Parents and Grandparents Program 2025: New Invitations

On March 7, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that invitations to apply (ITAs) for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) will be issued in 2025. This program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency in Canada.

Earlier in January 2025, IRCC confirmed that no new invitations would be sent under the PGP for the current year as the department focuses on processing applications submitted during the 2024 intake.

The latest announcement indicates that individuals who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 may receive an invitation to apply in 2025. Further details, including the timing of the invitations, will be shared in the coming months.

The PGP uses a lottery system to randomly select potential sponsors from the pool of submitted interest forms. Since 2020, all invitations have been issued to those who submitted interest forms during the 2020 intake. Since then, the program has not been reopened for new submissions.

For those unable to sponsor their parents or grandparents through the PGP, the Super Visa program remains an alternative. This program allows Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents and grandparents for extended visits to Canada.

About the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

The PGP is a family reunification initiative that enables Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency. Sponsors must meet specific eligibility criteria, including minimum income requirements, and their relatives must be admissible to Canada. Applications are not submitted directly; eligible sponsors must first submit an interest to sponsor form and wait for an invitation to apply. Selection is conducted randomly from the pool of submitted forms.

Financial Requirements for the PGP

To sponsor parents or grandparents under the PGP, sponsors must meet specific financial requirements to demonstrate they can support their family members. Sponsors must provide proof of income for the three tax years preceding the application and meet the minimum necessary income (MNI) threshold for each. The MNI is based on the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30%, which varies depending on the sponsor’s family unit size, including the sponsored individuals.

For example, a sponsor with a family of four (including the sponsored parents or grandparents) must show they meet the MNI for a family of four. If the sponsor’s spouse or common-law partner is co-signing the application, their income can also be included to meet the financial requirements. IRCC updates the MNI thresholds annually, and sponsors must ensure they meet the most recent requirements at the time of application.

Supervisa for Parents and Grandparents

For those unable to sponsor their parents or grandparents through the PGP, the Super Visa program remains an alternative. This program allows Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents and grandparents for extended visits to Canada.

Super Visas are valid for up to 10 years and permit multiple entries, with stays of up to five years per visit. Extensions of up to two years are also possible. Sponsors must meet minimum income requirements, and applicants must purchase third-party health insurance for their stay in Canada. Recently, the federal government relaxed health insurance requirements for the Super Visa program, providing applicants with more flexibility in obtaining coverage.

If you are interested in sponsoring your parents or grandparents through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) and need assistance or have questions about the application process, we are here to help.

Our team of experienced immigration consultants can provide you with the support and guidance you need to navigate the PGP requirements, including financial eligibility, document preparation, and submission processes. We understand the importance of family reunification and are committed to helping you bring your loved ones to Canada.

Please feel free to contact us for a consultation to learn more about the PGP and how we can assist you in achieving your immigration goals.