Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Canada 2026: What You Need to Know

Bringing your parents or grandparents to Canada permanently is the goal of many families. The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) is the formal pathway to do this, but it is one of the most competitive and capacity-limited programs in the Canadian immigration system.

How the PGP Works: The Interest to Sponsor Process

IRCC does not accept PGP sponsorship applications continuously. Instead, the program operates through an Interest to Sponsor form that IRCC opens for a limited window each year, usually in January or early in the year.

• IRCC announces an opening period for Interest to Sponsor submissions (typically lasting a few weeks)
• Eligible sponsors submit an online Interest to Sponsor form
• IRCC randomly selects a set number of sponsors from all submissions
• Selected sponsors receive an invitation to submit a full sponsorship application within a specified deadline

In 2025, IRCC invited 15,000 sponsors from the pool. The number varies year to year. Because the selection is random rather than points-based, submitting as early as possible and in every open window improves your chances.

Who Can Sponsor?

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Be at least 18 years old
• Live in Canada
• Meet the minimum necessary income (MNI) threshold for your household size for the three most recent tax years

The income requirement is a critical one. If your income falls short in any of the three years, your application may be refused. A co-signer can be added to meet the income requirement.

The Super Visa: A Practical Alternative While You Wait

Because PGP spots are limited and the wait can be years, many families use the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa as an interim option. The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to five years at a time, with the ability to re-enter multiple times over a ten-year validity period.

• Have a letter of invitation from the Canadian child or grandchild
• Have the Canadian child or grandchild meet the minimum necessary income
• Obtain private medical insurance from a Canadian provider (minimum $100,000 coverage)
• Pass admissibility and medical checks

The Super Visa is not a pathway to permanent residency. However, it allows families to live together while waiting for PGP spots to become available.

How Long Does PGP Processing Take?

Once a full sponsorship application is submitted and accepted, processing at IRCC typically takes 20 to 24 months. This does not include the time spent waiting for an invitation. Total time from Interest to Sponsor to a final decision can be several years.

Common Reasons Sponsorships Are Refused

• Sponsor fails to meet the minimum necessary income in one or more of the required years
• Sponsored person is medically inadmissible
• Criminal inadmissibility of the sponsored person
• Misrepresentation in the application
• Sponsor has a prior unsuccessful sponsorship with outstanding undertaking obligations

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sponsor both my parents at the same time? Yes. Both parents can be included in a single application. However, sponsoring both affects the household size calculation for the income requirement.

What if my parents have a medical condition? Pre-existing medical conditions do not automatically make someone inadmissible. IRCC assesses whether the condition would place excessive demand on Canadian health or social services. A lawyer can help evaluate the risk before you apply.

Can my parents work in Canada once they arrive as permanent residents? Yes. Once your parents receive permanent resident status, they have the right to work anywhere in Canada without a separate work permit.

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, contact Ellan Law Corporation at 431-458-3526 or book a consultation at calendly.com/ellanlaw.