Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) 2025 – A Comprehensive Guide

For many immigrant workers and residents in Canada, sponsoring parents or grandparents to join them is a heartfelt personal goal. The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) offers a pathway for these loved ones to become permanent residents — but it is also one of Canada’s most competitive immigration streams.

In 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has once again opened the PGP but with specific eligibility limits and strict timelines you must keep in mind.

IRCC’s 2025 Announcement

In October 2020, IRCC opened a short three-week window (October 13 – November 3, 2020) for individuals to submit an “Interest to Sponsor” form. Over 100,000 people applied. Since then, IRCC has not accepted new forms for immediate intake but has continued to select sponsors from this same 2020 pool in 2021, 2022, 2023, and now in 2025.

The 2025 round opened on July 28, 2025. IRCC sent 17,860 invitations, with a target to approve 10,000 applications. Deadline to submit applications will be on October 9, 2025 at 11:59pm.

Important Disclaimer

Only individuals who submitted an “Interest to Sponsor” form in 2020 are eligible for the 2025 invitations. New submissions in 2025 will not be considered for this year’s intake. However, submitting interest now may make you eligible for future rounds (e.g., 2026).

If you submitted in 2020 but have not yet received an email, keep checking your inbox, including your spam/junk folders.

Please note: Invitations were only sent to individuals who submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020 and have not previously been invited in 2021, 2022, or 2023. If you were invited in any previous year and did not apply, you are not eligible in 2025.

Who Can Be a Sponsor?

You must meet both the invitation requirement and the sponsorship eligibility criteria.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be 18 years or older
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a registered Indian under the Indian Act
• Live in Canada
• Meet the Minimum Necessary Income for the past three (3) consecutive tax years, based on your family size (including the people you plan to sponsor)
• Sign a 20-year financial undertaking (10 years if living in Quebec) to financially support the sponsored persons

Sponsors residing in Quebec must be approved by the provincial immigration ministry (MIFI) and meet separate income thresholds for each of the past 12 months. In addition, Quebec sponsors must sign a separate undertaking agreement with the province and may be required to submit a Welcome and Integration Plan. For exact income thresholds, refer to the MIFI website.

Minimum Necessary Income Requirements – 2025

Sponsors must prove they meet the minimum income requirements based on family size. This includes you and your spouse or partner (if applicable), your dependent children, the number of people you’re sponsoring, and any other people you’re financially responsible for.

Minimum Necessary Income Requirements for Sponsors (Outside Quebec) – Past 3 Years Income Requirement:

Important: Your “family size” must be calculated separately for each of the three tax years being assessed. If your family size changed (e.g., marriage, divorce, birth of a child), you must account for the correct number of dependents in each year. This determines the income threshold you must meet for that year.

How to Apply for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

The application process for the PGP can be complex, so it’s important to follow each step carefully. Here’s what you need to know for the 2025 intake.

Step 1: Receive an Invitation to Apply

Only individuals who submitted an “Interest to Sponsor” form in 2020 are eligible for the 2025 round. Invitations began on July 28, 2025, and IRCC will send a total of 17,860 invitations. The deadline to submit your completed application is October 9, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET. You cannot apply without an invitation—applications submitted without one will be returned.

Step 2: Create or Access Your Account

Once invited, you must submit two applications together:

1. Sponsorship application (for you as the sponsor)
2. Permanent residence application (for your parent(s) or grandparent(s) as the principal applicant)

If applying yourself, use the Permanent Residence Portal. If using an authorized representative, they will apply through the Representative PR Portal. Each principal applicant must have their own account and submit their own application.

Step 3: Complete the Required Forms

Both the sponsor and the person being sponsored must complete specific forms. Accuracy is critical—errors or missing information can cause delays or even rejection of your application. Whenever possible, fill out the forms electronically to reduce mistakes.

For the Sponsor

1. Sponsorship Application, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344)
2. Financial Evaluation (IMM 5768)
3. Income Sources for the Sponsorship of Parents and Grandparents (IMM 5748), if applicable
4. Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409), if applicable

For the Person Being Sponsored

1. Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
2. Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
3. Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)
4. Supplementary Information – Your Travels (IMM 5562)

Any dependent 18 years of age or older must also complete a number of forms, whether or not they are coming to Canada.

Step 4: Gather Supporting Documents

In addition to completing and submitting forms, you will also need to provide additional supporting documents:

1. Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
2. A copy of your invitation to apply letter
3. Digital photos for each applicant
4. Any applicable police certificates, medical exams, and biometrics

Supporting documents must be uploaded as part of your online application.

Step 5: Pay the Required Fees

Fees start at $1,205 and may include:

1. Sponsorship and processing fees
2. Right of permanent residence fee
3. Biometrics fee

You may also need to pay third-party costs for medical exams and police certificates.

Step 6: Submit Your Application Online

Before submitting, you must ensure that all your forms are signed, whether electronically or by hand, where required. Moreover, you should also make sure that you have submitted all your supporting documents and that you have paid your fees and uploaded the corresponding receipts. An incomplete application may be returned, which could cause you to miss the deadline.

Step 7: Track and Respond During Processing

After submission, you can track your application online. IRCC may request additional documents, medical exams, police certificates, or biometrics during processing. Make sure to respond promptly to avoid delays.

What If You’re Not Selected? – The Super Visa Option

If you are not selected under the PGP or do not meet the minimum income requirements, the Super Visa is an excellent alternative to bring parents or grandparents to Canada for extended stays.

The Super Visa permits multiple entries to Canada for up to 10 years. Likewise, each stay can last up to five years at a time, with the option to extend by two more years without leaving Canada. It is also typically processed faster than PGP applications.

Eligibility Requirements of the Super Visa include:

• Medical examination approval
• Proof of private Canadian medical insurance for at least one year
• Written proof of financial support from the child or grandchild in Canada
• A signed letter of invitation from the host in Canada

How Nihang Law Can Help

At Nihang Law, we help families navigate the sponsorship process from start to finish. Our immigration lawyers can assess your eligibility for the PGP or Super Visa, prepare and submit your application, and explore alternative pathways for you and your loved ones.

If you’re ready to start or have questions about bringing your loved ones to Canada, contact our team today for professional guidance.