Canada's Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence under the Family Class (IRPA s.12(1)). Unlike most immigration streams, PGP uses a randomized intake process — sponsors must submit an interest to sponsor form during a limited intake window and may be selected by lottery. This guide covers who qualifies, the intake process, income requirements, the 20-year undertaking, government fees, and the Super Visa as an alternative.
Who Can Sponsor Under PGP?
Under IRPA s.13 and IRPR s.130, a sponsor must meet all of the following requirements:
- ✓ Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (or a registered Indian under the Indian Act)
- ✓ Be at least 18 years of age
- ✓ Reside in Canada (Canadian citizens living abroad may sponsor but must intend to reside in Canada when the sponsored person becomes a PR)
- ✓ Meet the LICO+30% minimum necessary income for the 3 most recent consecutive tax years
- ✓ Not be subject to a removal order, not be in prison, and not have been convicted of certain criminal offences
- ✓ Not be in default of a previous sponsorship undertaking
- ✓ Not have declared bankruptcy (unless discharged)
The sponsored person must be the sponsor's parent or grandparent, and may include the parent's/grandparent's dependent children as co-applicants.
The Intake Process — Lottery System
The PGP intake process is a two-phase system. IRCC limits the number of applications it accepts each year and uses a randomized selection from interested sponsors:
1. Interest to Sponsor
IRCC opens an interest to sponsor window (typically for a limited period). Sponsors submit an online interest form — this is not the full application. The window opens with short notice; watch the IRCC website closely.
2. Random Selection
From all interest forms received, IRCC randomly selects a set number of sponsors and invites them to submit a full sponsorship application. In recent years, IRCC has accepted 15,000–35,000 PGP applications annually, subject to government targets.
3. Full Application
Invited sponsors have 60 days to submit a complete sponsorship application package. The full application includes the sponsor's income documentation, relationship proof, and the principal applicant's forms.
4. Visa Office Processing
After the sponsorship is approved in Canada, the application is forwarded to the appropriate visa office abroad for assessment of the parent/grandparent's admissibility, medical examination, and biometrics.
2024 intake changes: IRCC has adjusted PGP intake numbers as part of broader immigration level planning. Check the IRCC website for the most current intake announcement. If you are not selected in one intake, you may submit a new interest to sponsor form in a future intake window.
Income Requirements — LICO+30%
PGP sponsors must demonstrate income at least 30% above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for the 3 most recent consecutive tax years. The LICO+30% threshold is based on family size, which includes the sponsor, the sponsor's spouse/partner (if applicable), existing dependants, and the persons being sponsored. Consult our LICO income requirements guide for a detailed table and explanation of what counts as income. Key points:
- ✓ Income must be demonstrated for 3 consecutive tax years (not just the most recent)
- ✓ Acceptable income sources: employment income, self-employment income, rental income, and other taxable income as evidenced by CRA Notices of Assessment (NOA)
- ✓ Social assistance is NOT counted as income for PGP sponsorship purposes
- ✓ The sponsor's spouse/partner's income may be counted if they co-sign the sponsorship undertaking
- ✓ A co-signer can help meet the income threshold — the co-signer takes on joint financial responsibility
⚠ Important distinction
Spousal/partner sponsors are generally EXEMPT from the minimum income requirement. The LICO+30% income requirement applies specifically to PGP sponsorships — not spousal sponsorships (unless there are dependent children being sponsored simultaneously).
The 20-Year Undertaking
By signing the sponsorship undertaking, the sponsor makes a legally binding commitment under IRPR s.132 to financially support the sponsored parent or grandparent for 20 years from the date the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. This means:
- ✓ If the sponsored person receives provincial social assistance during the undertaking period, the province may seek repayment from the sponsor
- ✓ The undertaking continues even if the relationship breaks down, the sponsor divorces, or changes in financial circumstances occur
- ✓ The undertaking is not discharged by bankruptcy
- ✓ Death of the sponsor may not extinguish the undertaking — provincial enforcement can vary
- ✓ The 20-year period starts from the date the parent/grandparent becomes a permanent resident — not from application date
Sponsors who default on a prior undertaking (i.e., fail to repay social assistance received by a previously sponsored person) are ineligible to sponsor again. A licensed immigration lawyer can advise on the implications of the 20-year undertaking in your province.
Government Fees — ~$1,165+ per Principal Applicant
The following government fees apply for PGP sponsorship (Last verified: March 2026):
| Fee Item | Amount (CAD) | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship application fee | $75 | Sponsor |
| Principal applicant processing fee | $490 | Parent/Grandparent (principal applicant) |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | $515 | Principal applicant (paid before landing) |
| Biometrics (if required) | $85 | Principal applicant |
| Medical examination | ~$250–$450 | Principal applicant (varies by country/clinic) |
| Approximate Total (per principal applicant) | ~$1,165+ | Both parties |
Additional dependants included in the application pay separate processing fees. Use our Immigration Fee Calculator for a personalized estimate including all family members.
Processing Times
PGP processing times are among the longest in the Family Class. IRCC publishes current processing time estimates on its website — always check canada.ca for the most up-to-date figures. Historical context (Last verified: March 2026):
- ✓ Processing times have historically ranged from approximately 20–36 months from application submission to PR landing
- ✓ Times vary by visa office (country of origin) and file complexity
- ✓ Medical and security checks can add additional time
- ✓ IRCC's published target is to process 80% of PGP applications within a given timeframe — check canada.ca for current data
💡 Super Visa as a bridge
While waiting for PGP processing, many families use the Super Visa to allow parents and grandparents to visit Canada for extended periods — up to 5 years per visit. See our Super Visa vs PGP comparison guide.
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Get Your Pathway Report — $149.99Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I'm not selected in the PGP lottery?+
If your interest to sponsor form is not selected, you are not invited to apply that year. You may submit a new interest to sponsor form during the next intake window. IRCC opens new intake windows periodically — watch canada.ca for announcements. In the meantime, the Super Visa may allow your parents or grandparents to visit Canada for up to 5 years.
Can I include my parent's spouse or partner in the PGP application?+
Yes. If your parent has a spouse or common-law partner, that person can be included as a co-applicant in the PGP application. Dependent children of the principal applicant may also be included. Separate processing fees apply for each additional person.
What documents do I need to prove my income?+
IRCC requires Notices of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the 3 most recent consecutive tax years, along with T4 slips, T1 General returns, or other income evidence. If the sponsor's spouse/co-signer's income is being counted, their NOAs are also required. See our Document Checklist tool for a full list.
Can I apply for PGP if my parents are already in Canada as visitors?+
Your parents can be in Canada as visitors at the time you submit the interest to sponsor form and even during application processing. However, the PGP sponsorship itself is typically processed as an outland application through the visa office in the parents' home country. The fact that parents are visiting Canada does not change the processing pathway. Consult a licensed immigration lawyer for specific guidance.
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Open Document Checklist → FreeImportant: This tool provides general information based on publicly available Canadian immigration law (IRPA). Results are not a determination of admissibility. Only a CBSA officer at a port of entry can make admissibility decisions. For complex legal situations, professional guidance may also be beneficial.