Canada Parents And Grandparents Program (PGP): A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident considering sponsoring your parents and grandparents to become permanent residents, this article is your comprehensive guide.

We’ll walk you through the process step by step, so you know what to expect.

Overview of the Process

To kickstart the journey of sponsoring your parents or grandparents to immigrate to Canada, you’ll begin by submitting an interest to sponsor form.

If you submitted your form in 2021, you might expect an invitation to apply for the 2023 intake.

While Canada Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship 2023 Will Start in October 2023.

Canada Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship 2023 Will Start in October

Click here to check the eligibility and income requirements for PGP 2023 here

Once invited, you’ll need to submit two applications for review under the Parents and Grandparents Program:

The sponsorship application.
The permanent residence application.

Upon approval of both applications, you’ll sign an undertaking, which becomes effective when the sponsored individuals (and their family members, if applicable) become permanent residents.

It’s important to note that the program typically opens for a limited time, with a maximum cap on the number of applications to be approved.

On October 10, 2023, IRCC will begin sending invitations to apply to 24,200 interested potential sponsors, aiming to receive up to 15,000 complete applications. Invitations will be sent over the course of 2 weeks.

Before diving into the process, you’ll need to meet some eligibility criteria:

Be at least 18 years old.
Reside in Canada as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Demonstrate sufficient income to support the people you wish to sponsor and provide proof of income.
Commit to financially supporting your sponsored family for 20 years, starting when they become permanent residents. This includes repaying any provincial social assistance received during that time.
Sign a sponsorship agreement with your sponsored family members outlining responsibilities.

As a sponsor, you must ensure that your family members have access to basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter, utilities, health care not covered by public insurance, and more.

Even if circumstances change, such as marriage ending, unemployment, or family rifts, you must continue to provide essential support.

Additionally, it’s essential to maintain a valid PR status or Canadian citizenship throughout the sponsorship application process and plan to live in Canada when your sponsored parents and grandparents become permanent residents.

As a permanent resident or Canadian citizen, you can sponsor your own parents, grandparents, and eligible blood or adopted relatives.

If you’re sponsoring divorced parents or grandparents, separate applications are required.

If they have current spouses or partners, those individuals are considered dependents on the application and can join your sponsored family in Canada.

While siblings, half-siblings, stepbrothers, and stepsisters may be listed in the application if they meet dependent children criteria, it’s crucial to meet income requirements for all sponsored individuals.

You cannot sponsor your parents and grandparents if you:

Cannot sponsor if below 18, haven’t received an invitation, or lack sufficient income.
Must have valid PR status or Canadian citizenship at the time of application.
The primary residential address must be in Canada until a decision is made.
Ineligible if failed to repay immigration loans, provided insufficient financial support, declared bankruptcy, received social assistance (except for disability), have criminal convictions, or face removal orders.