In Canada, if you want to invite your parents as sponsor, the Sponsorship of Parents and Grandparents (PGP) is the program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for immigration, promoting family reunification.
Sponsors commit to providing financial support and ensuring their sponsored relatives have access to healthcare during their initial years in Canada.
What is the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)?
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a Canadian immigration program designed to help the reunification of families by allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence in Canada.
This program is part of the Family Class category, which prioritizes family reunification as a key objective of Canada’s immigration policy.
Requirements for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
- Eligibility of the Sponsor:
- Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must meet the minimum necessary income requirements to demonstrate the ability to financially support the sponsored relatives.
- Financial Responsibilities:
- Sponsors commit to providing financial support for their parents or grandparents and ensure they do not need to rely on social assistance.
- Submit proof of income and meet the minimum necessary income requirement, which is determined based on family size.
- Undertaking:
- Sponsors sign an undertaking, a legally binding agreement to financially support the sponsored family members for a specified period.
- Relationship:
- Provide evidence of the relationship between the sponsor and the sponsored parents or grandparents.
How to Apply for Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)?
- Express Your Interest: The process usually begins with expressing your interest in sponsoring your parents or grandparents. This involves submitting an online interest to sponsor form during specified intake periods.
- Random Selection: After the intake period, a randomized selection process (lottery or draw) is often conducted to invite potential sponsors to submit a complete application. Not everyone who expresses interest may be selected.
- Invitation to Apply (ITA): If you are selected, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the Canadian government. This invitation will provide instructions on how to submit a complete sponsorship application.
- Submit a Complete Application: Once you receive an ITA, you must submit a complete sponsorship application, including all required forms, supporting documents, and fees.
- Processing of Application: The application will be processed by immigration authorities. This includes verifying the eligibility of both the sponsor and the sponsored relatives, conducting medical examinations, and assessing admissibility.
- Approval and Permanent Residence: If the application is approved, your parents or grandparents will be granted permanent residence in Canada. They can then live, work, and study in Canada and may eventually become eligible for Canadian citizenship.
- Financial Responsibility: Sponsors commit to providing financial support for their parents or grandparents. This involves meeting minimum necessary income requirements and signing an undertaking, a legal agreement to support the sponsored relatives financially.
How much income do I need to sponsor my parents and grandparents?
The minimum necessary income (MNI) is determined by the size of the sponsor’s family unit, which includes the sponsor, their dependents, and the family members they are sponsoring. The following table provides a general overview of the minimum necessary income requirements.
| Size of Family Unit | Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $34,899 |
| 2 persons | $43,082 |
| 3 persons | $52,965 |
| 4 persons | $64,306 |
| 5 persons | $72,935 |
| 6 persons | $82,259 |
| 7 persons or more | $91,582 + 9,324 (additional person) |
The figures represent the total income required for the sponsor’s family unit. The income can come from various sources, including employment, self-employment, pension, and other eligible sources.
Keep in mind that these figures are based on the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30%.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does parents and grandparents’ sponsorship take?
The processing time for Parents and Grandparents’ Sponsorship in Canada varies, but it generally takes several months, often 24-36 months. Delays can occur due to application volumes, verification processes, and other factors.
Who can not sponsor their parent or grandparent?
Individuals ineligible to sponsor parents or grandparents in Canada include those who are not citizens or permanent residents, undischarged bankrupts, receiving government assistance, defaulted on previous sponsorships, have certain criminal convictions, cannot meet financial requirements, fail to prove the family relationship, or are subject to an active sponsorship undertaking for another family member.
What is the lottery process in parents sponsorship?
The lottery process in parents’ sponsorship involves individuals expressing interest by submitting an online form. Random selection is then conducted to invite potential sponsors through an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Those selected can submit a complete sponsorship application, leading to the processing and potential approval of permanent residence for sponsored parents or grandparents.
Who can sponsor grandparents in Canada?
In Canada, only Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their grandparents for immigration.
Can I have a co-signer on my parents and grandparents’ program application?
No, the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program in Canada does not allow co-sponsors. Only the Canadian citizen or permanent resident intending to sponsor their parents or grandparents is responsible for the sponsorship application.
