sponsor - How to Sponsor Your Parents and Grandparents in 2021

What is the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)?

Canadian citizens and permanent residents are able to sponsor their parents and grandparents to immigrate to Canada. Parents and grandparents approved under this program receive Canadian permanent residence and may eventually be able to apply for Canadian citizenship.
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Your parents and grandparents can enjoy the full benefits of Canadian permanent residence including being able to work in Canada, obtain health care, get full protection under Canadian law and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and apply to become a Canadian citizen once they meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility criteria for Parents and Grandparents Program?

To be eligible the Parents and Grandparents Program, sponsors must:

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be residing in Canada (potential applicants will need to provide a proof of status during the Interest to Sponsor phase).
• Exceed the minimum necessary income level for this program (if married or in a common-law relationship, the income of both the sponsor and spouse can be included) and provide proof of income to IRCC.
• Sign an undertaking:

• To financially support the sponsored for 20 years (starting when they become permanent residents).
• To repay any social assistance benefits paid to the sponsored family members (if applicable) for a period of 20 years.
• If the sponsor resides in Quebec, an additional "undertaking" must be signed with the province of Quebec.

Applicants to the PGP will have to prove that they meet the minimum income requirements by submitting notices of assessment issued by the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) in support of their application.

Income needed for sponsorship

The following table shows Minimum Necessary Income requirements if you live outside of Quebec. For the 2020 PGP, please ensure you meet the MNI requirements for 2020, 2019, and 2018.
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If IRCC announces that it will accept 2021 PGP intake applications in 2021, then the MNI table below will also apply to you if you live outside of Quebec:

Parents and Grandparents Super Visa

Canadian citizens and/or permanent residents have another option to bring a parent or grandparent to Canada.
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The Super Visa Program allows parents and grandparents to come to Canada as long-term visitors on a multi-entry visa that remains valid for up to 10 years. Unlike standard visitor visas, a Super Visa allows visa holders to stay in Canada for up to two years on initial entry to Canada.

To be eligible for the Super Visa program, parents and grandparents must meet standard visitor visa requirements. In addition, they must:

• Provide a written commitment of financial support from their child or grandchild in Canada.
• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Prove they have purchased Canadian health insurance for at least one year.
• Complete an immigration medical examination.

Depending on their nationality, parents/grandparents may require a Temporary Resident Visa in addition to the Super Visa.