Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship (PGP) in 2026
As of September 7, 2026: IRCC paused new PGP intake on July 15, 2026. No new interest-to-sponsor forms and no new invitations until further notice. Existing applications continue. The Super Visa remains open.
Processing
Check IRCC tool (inventory continues)
Total Fees
Use IRCC’s current fee list when you have an invitation
Undertaking
20 years
Include
Dependents
About Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship
As of September 7, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) paused new intake under the Parents and Grandparents Program on July 15, 2026. IRCC will not accept new interest-to-sponsor forms and will not invite new potential sponsors to apply until further notice. IRCC continues to process applications already in the system and plans to approve up to 15,000 people for permanent residence through the program in 2026, in line with the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan. The Super Visa remains available for eligible parents and grandparents.
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) lets eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence. Demand has long exceeded the spaces in Canada's levels plan. If you already submitted a complete application after an earlier invitation, keep your contact details current with IRCC. If you never received an invitation, or never entered an interest-to-sponsor pool, you cannot start a new PGP file today.
IRCC's sponsor page mirrors this status: the program is paused, existing applications continue, and parents and grandparents may still qualify for a Super Visa. We are not forecasting a reopen date. Watch IRCC notices only.
For many families, the practical way to reunite for long visits right now is the Super Visa. Key points IRCC highlights: stays of up to 5 years per entry, multi-entry validity of up to 10 years, host income rules (confirm on canada.ca), qualifying medical insurance (minimum CAD $100,000, at least one year), and an immigration medical exam. A Super Visa is temporary status, not permanent residence.
Income: for parent grandparent sponsorship outside Quebec, you (and a co-signer spouse or common-law partner, if any) must show you meet IRCC's minimum necessary income for your family size for each of the three tax years before the date IRCC receives the application. IRCC publishes the dollar thresholds in help centre answer 1445 (page modified 2026-09-01). Because new invitations are paused, treat that table as the last IRCC reference set, not as a guarantee for a future round. This page does not republish a stale LICO-style table.
See our explainer: IRCC pauses parent and grandparent sponsorship (2026).
Free Assessment
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Who Can Sponsor & Be Sponsored
Who Can Sponsor
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Indian Act (when intake is open or you already hold an invitation)
- At least 18 years old
- Living in Canada
- Meet IRCC minimum necessary income for each of the three tax years before IRCC receives the application (Quebec uses Quebec’s assessment)
- Sign an undertaking (20 years outside Quebec; Quebec uses its own length)
- Not in default on a previous sponsorship undertaking or otherwise barred
Who Can Be Sponsored
- Parents (biological, adoptive, or step, where IRCC relationship rules are met)
- Grandparents
- The spouse or common-law partner of the parent or grandparent
- Dependent children of the parent or grandparent, where they qualify as dependants
- PGP is not a route for grandparents to sponsor grandchildren for PR
Required Documents
Income (cite IRCC, no invented bands)
- Meet IRCC minimum necessary income for family size for each of the three tax years before IRCC receives the application
- Family size includes you, dependants, and the parents or grandparents you will be responsible for
- Use IRCC help centre answer 1445 for the published dollar table and tax years (2025 intake used 2024, 2023, and 2022)
- Quebec residents are assessed by Quebec’s ministry, not that federal table
- Proof is through Notices of Assessment (or IRCC-accepted equivalents)
Sponsor Documents
- Notice of Assessment for 3 years
- T4/T1 for 3 years
- Employment letter
- Proof of Canadian status
Applicant Documents
- Valid passports
- Birth certificates showing relationship
- Police certificates
- Medical exams
- Photos meeting specifications
Financial Proof
- Bank statements
- Investment accounts
- Property ownership documents
- Proof of settlement funds
How to Apply
Confirm whether you are in inventory
If you already filed after an invitation, keep processing. If you never received an invitation, you cannot start a new PGP file while the July 15, 2026 pause lasts.
Keep IRCC details current
Keep your IRCC account email and mailing address up to date. Tell IRCC promptly about births, deaths, marriages, divorces, or address changes that affect the file.
Complete IRCC requests on time
Complete medicals, biometrics, and document requests by the deadlines IRCC gives you. Processing times change; verify the current estimate on IRCC’s processing-time tool.
Do not file an unsolicited PGP application
IRCC returns applications filed without an invitation. The old interest-to-sponsor lottery is not running for new sponsors while the pause remains in force.
Use Super Visa for long visits now
Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents may still qualify for a Super Visa (up to 5 years per entry; medical insurance minimum CAD $100,000). It is temporary status, not PR.
Watch IRCC notices only
IRCC has not published a reopen date. We do not invent one. Book a consult if you need a file-specific Super Visa vs inventory plan.
Government Fees
Fees are subject to change. Check IRCC website for current fee schedule. Additional costs may include medical exams, police certificates, and translation services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada still accepting new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications?
Is the parents and grandparents Program open for applications in 2026?
Can grandparents sponsor grandchildren in Canada?
How much income do I need to sponsor my parents and grandparents?
Ready to Sponsor Your Family?
Our RCIC consultants have helped thousands of families reunite in Canada. Book a consultation to discuss your pgp sponsorship case.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.