The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens and PRs to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence. It is one of the most in-demand immigration programs — and one of the most competitive.
How the PGP Works
The PGP operates as an annual lottery (officially called an expression of interest process). Each year, IRCC opens a limited-time window for eligible Canadians to submit an online expression of interest (EOI) to sponsor a parent or grandparent. After the window closes, IRCC randomly selects from the eligible pool of submissions and invites selected sponsors to submit a full sponsorship application. Only those who receive an invitation can proceed — the selection is random from among eligible submissions, not based on a scoring system.
Eligibility to Sponsor
To be eligible to submit an expression of interest, you must: be a Canadian citizen or PR who is at least 18 years old; meet the minimum income threshold (your income must be at least 1.5 times the Low Income Cut-Off for your family size — the LICO +30% requirement, updated annually); not be in default on any previous sponsorship undertaking; and not be in receipt of social assistance (except for disability). The income requirement applies for the most recent tax year at the time of invitation.
Income Requirements
The PGP has one of the strictest income requirements in family sponsorship. You must demonstrate income of at least LICO + 30% for your household size for the most recent tax year, and maintain this income for the three years prior to applying. The Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency is the primary income document. For 2025 processing, approximate thresholds are: single sponsor: ~$35,000; sponsor with one additional person: ~$44,000; with two additional persons: ~$54,000 (including the parents being sponsored). Exact thresholds vary — check IRCC's published tables for the current processing year.
The Undertaking Period
Sponsors of parents and grandparents must sign a 20-year undertaking. This is the longest undertaking period in Canadian immigration law. For two decades after landing, you are financially responsible for your parents or grandparents — meaning if they access most social assistance programs during that time, you may be required to repay those costs to the government. This is a serious, long-term financial commitment that should be carefully considered before applying.
Super Visa as an Alternative
Many families use the Super Visa as a practical alternative or complement to the PGP. The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years per visit, with the visa valid for up to 10 years — without going through the PGP lottery. For families where the parents primarily want to visit (not necessarily immigrate permanently), the Super Visa may be a more practical and faster solution than waiting for PGP lottery success.