7 Important Steps Before Applying For Canada’s Parents Sponsorship Program (PGP)

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence in Canada. The most crucial steps include confirming that the sponsor meets the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the last three consecutive tax years, submitting the Interest to Sponsor form accurately during the intake window, and waiting for an official Invitation to Apply (ITA) before proceeding.

IRCC aims to admit 15,000 parents and grandparents as permanent residents in 2026, with flexibility between 13,000 and 19,000 admissions.

Sponsoring your parents or grandparents through Canada's PGP involves seven key steps: confirming your eligibility and income (MNI) before intake opens, waiting for a random Invitation to Apply (ITA) from IRCC, acting immediately on your 60-day submission window once invited, preparing two complete application packages — one for you as sponsor, one for your parents — submitting everything electronically through the IRCC portal before the hard deadline, responding promptly to any IRCC follow-up requests including medical exams and biometrics, and finally completing the landing process.

Step 1: Confirm You Are Eligible to Sponsor

Before anything else, verify you meet all of the following requirements:

>>Legal Status

• Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must be residing in Canada at the time of application

>>Financial Requirement (Minimum Necessary Income) You must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) , calculated as Canada's Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30% — for each of the three consecutive tax years before your application date.

>>Sponsorship Undertaking You must sign a legally binding undertaking committing to:

• Financially support your sponsored parents/grandparents for 20 years from the date they become permanent residents (10 years if you live in Quebec)
• Repay any social assistance they receive during the undertaking period

>>Disqualifying Factors — You Cannot Sponsor If You:

• Are currently receiving social assistance (unless for a disability)
• Defaulted on a previous sponsorship undertaking
• Have been convicted of a violent criminal offence, an offence against a relative, or a sexual offence
• Were previously sponsored and have not completed your own undertaking period

Step 2: Watch for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Since the program is invitation-based and no new Interest to Sponsor (ITS) forms have been accepted since 2020, there are two situations you may be in:

If you submitted an ITS form in 2020 and have not yet received an ITA:

• Monitor the email address you used in 2020, including spam and junk folders
• Check your IRCC secure account regularly
• IRCC sends ITAs randomly — you cannot apply or register interest in any other way

If you did not submit an ITS form in 2020:

• You are currently unable to enter the PGP process
• No alternative pathway to submit an ITS form exists as of May 2026
• Consider the Super Visa as an interim option.

Step 3: Receive Your ITA and Note Your Deadline

If selected, IRCC will email your Invitation to Apply. Upon receiving it:

• Note your submission deadline (typically 60 days from the ITA date — no exceptions)
• Begin document preparation immediately.
• Do not submit a full application without an ITA — it will be returned unprocessed.
• Ensure the information in your application matches your 2020 ITS form submission, or provide an explanation for any differences.

Step 4: Prepare Your Complete Application Package

There are two separate applications required — one for you as the sponsor, one for your parent or grandparent as the principal applicant. Both must be submitted together.

Sponsor's Application Documents

• Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residence
• Proof of residence in Canada
• CRA Notices of Assessment for the three required tax years
• Completed IMM 5748 (Income Sources form) and IMM 5768 (Financial Evaluation form)
• Signed Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344)
• If co-signing: spouse/partner's income documents and eligibility proof

Principal Applicant Documents

Identity Documents

• Valid passport
• Birth certificate
• National identity document
• Marriage certificate (current and any previous)
• Divorce or death certificates (if applicable)

Civil Status and Compliance Documents

• Police certificates from every country where they lived for 6+ months since age 18
• Medical examination results from an IRCC-approved panel physician
• Biometrics (fingerprints and digital photo — required for ages 14 to 79)
• Photographs meeting IRCC specifications

Supporting Documents

• Proof of relationship to the sponsor
• Family composition information
• Travel history documentation
• Previous immigration applications (if applicable)
• Certified translations for any documents not in English or French

Tip: Download the current Document Checklist IMM 5771 directly from the IRCC website when preparing your package — do not rely on third-party checklists, as requirements can change between intakes.

Step 5: Pay Fees and Submit Online

Payment Application fees must be paid online before submission. Fees typically include:

• Sponsorship fee
• Principal applicant processing fee
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)
• Biometrics fee

Submission

• All applications must be submitted electronically through the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal (or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal if using an authorized representative)
• Paper/mail applications are not accepted unless you have a documented disability or approved exception — request this via the alternate format email provided in your ITA
• Retain copies of your entire submission and your application receipt number

Step 6: After Submission — What Happens Next

Once your application is received, IRCC will assess it for completeness.

If your application is incomplete: IRCC will send a letter identifying missing documents. You have 30 days to provide them. If still incomplete after 30 days, your application will be returned without processing.

Ongoing requirements:

• Respond promptly to any IRCC requests for additional information.
• Complete medical examinations when requested (panel physician appointment).
• Provide biometrics at a designated collection point within 30 days of the biometrics request letter.
• Keep your contact information and application details up to date using the IRCC web form.
• Track your application status through your IRCC online account.

Processing time: As of early 2026, processing times are approximately 24 months for applications destined outside Quebec and approximately 48 months for Quebec-destined applications.

Step 7: Decision and Landing

If approved:

• Your parent or grandparent receives a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if outside Canada)
• Applicants outside Canada must travel to Canada to activate their PR status before the COPR expiry date
• Applicants already in Canada on valid temporary status may complete landing virtually or at a local IRCC office
• A PR card is issued after landing is confirmed

If You Are Not Eligible for PGP?

The Super Visa is the most practical alternative for families who cannot access the PGP. Key differences:

The Super Visa is often the best bridge option while waiting for a future PGP intake.

Key Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting without an ITA — your application will be returned with no exceptions.
• Miscalculating family size for MNI — include yourself, spouse, all dependents, all sponsored individuals, and anyone covered under existing active undertakings.
• Using outdated forms — always download current forms from IRCC at the time of your application.
• Missing the 60-day deadline — there are absolutely no extensions.

Conclusion

PGP intake announcements are made on short notice. To avoid missing a future intake:

• Bookmark the official IRCC PGP page
• Follow IRCC on social media (@CitImmCanada on X/Twitter)
• Monitor the email address you used for any past ITS submission

The Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program is a highly regulated and time-sensitive process where preparation, accuracy, and compliance determine success. From meeting the Minimum Necessary Income to responding promptly to IRCC requests after submission, each step carries legal and procedural significance. An RCIC-guided approach helps sponsors avoid common errors such as incomplete documentation, missed deadlines, or eligibility miscalculations, ensuring the application aligns fully with IRCC requirements and progresses without unnecessary delays.