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CRS Calculator →Who Can Sponsor Parents and Grandparents?
To sponsor your parents or grandparents under the PGP, you must meet all of the following conditions. Failing even one disqualifies you from sponsoring — though you may still be able to apply for a Super Visa.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Citizenship or PR status | You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada |
| Age | Must be 18 years or older at the time of application |
| Residency | Must live in Canada — PR holders living abroad cannot sponsor |
| Income requirement | Must meet MNI for the 3 tax years immediately before applying |
| Not banned from sponsoring | Cannot be in default on a previous sponsorship undertaking, or receiving social assistance (except for disability), or have been convicted of certain offences |
| Not declared bankrupt | Cannot be an undischarged bankrupt |
Who Can Be Sponsored?
You can sponsor your biological or adoptive parents and grandparents. Their accompanying spouse or common-law partner can be included in the sponsorship. Dependent children of the sponsored person who are under 22 (or older if they have a disability) can also be included as dependants.
The Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) Requirement
This is the most critical hurdle in parent and grandparent sponsorship. You must prove you earned at or above the MNI for each of the three tax years before you apply. The MNI is based on the Low Income Measure (LIM) — 50% of Canada's median household income, adjusted by family size.
| Family Size | MNI Threshold (approx. 2026 CAD) |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | $32,270 |
| 3 persons | $39,672 |
| 4 persons | $48,168 |
| 5 persons | $54,630 |
| 6 persons | $61,585 |
| 7 persons | $68,538 |
| Each additional person | +$6,953 |
Note: These are approximate 2026 figures. IRCC updates MNI tables annually. Always verify at canada.ca before applying.
Your income is verified using your Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for each of the three tax years. Employment income, self-employment income, rental income, and certain other sources all count. Social assistance does not count.
How the PGP Lottery System Works
The Parent and Grandparent Program is not first-come, first-served. IRCC uses a randomized interest to sponsor (ITS) intake process:
IRCC Opens the Interest to Sponsor Form
IRCC announces a window — typically a few weeks — during which potential sponsors can submit an online form expressing interest in sponsoring their parents or grandparents. The opening date is announced on IRCC's website and mailing list.
Random Selection From the Pool
All eligible ITS submissions go into a randomized pool. IRCC randomly selects a set number of potential sponsors — capped by the annual intake target. In recent years this has ranged from 15,000 to 23,500 invitations per year.
Invitation to Apply Sent
Selected sponsors receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) by email. You then have a set number of days — typically 60 days — to submit your complete sponsorship application.
Submit Sponsorship Application
Submit Part 1 (sponsorship application) and Part 2 (permanent residence application for your parent/grandparent) together. Pay the processing fees and submit all required documents.
IRCC Processes the Application
IRCC reviews both the sponsor's eligibility and the sponsored person's admissibility, including background and medical checks. Processing takes 20–36+ months on average.
Documents Required for Parent Sponsorship
The document list is split between what the sponsor submits and what the sponsored parent submits. Here is an overview of the key documents for each party:
| Who Provides | Document |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Proof of Canadian citizenship or PR status |
| Sponsor | Notices of Assessment (CRA) for last 3 tax years |
| Sponsor | T4 slips or T1 General tax returns for last 3 years |
| Sponsor | Proof of residence in Canada (utility bills, lease, etc.) |
| Sponsor | Proof of relationship (birth certificate showing you are the child) |
| Sponsor | Completed undertaking form (IMM 1344) |
| Sponsored person | Valid passport and biographic pages |
| Sponsored person | Birth certificate |
| Sponsored person | Marriage certificate (if accompanying spouse included) |
| Sponsored person | Police clearance certificates from all countries lived in |
| Sponsored person | Immigration medical exam results |
| Sponsored person | Photos (passport-standard) |
| Sponsored person | Travel history for last 10 years |
Processing Times for Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship
| Stage | Approximate Timeline |
|---|---|
| ITS window to application submission | ~2–3 months |
| Sponsor eligibility review | 2–6 months |
| Sponsored person PR application | 12–30+ months (depends on visa office) |
| Total end-to-end (typical) | 20–36 months |
Government Fees for Parent Sponsorship
| Fee | Who Pays | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship application fee | Sponsor | $75 |
| PR processing fee — principal applicant | Sponsor (on behalf of parent) | $1,365 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | Sponsor (on behalf of parent + spouse) | $515 per person |
| Biometrics | Sponsored person | $85 (individual) / $170 (family cap) |
Super Visa vs. Parent Sponsorship — Which Is Right for You?
If your parents need to come to Canada soon — or you didn't win the PGP lottery — the Super Visa is worth considering. Here is how the two options compare:
🏠 Parent & Grandparent Sponsorship (PGP)
- Grants permanent residence — they can stay indefinitely
- Parents can work and access most public services
- Path to Canadian citizenship after 3 years of physical presence
- Requires winning the annual lottery
- Strict income requirements for 3 consecutive years
- Processing time: 20–36+ months
- 20-year sponsorship undertaking
✈️ Super Visa (Temporary Stay)
- Not permanent residence — does not lead to PR on its own
- Up to 5 years per entry (since 2024 rule change)
- Multi-entry valid for up to 10 years
- No lottery — apply anytime if eligible
- Faster to obtain — typically processed in weeks to months
- Must have private medical insurance ($100,000+ coverage)
- Must eventually leave Canada (or re-apply)
For most families, the Super Visa is the best short-term solution while waiting for the PGP lottery. They are not mutually exclusive — your parents can hold a Super Visa and be in Canada while their PR application is being processed under PGP.
Read more: Super Visa Requirements Canada 2026 →
📚 Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions — Parent & Grandparent Sponsorship
Who can sponsor parents and grandparents to Canada?
Canadian citizens and permanent residents aged 18 or older who live in Canada can sponsor their parents and grandparents. You must meet the Minimum Necessary Income for three consecutive years and commit to supporting sponsored relatives for 20 years.
What is the income requirement for parent sponsorship in 2026?
Sponsors must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for three consecutive years before applying. For 2026, a family of two (sponsor + one parent) requires approximately CAD $32,270 per year. Income thresholds scale with total family size including the sponsored persons.
How does the PGP lottery work?
IRCC opens an interest to sponsor form for a limited period each year. All eligible submissions are entered into a random selection pool. Selected sponsors are then invited to submit a full sponsorship application. The number of spots is capped annually — typically 15,000 to 23,500 invitations.
How long does parent and grandparent sponsorship take?
End-to-end processing typically takes 20 to 36 months or longer, depending on the visa office and country of the sponsored person. IRCC publishes current processing time estimates on their website.
What is the difference between the Super Visa and PGP sponsorship?
PGP sponsorship grants permanent residence — parents can stay indefinitely and eventually apply for citizenship. The Super Visa is a multi-entry temporary visa allowing stays of up to 5 years per entry but does not lead to permanent residence. The Super Visa has no lottery and is generally faster to get.
How long must I support my sponsored parents?
You must support your sponsored parents or grandparents for 20 years from the date they become permanent residents. During this period, they cannot access most federal or provincial social assistance programs — if they do, the government can recover those costs from you.
Key Takeaways
- PGP allows permanent residence for parents and grandparents — but requires winning the annual lottery
- Sponsors must meet the Minimum Necessary Income for 3 consecutive tax years
- Income is verified using CRA Notices of Assessment — you need NOAs for the 3 years before applying
- The 20-year sponsorship undertaking is a major financial commitment — understand it before applying
- Processing times are 20–36+ months — not a fast pathway
- The Super Visa is a strong alternative for parents who want to stay in Canada up to 5 years per entry
- Your parents can hold a Super Visa while their PGP application is in process