Income (MNI): This is a primary reason for refusal. Sponsors must consistently demonstrate sufficient income for the three tax years preceding the application.
• Incomplete application package: Missing forms, documents, or information leads to the application being returned or refused.
• Misrepresentation: Providing false information or withholding material facts on the application can result in a refusal and a ban from reapplying for several years.
• Sponsor in default of a previous undertaking: If the sponsor has failed to meet obligations from a previous sponsorship, they become ineligible.
• Inadmissibility of sponsored persons: Failure to pass medical, security, or criminal checks for any sponsored family member will result in refusal.
• Relationship not proven: Insufficient evidence to establish the relationship between the sponsor and the sponsored parents or grandparents.