Family Sponsorship

Canada demonstrates its strong commitment to family reunification through the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program (PGP). This program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency, enabling families to live together and support one another in Canada.

Eligibility Criteria for Sponsors

To be eligible to sponsor your parents or grandparents, you must meet the following requirements:

• Age and Status:You must be at least 18 years old and either a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
• Residency:Your primary residence must be in Canada when you submit the application and remain so until a decision is made.
• Financial Requirements:You must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the three consecutive tax years prior to applying. If married, your spouse’s income can be combined to meet this requirement.
• Undertaking Commitment:You must agree to financially support the sponsored individuals for 20 years (or 10 years if residing in Quebec) starting from the day they become permanent residents. Both sponsor and applicant must sign a sponsorship agreement confirming the sponsor’s financial responsibility and the sponsored person’s commitment to self-support. Dependent children under 22 years of age are exempt from signing this agreement.
• Interest to Sponsor Form:You must have submitted an Interest to Sponsor form during the official intake period.
• Invitation to Apply:You must have received an invitation to apply for the Parent and/or Grandparent Sponsorship to submit your application.

Who Can Be Sponsored?

You may sponsor the following family members under the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program:

• Parents and Grandparents:Both biological and adoptive parents or grandparents are eligible.
• Separated Families:If your parents or grandparents are divorced or separated, each can be sponsored individually.
• Dependents:Dependent children of your sponsored parents or grandparents can also be included in the application.

Who Is Not Eligible to Sponsor Parents or Grandparents?

You may be considered ineligible to sponsor if you:

• Were not invited to apply.
• Are under 18 years of age.
• Are currently serving a prison sentence.
• Have defaulted on an immigration loan (missed or late payments).
• Have declared bankruptcy and are not yet discharged.
• Receive government financial assistance for reasons other than a disability.
• Have failed to pay a court-ordered obligation such as alimony or child support.
• Did not provide financial support as promised in the previous sponsorship agreement.
• Have been convicted of a violent crime, an offence against a family member, or a sexual offence.
• Are under a Removal Order and are not legally allowed to remain in Canada.

Minimum Income Requirement

To sponsor parents and grandparents, you must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for each of the three consecutive tax years prior to the date you apply.

As these income thresholds are updated regularly by IRCC, please refer to the official link below for the most current figures:
Income Required to Sponsor Parents or Grand-parents

Co-Signer Option

If you do not meet the income requirement on your own, your spouse or common-law partner may act as a co-signer. A co-signer must:

• Meet the same eligibility criteria as the sponsor.
• Agree to co-sign the undertaking, making them equally responsible for sponsorship obligations.
• Provide proof of income for the same three-year period.

Supporting Documents:

• If your co-signer is your spouse, you must provide your marriage certificate. For marriages in Quebec, only a certificate issued by the Directeur de l’état civilis accepted.
• If your co-signer is your common-law partner, you must submit the Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409].

Application Process

1. Interest to Sponsor Form:Submit this form during the designated intake period announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
2. Invitation to Apply:If you are selected, you will receive an invitation to submit a full sponsorship application.
3. Application Submission:Submit both the sponsorship application and the permanent residence application for your parents or grandparents within the given deadline.
4. Processing:IRCC will review the applications for completeness and eligibility.
5. Decision:If approved, your parents or grandparents will be granted permanent resident status in Canada.

 

Processing Time

The current estimated processing time is 20–24 months. You can always check the most up-to-date timelines on the official IRCC website.

Thinking about sponsoring your parent(s) or grandparent(s)?

Applying to sponsor your parent(s) or grandparent(s) under Canada’s Family Class requires strict compliance with eligibility criteria, income requirements, and complete documentation. At Can-X Punjab, we ensure your sponsorship application is accurate, complete, and fully aligned with IRCC guidelines.

With Can-X Punjab, you gain confidence knowing your Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship application is being handled by experienced professionals. Let us help you reunite with your loved ones and bring your family together in Canada.