Canada Parents and Grandparents Program 2025: Complete Guide to PGP Sponsorship (July 28 Launch)
Introduction
Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) 2025 launches on July 28, 2025. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will randomly send out 17,860 invitations over an approximately two week period to invite potential sponsors, with a goal of receiving 10,000 complete permanent residence applications.
This year’s intake is limited to potential sponsors who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020. No new forms will be accepted in 2025. Due to existing backlogs, IRCC is drawing from the large pool of submissions it already received in 2020.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to sponsor your parents or grandparents, who qualifies, how the process works, what costs to expect, and what your alternatives are if you’re not invited.
Sponsor Parents Canada 2025
The 2025 program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency. This family reunification pathway is one of the most generous in the world, but it is also competitive due to limited intake each year.
The sponsorship application process includes the potential sponsor meeting eligibility requirements, proving financial capacity, submitting a complete application, and committing to supporting your family members for 20 years (or 10 years if in Quebec).
PGP 2025: What You Need to Know
- The IRCC will start sending invitations on July 28, 2025, and continue into mid-August.
- Only individuals from the 2020 interest-to-sponsor pool are eligible.
- No new submissions to the pool will be accepted this year.
- If invited, you must submit the application electronically through IRCC’s Permanent Residence Portal, or through the representative permanent residence portal, if you are using a representative.
- Once invited, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application.
- Processing times are approximately 36 months for applicants outside Quebec and 48 months for those applying through Quebec as of July 2025.
Parents and Grandparents Program Intake 2025
The 2025 grandparents program intake is strictly limited to the 2020 pool of sponsors. IRCC is not reopening the interest-to-sponsor form this year.
This approach allows IRCC to manage the backlog of existing submissions while continuing to reunite families across Canada.
Interest to Sponsor Form
The interest to sponsor form is the first step for joining the PGP pool. It is typically released in a given year for individuals who wish to sponsor their parents or grandparents. However, no new interest to sponsor forms are being accepted in 2025.
If you submitted a form in 2020, make sure to check the email you used at that time, including your junk and spam folders.
Eligibility & Requirements
To sponsor your parents or grandparents in 2025, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian
- Live in Canada
Financial and Minimum Income Requirements
You must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the past three tax years (2022, 2023, 2024). This income can include your spouse or common-law partner’s income if they co-sign the application.
MNI Table (Outside Quebec)
| Family Size | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 people | $47,549 | $44,530 | $43,082 |
| 3 people | $58,456 | $54,743 | $52,965 |
| 4 people | $70,972 | $66,466 | $64,306 |
| 5 people | $80,496 | $75,384 | $72,935 |
| 6 people | $90,784 | $85,020 | $82,259 |
| 7 people | $101,075 | $94,658 | $91,582 |
| Each additional person | +$10,291 |
Co-Signer
TIPS: If your individual income doesn’t meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), a co-signer—who must be your spouse or common-law partner—can help you qualify by combining their income with yours.
Sponsorship Undertaking Required by the Canadian Government
- The sponsor and their partner (if co-signing) are required to sign a sponsorship agreement and undertaking with the Government of Canada to support the sponsored person(s) for 20 years (or 10 years if you live in Quebec)
- If your parents or grandparents receive any social assistance during the undertaking period, you will have to repay those funds to the government.
PGP Application Process Step‑by‑Step
Step 1: Receive Your Invitation
- Monitor your 2020 email address closely.
- If you are invited, you’ll have 60 days to apply using IRCC’s PR Portal.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
You’ll need the following:
- Application forms
- Proof of income (tax documents, pay stubs)
- Proof of Canadian citizenship or PR for sponsor
- Proof of relationship (birth/adoption certificates)
- Police certificates (valid for 6 months) for sponsored individuals
- Medical exams
- Biometrics (ages 14 to 79)
- Resume for each applicant with information from age 18 to present
Step 3: Submit the Application
All documents must be submitted electronically.
Who Can You Sponsor
You can sponsor:
- Your biological or adopted parents and grandparents
- Their spouses or common-law partners
- Their dependent children (if applicable)
You'll need to provide documents to prove the relationship.
Super Visa Alternative to the PGP Application
If you're not invited under the 2025 PGP, the Super Visa is a strong alternative to enable your parents to join you in Canada.
The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 10 years, and each visit can last up to five years. After that, families may apply to extend the stay by up to two years.
Super Visa Highlights
- Valid for 10 years - come and go from Canada as many times as you like during that time
- Stay up to 5 years per entry
- Extensions possible for up to 2 years
- Multiple entries allowed
- Typically shorter processing times than the PGP
- Requires private medical insurance from a Canadian provider
Unlike the PGP, the Super Visa does not grant permanent residency to your parents and grandparents. However, as many families are limited by the PGP intake, they would choose this option for faster reunification and flexibility. It also has fewer income requirements, though sponsors must still demonstrate adequate financial support for the visiting parent or grandparent.
To be eligible for the Super Visa program, the applicants must meet standard visitor visa requirements. You can learn more about the difference between a super visa and a standard visa in our article 'What is the Difference Between a Super Visa and Visitor Visa?'.
Financial Planning & Costs
Sponsoring parents or grandparents can be expensive, both upfront and long-term.
Government Fees:
- Sponsorship fee: $85
- Principal applicant: $1,120
- Spouse/partner of applicant: $1,210
- Dependent child: $175
Additional Costs:
- Medical exams
- Police certificates
- Translations
- Immigration consultant or lawyer (optional, but highly recommended)
Long-Term Commitment:
As part of your sponsorship undertaking, you are legally required to cover your sponsored family members’ basic needs, including food, shelter, and healthcare costs not covered by the province. If they use government assistance, you must repay it. This responsibility lasts for 20 years (or 10 years in Quebec).
Success Tips & Common Mistakes
Tips for Success
- Make sure you still have access to your 2020 email.
- Start preparing your documents as early as possible.
- Confirm your income meets the MNI requirement for the last three tax years.
- Submit your application as early as you can within the 60-day window.
Common Mistakes
- Missing the email invitation
- Not meeting the financial requirements
- Incorrect translations or missing certified true copies of documents
- Incomplete application - missing a required document or gaps in your information
- Waiting too long to apply and missing the deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion and Next Steps
The 2025 PGP is an exciting opportunity to help your parents or grandparents become permanent residents in Canada. However, only those selected from the 2020 interest-to-sponsor pool will be eligible to apply. Starting July 28, it’s crucial to monitor your email inbox, including spam folders. If you receive an invitation, act quickly and make sure all documents are complete, translated if necessary, and submitted on time. If you’re not selected this year, the Super Visa provides a great alternative for long-term visits while you wait for future programs. It may also be helpful to consult a licensed immigration professional to ensure your application is as strong as possible and free of errors.
At The Way Immigration, we are experienced with parents and grandparents sponsorship as well as super visa applications. We would love to help you reunite with your love ones. Contact one of our professionals for a consultation today!
