In a much-anticipated announcement that brings hope to thousands of families across Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially confirmed the details for the 2025 intake of the highly sought-after Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). This vital immigration pathway allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence, fostering family reunification and strengthening community ties. The announcement outlines the number of available spots, the application process, and the critical timelines that potential sponsors must adhere to. For many, this news represents a pivotal opportunity to bring their loved ones to Canada to build a future together, making a thorough understanding of the program’s requirements more important than ever.
A Landmark Announcement for Family Reunification: The 2025 PGP Intake
The 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program intake marks a significant moment for Canadian immigration. IRCC has stated its goal to accept up to 25,000 complete applications for processing this year. To achieve this target, the department will issue approximately 35,700 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to potential sponsors who have previously submitted an interest to sponsor form. The intake will specifically draw from the pool of potential sponsors who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020, as there has not been a new opportunity to submit an interest form since then. This approach aims to manage the existing inventory of interested individuals before potentially opening a new intake pool in the future. The invitations will be sent out over a two-week period, beginning in late July 2025. This limited window and the high demand underscore the competitive nature of the PGP. It is a moment of profound opportunity, but also one that requires immediate and diligent preparation from those who receive a coveted invitation.
Decoding the 2025 PGP Application Process: A Crucial Step-by-Step Breakdown
Navigating the Parents and Grandparents Program requires a clear understanding of its distinct, multi-stage process. IRCC continues to utilize a lottery-based system, a method chosen to provide a more equitable opportunity for all interested sponsors compared to the previous first-come, first-served model which often saw quotas fill within minutes. For the 2025 intake, the process remains consistent with recent years, focusing on the randomized selection of candidates from the 2020 pool of submissions. Potential sponsors who submitted an interest form in 2020 should be actively monitoring their email accounts during the invitation round. Upon receiving an ITA, the sponsor is given a strict 60-day deadline to submit a complete and thorough application package. This includes all required forms, supporting documents, and payment of the applicable government fees. Given the tight timeline, prospective sponsors who have been waiting since 2020 are strongly advised to begin gathering their financial documents and other necessary paperwork in advance, even before an invitation is received.
Here is a summary of the critical steps involved in the 2025 PGP application journey:
Verify Your Interest to Sponsor Submission: Confirm that you submitted an interest to sponsor form during the 2020 intake window. Only individuals from this pool are eligible for the 2025 lottery.
Monitor for an Invitation to Apply (ITA): Keep a close watch on the email address used for the 2020 submission. IRCC will send ITAs directly to randomly selected candidates starting in late July 2025.
Gather All Required Documentation: Once an ITA is received, or preferably beforehand, begin assembling the comprehensive application package. This includes proof of income, civil status documents, and all necessary forms for both the sponsor and the applicants.
Submit the Complete Application: The full application, along with all supporting evidence and fee payments, must be submitted to IRCC through the Permanent Residence Portal before the 60-day deadline expires. Incomplete applications will be returned, and the opportunity will be lost.
Await a Decision: After submission, IRCC will review the application to ensure it meets all eligibility and admissibility criteria. This process can take a significant amount of time, and patience is key.
Are You Eligible? Meeting the Fundamental Sponsor Requirements for the PGP
Before an application can be successful, the sponsor must meet a series of stringent eligibility criteria designed to ensure they can adequately support their parents or grandparents upon their arrival in Canada. The most critical of these is the financial requirement, known as the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI). Sponsors must demonstrate that they have met the MNI for the three consecutive taxation years immediately preceding the date of their application (i.e., 2024, 2023, and 2022 for a 2025 application). This income is assessed based on the sponsor’s Notices of Assessment (NOAs) issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The MNI amount varies based on the total number of people the sponsor will be financially responsible for, including themselves, their current dependents, and the parents or grandparents being sponsored. It is crucial to calculate this number correctly. In addition to the financial capacity, a sponsor must be at least 18 years old, be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and be residing in Canada. Finally, the sponsor must sign a formal undertaking, which is a binding promise to financially support the sponsored family members for a period of 20 years.
The MNI thresholds are updated annually. Below is a sample table illustrating the required income levels (excluding Quebec, which has its own income requirements):
Size of Family Unit
2024
2023
2022
2 persons
$45,000
$44,000
$43,000
3 persons
$55,000
$54,000
$52,500
4 persons
$67,000
$65,500
$64,000
5 persons
$76,000
$74,500
$72,500
6 persons
$86,000
$84,000
$81,500
7 persons
$96,000
$94,000
$91,000
If more than 7 persons, for each additional person, add:
$10,000
$9,500
$9,000
Note: These figures are illustrative examples and sponsors must refer to the official IRCC figures for the relevant years.
Essential Documentation: Preparing Your Impeccable PGP Application Package
A successful Parents and Grandparents Program application hinges on the submission of a flawless and complete documentation package. Any missing information or document can lead to the refusal of the application, forcing the sponsor to wait for a future opportunity. Preparation is paramount. The sponsor must provide substantial proof of their eligibility, while the sponsored parents or grandparents must provide documentation to establish their identity and admissibility to Canada. For the sponsor, the most critical documents are the Notices of Assessment (NOAs) from the Canada Revenue Agency for the three required tax years. These are non-negotiable proof of meeting the Minimum Necessary Income. Other documents for the sponsor include proof of their status in Canada (e.g., Canadian passport, permanent resident card, or citizenship certificate) and the completed and signed application forms, including the undertaking. For the parents or grandparents, the package must include valid passports, birth certificates to prove their relationship to the sponsor, marriage certificates if applicable, and any other required civil status documents. Furthermore, they will eventually need to undergo medical examinations and provide police clearance certificates from their country of residence and any other country where they have lived for six months or more since the age of 18.
Beyond the PGP: Exploring a Viable Alternative with the Super Visa Program
Given the high demand and limited spots in the Parents and Grandparents Program, not everyone who wishes to sponsor will be invited to apply. For those not selected in the lottery, or for those who may not currently meet the rigorous MNI requirements for the PGP, the Super Visa program remains an excellent and highly popular alternative for family reunification. The Super Visa is a multi-entry temporary resident visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit Canada for extended periods. It is valid for up to 10 years and permits holders to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time, with the option to apply to extend their stay. This provides a wonderful opportunity for families to spend significant, quality time together without the permanence or lengthy processing times of the PGP. The eligibility requirements for the Super Visa are also more flexible. While there is a financial requirement, the income threshold is lower than the PGP’s MNI. The key additional requirement is that the applicant must provide proof of having purchased private Canadian medical insurance valid for at least one year. For many families, the Super Visa is not just a backup plan, but a strategic and effective solution for bringing loved ones to Canada quickly and efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)? The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a Canadian family sponsorship immigration stream. It allows eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents over the age of 18 to sponsor their parents and/or grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada.
How does the PGP lottery system work? IRCC randomly selects potential sponsors from a pool of individuals who previously submitted an “Interest to Sponsor” form. Those selected are issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and can then submit a full application. For 2025, the lottery is drawing from the pool of submissions made in 2020.
What is the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the PGP? The Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) is the financial threshold a sponsor must meet to be eligible for the PGP. The sponsor must prove their income met the MNI for the three consecutive tax years before they apply, with the amount varying based on the size of their family unit.
What happens if I am not invited to apply for the PGP? If you are not selected from the lottery pool, you cannot apply for the PGP in that intake year. A highly recommended alternative is the Super Visa, which allows parents and grandparents to come to Canada for long-term visits of up to five years at a time.
What is the undertaking for the PGP? The undertaking is a legally binding agreement between the sponsor and the Canadian government. By signing it, the sponsor promises to provide financial support for the basic needs of their sponsored parents or grandparents for a period of 20 years.
