Canada Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship: Requirements, Eligibility, Process & Documents for Indians
Sponsor your parents and grandparents for Canadian PR through the invitation-based Parents and Grandparents Program. LICO+30% income for 3 years, 20-year undertaking, ~20-24 month processing.
~20-24 months
CAD 1,205 + CAD 85 biometrics
Permanent Residence
Canada Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship (PGP) is a permanent residency stream administered by IRCC under the Family Class that allows Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians under the Indian Act to sponsor their parents and grandparents for PR. PGP is invitation-based — sponsors must first submit an Interest to Sponsor form during the annual intake window and wait for a randomised invitation to apply. PGP is the largest annual non-Express-Entry PR pathway and reunites multi-generational families through a legally binding 20-year sponsorship undertaking.
Eligible sponsors must be at least 18 years old, reside in Canada, and meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI = LICO + 30%) for 3 consecutive tax years immediately before applying. A co-signing spouse or common-law partner may combine income to meet MNI. Government fees are CAD 1,205 per adult — CAD 85 sponsorship fee, CAD 545 processing fee, and CAD 575 Right of Permanent Residence Fee — plus CAD 85 for biometrics. The sponsorship undertaking is 20 years from PR and processing takes approximately 20-24 months. If you are not invited under PGP, the Canada Super Visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa allowing parents and grandparents to stay up to 5 years per entry over a 10-year validity.
Eligibility
Who can apply for Canada Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship?
Canada PGP is open to Canadian citizens, PRs, and registered Indians aged 18+ residing in Canada who can meet the Minimum Necessary Income test for 3 consecutive tax years and who are invited to apply during the annual intake. The audience profiles below summarise who typically qualifies in 2026.
- Canadian citizens aged 18 or older residing in Canada and able to meet the Minimum Necessary Income test for 3 consecutive tax years
- Permanent residents aged 18 or older with valid PR status, currently residing in Canada, who meet MNI for 3 consecutive tax years
- Registered Indians under the Canadian Indian Act, regardless of citizenship or PR status, who meet MNI for 3 consecutive tax years
- Sponsors who can demonstrate income through Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notices of Assessment for the most recent 3 tax years
- Sponsors with a co-signing spouse or common-law partner whose combined income meets MNI (the co-signer signs the same undertaking)
- Parents and grandparents (biological, step, or legally adopted) of the sponsor, plus their dependent children where applicable
- Sponsors residing in Canada who have not defaulted on a previous sponsorship undertaking and are not under specified inadmissibility bars
- Sponsors who first submitted an Interest to Sponsor (ITS) form during the most recent IRCC intake window and were invited to apply
- Sponsors residing in Quebec who additionally complete the Quebec selection process with MIFI under separate provincial rules
PGP is invitation-based — sponsors must first submit an Interest to Sponsor form during the annual IRCC intake window and wait for a randomised invitation. Quebec sponsors complete a separate provincial selection with MIFI in addition to the federal application. Verify the current ITS intake status on canada.ca.
Routes
Types of Canada Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship
Two pathways exist for parents and grandparents to live with family in Canada. PGP is the full PR route — invitation-based, longer-running, and 20-year-undertaking. The Super Visa is the long-stay visitor visa alternative — faster, with a single-year income test, and no PR.
Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) — Permanent Residence
The full PR pathway. Annual intake is invitation-based — sponsors first submit an Interest to Sponsor form during the IRCC open window, and IRCC then issues invitations through a randomised draw. Invited sponsors must meet Minimum Necessary Income (LICO + 30%) for the most recent 3 consecutive tax years. The sponsorship undertaking is 20 years from PR. Processing takes approximately 20-24 months. Quebec applicants follow a separate provincial selection in addition to the federal application.
Canada Super Visa — Long-Stay Visitor Visa Alternative
A multiple-entry visitor visa for parents and grandparents who are not invited (or do not wish to apply) under PGP. The Super Visa allows stays of up to 5 years per entry, valid for up to 10 years. Sponsors must meet LICO + 30% (one tax year, not three), and the parent or grandparent must hold a CAD 100,000 Canadian health insurance policy valid for at least 1 year. Processing from India is approximately 169 days. The Super Visa does not lead to PR but is significantly faster and more accessible than PGP.
Requirements
What are the requirements and key details of Canada Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship?
Each Canada PGP application is judged against a defined set of measurable IRCC criteria covering sponsor status, sponsor age and residence, the Minimum Necessary Income test for 3 consecutive tax years, and the sponsorship undertaking length. The income test is the single most demanding requirement under the Family Class — verify the current LICO + 30% threshold for your family size on canada.ca before submitting an Interest to Sponsor.
- Sponsor Minimum Age: Sponsor must be 18 years or older at the time of submitting the sponsorship undertaking
- Sponsor Status: Sponsor must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Indian Act
- Sponsor Residence: Sponsor must reside in Canada (citizens may not sponsor parents/grandparents while living abroad — unlike spousal sponsorship)
- Sponsor Income — Minimum Necessary Income (MNI): Sponsor (or sponsor + co-signer) must meet LICO + 30% for the 3 consecutive tax years immediately preceding the application
- Income Proof: Notices of Assessment (NOA) or Option C Printouts from the Canada Revenue Agency for the most recent 3 tax years
- Co-Signer Allowed: Yes — a spouse or common-law partner may co-sign and combine income to meet MNI
- Sponsorship Undertaking Length: 20 years from the date PR is granted (the longest undertaking under the Family Class)
- Application Mode: Invitation-based — sponsors first submit an Interest to Sponsor form during the IRCC intake window; only invited sponsors may apply
- Sponsorship Application Fee: CAD 85 per sponsor
- Principal Applicant Processing Fee: CAD 545 per parent/grandparent
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): CAD 575 per adult
- Biometrics Fee: CAD 85 per applicant; CAD 170 family rate
- Section 117(9)(d) Bar: Parents/grandparents not declared and examined at the sponsor's own PR application are barred from being sponsored later — a hard, no-discretion bar
- Sponsor Inadmissibility Bars: Default on a previous undertaking, certain criminal convictions, undischarged bankruptcy, or being a sponsored spouse within 5 years of own PR
- Quebec Special Rules: Quebec sponsors sign a separate undertaking with MIFI (10 years for parents/grandparents in Quebec — shorter than the federal 20) and complete Quebec selection
- Alternative Route: Canada Super Visa (long-stay visitor visa, 5 years per entry, 10-year validity) for parents/grandparents not invited under PGP
Program Details
Canada Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship: Full Program Specifications & Immigration Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Official Program Name | Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) — Family Class Sponsorship |
| Visa Category | Permanent Residence — Family Class |
| Visa Type | Family Class (Sponsored) |
| Application Mode | Invitation-based via the Interest to Sponsor (ITS) form during the annual IRCC intake window |
| Points Based | No — relationship and income-based, not points-based |
| CRS Applicable | No |
| Province Specific | No (federal program; Quebec has separate selection rules) |
| Leads to PR | Yes — direct PR upon approval |
| Leads to Citizenship | Yes — after 3 years of physical presence as PR in the preceding 5 years |
| Sponsor Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Sponsor Status Required | Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Indian Act |
| Sponsor Residence Requirement | Sponsor must reside in Canada (no abroad-sponsorship for citizens, unlike spousal) |
| Sponsor Income Requirement | Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) = LICO + 30% for 3 consecutive tax years immediately before applying |
| MNI for Family of 2 (illustrative, 2025 tax year) | Approximately CAD 36,510 — verify the current IRCC income table at canada.ca for the exact threshold for your family size |
| MNI Family Size Calculation | Includes sponsor, sponsor's spouse/common-law, all dependants of sponsor, all sponsored persons (parents/grandparents), and their dependants |
| Income Proof Source | CRA Notices of Assessment or Option C Printouts for the 3 most recent tax years |
| Co-Signer Allowed | Yes — sponsor's spouse or common-law partner may combine income to meet MNI |
| Job Offer Required | No |
| Language Test Required | No |
| Work Experience Required | No |
| Education Requirement | No minimum |
| Sponsorship Undertaking | 20 years from PR (the longest under Family Class) |
| Eligible Sponsored Relatives | Sponsor's parents and grandparents (biological, step, or legally adopted), plus their dependent children |
| Sponsorship Application Fee | CAD 85 per sponsor |
| Principal Applicant Processing Fee | CAD 545 per parent/grandparent |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee | CAD 575 per adult |
| Biometrics Fee | CAD 85 per applicant; CAD 170 family rate |
| Total Government Fees per Adult | CAD 1,290 (CAD 85 + CAD 545 + CAD 575 + CAD 85 biometrics) |
| Biometrics Required | Yes — for applicants aged 14-79 |
| Biometrics Validity | 10 years from the date given |
| Medical Exam Required | Yes — by an IRCC-approved panel physician (eMedical) |
| Police Clearance Required | Yes — from every country lived in for 6 months or more since age 18 |
| Interview Required | Rare — at the visa officer's discretion |
| Processing Time (India) | Approximately 20-24 months (verify against the IRCC live processing-time tool) |
| Outcome on Arrival | Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) at port of entry; PR status activated on landing |
| Section 117(9)(d) Bar | Parents or grandparents not declared and examined at the sponsor's own PR landing are barred from future sponsorship |
| Sponsor Inadmissibility Bars | Bankruptcy, criminal convictions for specified offences, default on previous undertaking, or sponsored spouse within 5 years |
| Quebec Special Rules | Separate MIFI undertaking (10 years) and Quebec selection process — verify current Quebec PGP intake status |
| Alternative Pathway | Canada Super Visa for parents/grandparents not invited under PGP (long-stay visitor visa, no PR) |
| Official Source URL | canada.ca — Sponsor parents and grandparents |
* Data sourced from official IRCC publications. Fees and processing times subject to change — verify at canada.ca before applying.
Documents
What are the documents required for Canada Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship?
The Canada PGP application requires a financial-heavy document set covering 3 tax years of CRA-verified income, sponsor and parent/grandparent identity, relationship proof, medical clearance, and police clearance. Prepare each item below before responding to the invitation to apply.
- Valid Indian passport with at least 6 months validity beyond the application date for each sponsored parent and grandparent, plus digital passport-style photographs meeting IRCC specifications
- Sponsor's proof of status — Canadian citizenship certificate, Canadian passport, PR card, or Certificate of Indian Status (CIS)
- Completed sponsorship application forms — IMM 1344 (Sponsorship Agreement) and IMM 5768 (Financial Evaluation for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship)
- Completed Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) and Schedule A — Background/Declaration (IMM 5669) for each principal applicant
- Sponsor's Notices of Assessment (NOA) or Option C Printouts from the Canada Revenue Agency for the 3 most recent tax years — proving Minimum Necessary Income
- Sponsor's most recent T4 slips, employment letter, and pay stubs supporting the income claim
- If using a co-signer, the co-signer's NOA, T4 slips, employment letter, and pay stubs for the same 3 tax years
- Proof of relationship — birth certificates of the sponsor (showing the sponsored parent as parent) and the sponsored parent (showing the sponsored grandparent as parent)
- Adoption decree where the sponsored relationship is via legal adoption, plus translations into English or French
- Police clearance certificates from every country the sponsored parent or grandparent has lived in for 6 months or more since age 18
- Upfront medical examination (eMedical) results from an IRCC-approved panel physician for each sponsored parent and grandparent
- Biometrics — fingerprints and photograph collected at a VFS Canada centre in India for each applicant aged 14-79
- Sponsorship Undertaking and Agreement signed by the sponsor (and co-signer, where applicable) committing to 20 years of financial support from PR
- Quebec sponsors only — separate undertaking with the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI) and Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ)
- Marriage certificate or proof of common-law partnership for any accompanying dependent spouse of the sponsored parent or grandparent
- Birth certificates and dependency proof for any accompanying dependent children of the sponsored parent or grandparent
- Additional documents and requirements may vary based on the specific Canada Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship intake year, applicant profile, or immigration pathway
Application Process
How to Apply for Canada Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship: Step-by-Step Process
Apply for Canada PGP in eight sequential IRCC stages — from confirming sponsor income through submitting the Interest to Sponsor form, waiting for an invitation, gathering documents, paying CAD 1,290 in government fees per parent/grandparent, and submitting via the IRCC PR Portal within the invitation deadline.
Confirm Sponsor Eligibility and Income
Verify that the sponsor is a Canadian citizen, PR, or registered Indian aged 18 or older, residing in Canada, with no inadmissibility bars. Calculate income across the 3 most recent tax years against the IRCC Minimum Necessary Income table for your family size — including sponsor, sponsor's family, sponsored parents/grandparents, and their dependants. If individual income falls short, plan for a co-signing spouse or common-law partner.
Submit the Interest to Sponsor (ITS) Form
Watch the IRCC PGP page for the annual Interest to Sponsor intake window (typically opens in the autumn or early in a calendar year — verify current status on canada.ca). Submit the ITS online during the open window. Each sponsor may submit only one ITS per intake year. Save the confirmation number for reference.
Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
After the ITS window closes, IRCC issues invitations to apply through a randomised draw. The number of invitations is set against the annual PGP cap published in the Immigration Levels Plan. If you are not invited in the current year, your ITS does not carry forward — you must resubmit during the next intake. Consider applying for a Canada Super Visa as a long-stay alternative.
Gather Documents and Sign the Undertaking
Once invited, collect identity, status, relationship, financial, medical, and police-clearance documents. The sponsor signs the Sponsorship Agreement (IMM 1344) and Financial Evaluation (IMM 5768) committing to 20 years of financial support from PR. The co-signer (if any) signs the same undertaking. Quebec sponsors prepare a separate MIFI undertaking and Quebec Selection Certificate documents.
Submit the Application via the IRCC PR Portal
Within the deadline stated in the invitation letter, create an IRCC PR Portal account and upload the sponsorship application alongside the principal applicant's PR application. Pay the CAD 85 sponsorship fee, CAD 545 processing fee per parent/grandparent, CAD 575 Right of PR fee per adult, and CAD 85 biometrics fee per person aged 14-79.
Complete Biometrics, Medical, and Police Checks
After receiving the Biometrics Instruction Letter, each sponsored parent and grandparent attends a VFS Canada centre in India for fingerprints and photograph. Complete the upfront medical exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician — results upload directly to IRCC. Submit police clearance certificates from every country lived in for 6+ months since age 18.
Sponsor Eligibility and Application Review
IRCC first assesses the sponsor's eligibility and income. If the sponsor passes, the file moves to the visa office responsible for the principal applicant's country of residence for processing the principal applicant. A visa officer reviews relationship documents, medical and security clearances, and may request additional documents through the PR Portal.
Receive Permanent Residence and Land in Canada
If approved, each sponsored parent and grandparent receives a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa. They must land in Canada before the COPR expiry to activate PR status. The 20-year sponsorship undertaking begins on the date PR is granted — sponsors are financially responsible if their parents claim provincial social assistance during this period.
The application process, fees, and timelines may vary depending on the specific Canada Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship intake year, applicant category, and immigration program.
Canada Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship (PGP) is the primary PR pathway for parents and grandparents in the Family Class — but it is invitation-based, with annual caps set by the federal Immigration Levels Plan. Sponsors must first survive the Interest to Sponsor lottery, then meet the Minimum Necessary Income test for 3 consecutive tax years before the PR application is even processed.
For Indian applicants, PGP demands clean financial records — uninterrupted Canadian-tax-filed income above LICO + 30% for the most recent 3 years — and patience through a 20-24 month processing queue. Co-signing spouses are permitted and often necessary to meet MNI, especially in higher cost-of-living provinces. The 20-year undertaking is a serious commitment: any provincial social-assistance use by the sponsored parent during this period creates a debt the sponsor must repay.
If you are not invited under PGP in the current intake — or if the lottery odds make PGP a multi-year wait — the Canada Super Visa is the principal alternative. The Super Visa allows multiple entries of up to 5 years each over a 10-year validity, processes in roughly 169 days from India, and uses a single tax year of LICO + 30% rather than three. It does not lead to PR, but for many families it is the practical route to long-term family reunification while the PGP queue moves.
For detailed insights on eligibility, document checklist, visa validity, and common refusal reasons, explore Family Sponsorship FAQs guide to know the answers of all your questions.
Related Resources
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