Parent & Grandparent Sponsorship: ~28 Months (63 in Quebec)

As of 9 October 2026, Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) sponsorship applications take about 28 months outside Quebec and 63 months in Quebec, from submission to final decision. This is one of the longest processing times among Canadian immigration programs due to the high volume of applications, thorough financial assessment requirements, and thorough background checks involved. On July 15, 2026, IRCC paused the program: it is not accepting new interest to sponsor forms or inviting potential sponsors to apply until further notice, but it keeps processing applications it already has. The most recent intake was in 2025.

The PGP program has strict financial requirements: sponsors must meet or exceed the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for their household size for three consecutive taxation years. This income must be demonstrated through official Canadian tax documents (Notice of Assessment). The financial assessment ensures sponsors can support their parents or grandparents without them needing social assistance, and sponsors commit to financially supporting them for 20 years.

Processing includes multiple stages: sponsor eligibility assessment (including financial review), applicant's permanent residence assessment, medical examinations, background checks, and final decision. Applications from countries requiring extensive background verification may take longer. The medical inadmissibility assessment is particularly important for parent/grandparent applications as medical conditions requiring significant healthcare services can lead to refusal.