Canada's Family Class sponsorship program includes a stream dedicated to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Parents and grandparents approved under this program receive Canadian permanent residence and may eventually be able to apply for Canadian citizenship. 

To be eligible for Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program, an individual must meet:

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act;
• Be 18 years of age or older;
• Be residing in Canada (potential applicants will need to provide proof of status during the Interest to Sponsor phase);
• Exceed the minimum necessary income level for this program and provide proof of income to IRCC; and
• Sign an undertaking
  • to financially support the sponsored for 20 years (starting when they become permanent residents); and
  • to repay any social assistance benefits paid to the sponsored family members (if applicable) for a period of 20 years. 
  • If the sponsor resides in Quebec, an additional "undertaking" must be signed with the province of Quebec. 

Applicants to the PGP will have to prove that they meet the minimum income requirements by submitting notices of assessment issued by the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) in support of their application.

Who can’t sponsor a parent or grandparent

You can’t sponsor your parents and grandparents if:

• you’re less than 18 years old
• you won’t live in Canada when you apply to sponsor your parents and grandparents and/or when your parents and grandparents become permanent residents
  • Your primary residential address must be in Canada when you submit your application and until we make a decision on your application.
• you’re not a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
• you’re a temporary resident, that is you’re visiting, studying or working in Canada on a visa or permit
• your permanent residence application is still in the process
  • You must have permanent resident status at the time you submit your sponsorship application.
• your proof of income shows you don’t have enough money to support the persons you want to sponsor

You may not be eligible to sponsor your parents and grandparents if you:

• are in jail, prison, or penitentiary
• didn’t pay back:
  • an immigration loan
  • a performance bond
  • court-ordered family support payments such as alimony or child support 
• didn’t give the financial support you agreed to when you signed a sponsorship agreement to sponsor someone else in the past
• declared bankruptcy and are not discharged  
• receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability
• were convicted of a violent criminal offense, an offense against a relative or any sexual offense inside or outside Canada
• can’t legally stay in Canada and must leave the country because you received a Removal Order

There may be other reasons that make you ineligible to sponsor your parents and grandparents. If we determine you’re not eligible to sponsor, we’ll tell you why.