How to Sponsor Your Parents or Grandparents to Come to Canada

Want to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada? There are two main pathways available: the Parent and Grandparent Program for permanent residence, and the Super Visa for extended visits. This guide explains how each works, who qualifies, and which option is right for your family.

For many families in Canada, having parents and grandparents nearby is one of the most important and deeply felt goals imaginable. Whether you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident whose parents are still abroad, or a newcomer who has put down roots here and wants to reunite your family, Canada’s immigration system provides meaningful pathways to make that happen.

The two primary options for bringing parents and grandparents to Canada are the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) and the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa. Each has its own eligibility requirements, application process, and practical implications, and choosing the right pathway for your family requires a clear understanding of how each one works.

This guide explains both options in detail, outlines who is eligible, walks through the application requirements, and helps you determine which pathway is most appropriate for your situation.

Option 1: The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP)

The Parent and Grandparent Program is a permanent residence pathway that allows eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to immigrate to Canada and become permanent residents themselves. A PGP sponsorship is the most comprehensive option, as it allows the sponsored person to live, work, and access public services in Canada on a permanent basis.

Who Can Sponsor Under the PGP?

To sponsor a parent or grandparent under the PGP, the sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 years of age, residing in Canada, and able to demonstrate sufficient income to support the sponsored person.

The minimum income requirement is one of the most important eligibility factors for PGP sponsorship. The sponsor must demonstrate that their income meets or exceeds the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) threshold, which is set at a percentage above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) and varies based on family size. The income requirement must be met for each of the three consecutive tax years immediately preceding the application.

Sponsors who do not meet the income requirement are not eligible to sponsor under the PGP, regardless of how strong the rest of their application may be.

How Does the PGP Application Process Work?

The Parent and Grandparent Program has historically been subject to significant demand, with the number of eligible sponsors far exceeding the number of available spaces each year. IRCC has used various methods over the years to manage this demand, including random draws from a pool of interested sponsors.

When IRCC opens the PGP, interested sponsors must first submit an expression of interest or complete an intake process within the defined window. Those who are selected then receive an invitation to submit a full sponsorship application. The full application requires comprehensive documentation of the sponsor’s income, identity, and relationship to the sponsored person, as well as information about the sponsored person’s health, background, and admissibility.

Given the competitive and time-sensitive nature of the PGP process, having your documentation organized and your application ready before the intake window opens is critically important. Applications that are submitted with missing or inaccurate documentation risk being returned or refused.

Processing Times

PGP processing times have historically been lengthy, often exceeding two years from the submission of a complete application. During this time, the sponsored person remains outside Canada or may apply for a temporary status to visit or reside in Canada while awaiting the outcome of the permanent residence application.

Option 2: The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa

The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is a multiple-entry temporary resident visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit Canada for extended periods. Unlike a standard visitor visa, which typically permits stays of up to six months, the Super Visa allows the holder to remain in Canada for up to five years per entry, with the visa itself being valid for up to ten years.

The Super Visa does not confer permanent status. It is a temporary document that allows parents and grandparents to visit and spend extended time with their family in Canada. However, it is a significantly more flexible and accessible option than the PGP for families who want to spend meaningful time together while a permanent residence application is pending or being considered.

Who Is Eligible for a Super Visa?

To be eligible for a Super Visa, the applicant’s child or grandchild in Canada must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The sponsor must meet the minimum income threshold for the Super Visa, which is set at the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for their family size.

The Super Visa applicant must also obtain qualifying private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company for a minimum coverage period of one year, with a minimum coverage amount of $100,000. This is a firm requirement and one that applicants sometimes overlook.

In addition, the applicant must be admissible to Canada and must demonstrate to a visa officer’s satisfaction that they have ties to their home country that will motivate them to return, such as property, employment, or family, and that they intend to leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay.

Benefits of the Super Visa

The Super Visa offers several meaningful advantages over a standard visitor visa for families in this situation. The ability to remain in Canada for up to five years per entry is the most significant, allowing parents and grandparents to be genuinely present in their family’s life rather than limited to short visits. The ten-year validity of the visa also reduces the administrative burden of repeatedly applying for new visas.

For families who are also pursuing a PGP application, the Super Visa provides a practical solution that allows the sponsored person to spend time in Canada during the often lengthy PGP processing period.

PGP vs. Super Visa: Which Is Right for Your Family?

The right option for your family depends on several factors, including your income, the sponsored person’s long-term intentions, the current status of the PGP intake process, and your family’s practical needs.

If your goal is for your parents or grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada with full and unrestricted access to public services and the ability to remain in Canada indefinitely, the PGP is the appropriate pathway, provided you meet the income requirements and the program is open for applications.

If your goal is for your parents or grandparents to spend extended time in Canada without pursuing permanent residence, or while a PGP application is pending, the Super Visa is a practical and relatively accessible option that can be applied for independently of the PGP process.

In many cases, families pursue both pathways simultaneously, applying for the Super Visa to facilitate immediate extended visits while also preparing for or awaiting the outcome of a PGP application. An experienced immigration consultant can help you assess both options and develop the most appropriate strategy for your family’s specific circumstances.

Common Challenges and How to Avoid Them

Parent and grandparent sponsorship applications are subject to a number of common pitfalls that can result in delays or refusals.

Income shortfalls are the most frequent cause of PGP sponsorship refusals. Sponsors who are close to the income threshold should review their tax returns carefully before applying and seek advice on whether their income qualifies.

Insurance gaps are a common issue with Super Visa applications. The private medical insurance requirement is strictly enforced, and applications that do not include proof of qualifying coverage will be refused.

Admissibility concerns affecting the sponsored person, including health conditions or prior immigration violations, can complicate both PGP and Super Visa applications and require careful management.

Incomplete documentation remains one of the most preventable causes of delays and refusals. Both the PGP and Super Visa applications require extensive supporting materials, and a well-organized, complete application package is essential to a smooth process.

How Judi Simms Paralegal Can Help

At Judi Simms Paralegal Professional Corporation, we understand how much it means to have your family together in Canada. Our licensed immigration consultant has been helping families throughout Richmond Hill, York Region, and the Greater Toronto Area navigate the Parent and Grandparent Program and Super Visa process for over 30 years.

We assess your eligibility, guide you through the income requirements, prepare a thorough and well-organized application package, and ensure that every document meets IRCC’s requirements before submission. Throughout the process, we provide clear, timely communication so your family always knows where things stand.

We serve clients in Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Markham, Newmarket, Aurora, Mississauga, and throughout York Region and the Greater Toronto Area. We respond to all inquiries within one business day.

Call us at 905-737-9747 or email jsimms@rogers.com to schedule a consultation.

Judi Simms Paralegal Professional Corporation — 41 Regent Street, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 9E2

The information in this blog post is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration programs and eligibility requirements are subject to change. If you have questions about sponsoring a parent or grandparent, please contact our office to speak with a licensed immigration consultant.