PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS SPONSORSHIP
Canada, a nation built on multiculturalism, prioritizes family reunification. The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence in Canada. This guide delves into the program's intricacies, helping you navigate the process of reuniting with your loved ones.
Who Can Be Sponsored?
The program allows sponsoring eligible family members, including:
- Biological Parents: You can sponsor your biological mother and father.
- Adoptive Parents: If you were adopted, sponsoring your adoptive parents is also an option.
- Stepparents: In certain circumstances, sponsoring a stepparent who has raised you since childhood may be possible.
- Grandparents: Your biological or adoptive grandparents are eligible for sponsorship.
Eligibility Requirements for Sponsors
To sponsor your parents or grandparents, you must meet specific criteria:
- Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency: You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, at least 18 years old.
- Residence: You must be residing in Canada, or if a citizen living abroad, have the intention to return to Canada once your sponsored relatives become permanent residents.
- Financial Ability: Demonstrate your ability to financially support your sponsored parents or grandparents for a set period, currently three years. This involves proving sufficient income to meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirements set by the government.
- Undertaking: You are legally obligated to provide for the basic needs of your sponsored parents or grandparents for the specified period.
Understanding the Application Process
The PGP application process involves several distinct stages:
- Interest to Sponsor: The first step involves submitting an online "Interest to Sponsor" form during a designated intake period. This period typically opens once a year and can be highly competitive. Selection is often done through a lottery system.
- Invitation to Apply: If selected, you'll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This ITA outlines the specific documents and steps required to complete your application package.
- Application Package: Gather all necessary documents, including proof of relationship, your financial documents, medical examinations for your sponsored family members (if applicable), and any additional documents requested in the ITA.
- Online Application: Submit your complete application package electronically through the IRCC website.
- Processing and Interview: Immigration officials will meticulously review your application and may request an interview to further assess your circumstances and the genuineness of your relationship with your parents or grandparents.
Minimum Necessary Income (MNI):
Income required for the 3 tax years before the date you apply (if you’re applying for the 2024 intake)
Family size 2023 2022 2021
2 people $44,530 $43,082 $32,898
3 people $54,743 $52,965 $40,444
4 people $66,466 $64,306 $49,106
5 people $75,384 $72,935 $55,694
6 people $85,020 $82,259 $62,814
7 people $94,658 $91,582 $69,934
If more than 7 people, for each additional person, add: $9,636 $9,324 $7,120
The sponsor and the co-signer (if there is one) must each submit 3 notices of assessment, or equivalent documents, issued by the minister of National Revenue. The assessments must be for the 3 tax years immediately before the date we receive the application.
If you (or your co-signer, if you have one) don’t submit 3 years of notices of assessment, you won’t meet the requirements to sponsor.