Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) — application

Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is the family-class pathway for sponsoring parents / grandparents to PR. Key constraints:

  • Intake is LOTTERY-BASED — IRCC randomly selects ~30,000-40,000 invitations annually from interest-to-sponsor pool
  • Sponsor must meet MINIMUM NECESSARY INCOME (MNI) for 3 consecutive years
  • 20-year sponsorship undertaking
  • If Quebec sponsor: 10-year undertaking (Quebec-specific)
  • Processing time: 20-24 months after invitation

Alternative: Super Visa — for long-term visiting (up to 5 years per entry, 10-year multiple-entry visa). No MNI requirement, but no PR status.

Draft a PGP application strategy for [SPONSOR_NAME] sponsoring [PARENTS_TO_SPONSOR].

§1 — INVITATION TO APPLY PROCESS (150-180 words)

PGP intake is opened annually (date varies — typically October-November of preceding year, sometimes paused). Process:

Stage 1 — Interest to Sponsor:
  • Sponsor submits Interest to Sponsor form online (free) during the intake window
  • IRCC randomly selects ~30,000 invitations from the pool
  • Sponsors who submitted Interest to Sponsor have ~30 days to submit a complete application after receiving invitation

Stage 2 — Application:
  • Submit Sponsorship Application + supporting documents
  • Application fee: CAD 1,050 (CAD 75 per dependent if children accompanying)
  • Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): CAD 575 per adult applicant

Stage 3 — Eligibility assessment:
  • CPC Mississauga assesses sponsor eligibility (income, MNI met for last 3 years, no default, no criminal bar)

Stage 4 — Parent / Grandparent application:
  • Visa office processes PR application
  • Includes biometrics, medicals, police certificates, photographs

For [PGP_INTEREST_YEAR]: confirm intake is open / planned.

§2 — INCOME (MNI) REQUIREMENT (250-300 words)

The Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for PGP sponsorship is annual income that exceeds the LICO (Low-Income Cut-Off, urban centres) for the sponsor's family size + 30%.

Family size for MNI calculation:
  Family size = sponsor + sponsor's spouse + sponsor's dependent children + previously sponsored people whose undertaking is still in effect + parent(s) being sponsored + parent's accompanying dependents

Example (2024 numbers, verify current):
  Family of 2: MNI ~CAD 32,898
  Family of 3: MNI ~CAD 40,444
  Family of 4: MNI ~CAD 49,106
  Family of 5: MNI ~CAD 55,695
  Family of 6: MNI ~CAD 62,814
  Family of 7+: add ~CAD 8,300 per person

For [SPONSOR_NAME] sponsoring [PARENTS_TO_SPONSOR]:
  • Determine post-sponsorship family size
  • Determine MNI threshold for that family size
  • Compare against [SPONSOR_INCOME_3_YR]

Income proof:
  • Notice of Assessment (NOA) from CRA for each of the last 3 tax years
  • Line 150 (total income before deductions)
  • Sources: T4 employment, T4A self-employment, T5 investment income
  • Federal taxable income: must meet MNI line 150

If sponsor's income falls short:
  • Add co-signer (spouse / common-law): none
  • Co-signer's NOAs also assessed
  • Co-signer accepts sponsorship obligations alongside sponsor

If still short:
  • Wait until income meets threshold for 3 consecutive years
  • Consider Super Visa as alternative for parent visits

§3 — APPLICATION DOCUMENTS (200-250 words)

Sponsor (Stage 1) documents:
  □ IMM 1344 (Application to Sponsor + Sponsorship Agreement + Undertaking)
  □ Notice of Assessment (NOAs) for last 3 tax years
  □ Tax records (T4s + T1 General if requested)
  □ Co-signer's NOAs if applicable
  □ Proof of relationship to parents (birth certificate, marriage certificate)
  □ Sponsorship undertaking signed
  □ Application fee receipt

Parent / Grandparent (Stage 2) documents:
  □ IMM 0008 — Generic Application Form (Permanent Residence)
  □ Passport(s)
  □ Police certificates from all countries lived in 6+ months since age 18
  □ Medical exam (panel physician, valid 12 months)
  □ Photos (2 recent, biometric)
  □ Schedule A — Background / Declaration (IMM 5669)
  □ Additional Family Information (IMM 5406) — includes EVERY child (married or not) and grandchildren
  □ Use of Representative (IMM 5476)
  □ Biometrics
  □ Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): CAD 575 per adult

Settlement plan (informally encouraged):
  • Where parents will live (with sponsor / separate residence)
  • Healthcare arrangement (parents not eligible for public health for 3 months in some provinces; private insurance recommended)
  • Daily care + integration plan

§4 — 20-YEAR UNDERTAKING OBLIGATIONS (100-130 words)

By signing the sponsorship agreement, [SPONSOR_NAME] commits to:
  • Provide basic requirements (food, shelter, clothing, healthcare not covered by public health) for parents
  • Repay provincial government for any social assistance parents receive during 20-year period
  • Remain in Canada (continued residence; sponsor cannot leave permanently during 20-year period)

Financial weight: 20 years × cost of supporting elderly parent(s) in Canada = significant. Health insurance for elderly parents is the largest variable; many provinces have 3-month wait for public coverage.

§5 — SUPER VISA AS ALTERNATIVE / PARALLEL TRACK (60-80 words)

Super Visa:
  • Multi-entry visa for 10 years
  • Each entry up to 5 years (formerly 2 years)
  • No MNI for PGP (but Super Visa has its own income threshold — LICO 1.0 not 1.3)
  • Medical insurance required ($100,000 minimum coverage)
  • No PR status; parents remain temporary residents
  • Useful when MNI not met OR PGP lottery not won
  • Can be issued same year as PGP application processes

Many sponsors apply for both: Super Visa for immediate parent presence + PGP for eventual PR.

§6 — TIMELINE EXPECTATIONS (40-60 words)

  • Interest to Sponsor: October-November (intake-dependent)
  • Invitation to Apply: random selection within 4 weeks of intake close
  • Application submission: 30 days
  • Processing: 20-24 months
  • Parents arrive as PRs: ~24 months after invitation

End with: "DRAFT PGP APPLICATION — for RCIC review. Verify current MNI for the post-sponsorship family size against canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/sponsor-parents-grandparents/income-requirements.html — updated annually. Super Visa runs in parallel; advise sponsor on dual-track strategy."