Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship in Canada

Discover how you can bring your parents or grandparent to Canada to live and work.

Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada can sponsor their parents and grandparents to become Permanent Residents of Canada. The Parents and Grandparents Program application process typically opens once a year. It lets citizens and permanent residents of Canada sponsor their parents and grandparents to come to Canada.

Who You Can Sponsor?

You can sponsor your own parents and grandparents, related by blood or adoption.

In case of divorce, you’ll need to submit separate applications if you sponsor divorced parents and grandparents. If your divorced parents or grandparents have a current spouse, common-law partner or a conjugal partner, these people become dependants on the application and can immigrate to Canada with your parents and grandparents, if approved.

In the application, you can include your brothers and sisters, or half brothers and sisters, or step-brothers and step-sisters only if they qualify as dependent children.

You must meet the income requirements for all the people you want to sponsor and their dependants (spouse, partner and children).

Requirements to Become a Sponsor

You can sponsor your own parents and grandparents if

you’re invited to apply
you’re at least 18 years old
you live in Canada
you’re a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
you have enough money to support the people you want to sponsor
to show that you have enough, you’ll have to provide your proof of income
you may have a spouse or common-law partner co-sign to combine your incomes
you meet all other requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

Eligibility Requirements for Parents\Grandparents

To show they meet the eligibility requirements, your parents and grandparents and their dependants must provide

all required forms and documents with their application
any additional information requested during processing, including
medical exams
police certificates
biometrics

Who You Can’t Sponsor?

Your spouse’s parents and grandparents (your in-laws)
- however, you can be a co-signer on your in-laws’ application

Someone who is inadmissible to Canada (someone who is not allowed to come to Canada)

Application Process

Important to note: Family sponsorship is a lengthy process and a lottery, which means that even if you apply you might not receive the invitation to apply. For example, IRCC is not accepting any application right now.

Our Process

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who can sponsor their parents and grandparents in Canada?

Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are 18 years of age or older can sponsor their parents and grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada.

Are there any financial requirements for sponsoring parents and grandparents?

Yes, you must meet the income requirements for all the people you want to sponsor and their dependants (spouse, partner and children).

Can I sponsor my parents or grandparents if I don't meet the financial requirements?

If you don’t meet the financial requirements, you may still have options. You can have a co-signer, such as your spouse or common-law partner, to combine their income with yours.

Is there a limit to the number of applications accepted for sponsoring parents and grandparents?

Yes, the Canadian government sets an annual cap on the number of applications accepted for sponsoring parents and grandparents.