Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed it will relaunch the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) on July 28, 2025, providing a major opportunity for family reunification. This year, the government plans to issue up to 10,000 invitations to potential sponsors who want to bring their parents and grandparents to live in Canada permanently.
According to the IRCC’s official announcement, these invitations will be distributed gradually over approximately two weeks.
“Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will accept up to 10,000 complete sponsorship applications for the Parents and Grandparents Program in 2025,” the department stated.
What Is the Canada Parents Sponsorship Program?
The PGP is one of Canada’s key pathways to help families reunite under permanent resident status. Unlike temporary visitor visas such as the Super Visa, which allows longer stays but does not confer permanent residency, the PGP enables parents and grandparents to settle permanently in Canada, access healthcare, and eventually apply for citizenship if eligible.
For more information about the Super Visa, visit the Government of Canada’s Super Visa page.
Who Is Eligible in 2025?
This year’s intake is restricted to existing applicants. New expressions of interest will not be accepted. Only those who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 and have not yet received an invitation during earlier rounds will be considered.
The IRCC emphasized the importance of checking the email address provided in 2020, including junk or spam folders, to avoid missing the invitation.
“Anyone who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 but has not yet received an invitation to apply is encouraged to monitor their email,” officials advised.
To learn more about eligibility requirements and obligations as a sponsor, visit the IRCC’s sponsorship eligibility page.
How to Apply for Canada Parents Sponsorship
Invited sponsors will be required to submit their applications electronically using one of the IRCC’s online portals:
- The Permanent Residence Portal for individuals applying on their own.
- The Representative Permanent Residence Portal if using an authorized representative, such as an immigration consultant or lawyer.
Applicants will need to provide extensive documentation proving their income meets the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirements and that they commit to financially supporting the sponsored relatives.
For detailed instructions, review the official Guide 5772: Application to Sponsor Parents and Grandparents.
Why Is This Program Important?
The Parents and Grandparents Program reflects Canada’s commitment to family reunification, a core pillar of its immigration system. By allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor parents and grandparents, the program helps strengthen communities and supports the well-being of newcomers.
In recent years, the program has been highly oversubscribed. For example, in 2020, over 200,000 people expressed interest in sponsoring their relatives, underscoring the strong demand for this pathway.
Tips for Potential Sponsors
- Ensure your contact information is up to date with IRCC.
- Gather financial records to prove you meet income requirements for each of the last three tax years.
- Monitor your email closely between July 28 and mid-August 2025 for an invitation to apply.
- Be cautious of scams—IRCC will never ask you to pay fees via email or over the phone.
Additional Resources
- Parents and Grandparents Program Overview – Canada.ca
- Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking – Government of Canada
- Find an Authorized Immigration Representative
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