Note: The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) has closed its 2020 intake period. In 2021, IRCC will open the interest to sponsor form again to accept 30,000 new applications.
Canada’s Parent and Grandparent Program, or PGP allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for Canada Permanent residency.
Sponsored parents and grandparents get enormous benefits and privileges including the right to live and work in Canada anywhere, access to publicly-funded health care and various other social benefits, which ultimately qualify them to become Canadian citizens.
Parent and Grandparent Program 2020 Eligibility
To be eligible for the PGP 2020, both the sponsor and the person(s) being sponsored need to fulfill certain eligibility requirements.
PGP sponsorship applicants must:
- be 18 years of age or older;
- be either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada;
- meet certain income requirements (Minimum Necessary Income-MNI) ; and
- prove that they have sufficient income financially support the family members they are sponsoring
The Minimum Necessary Income (MNI)
The Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) is one of the most important eligibility factors for the PGP. However, applicant will have to provide this proof of necessary income only after interest in sponsorship has been expressed via the online form.
The invited applicants will have to provide proof that they meet the income requirements for each of the 3 tax years – 2018, 2019 and 2020.
| Total number of people applicant will be responsible for | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| 2 people | $32,899 | $41,007 | $40,379 |
| 3 people | $40,445 | $50,414 | $49,641 |
| 4 people | $49,106 | $61,209 | $60,271 |
| 5 people | $55,695 | $69,423 | 68,358 |
| 6 people | $62,814 | $78,296 | $77,095 |
| 7 people | $69,935 | $87,172 | $85,835 |
| If more than 7 people, for each additional person, add: | $7,121 | $8,876 | $8,740 |
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has also introduced a new temporary public policy, which have eased the income requirement for the 2020 tax year on family-class immigration applicants to allow people to sponsor their loved ones, even if they lost income due to coronavirus.
The income requirement for the 2020 tax year has been reduced to the minimum necessary income, instead of the minimum necessary income plus 30%.
IRCC will also require a signed undertaking from interested sponsors that be financially responsible for the sponsored family member, and that the sponsored person will make every effort to support themselves.
The length of the undertaking is 20 years across Canada. However, for the residents of Quebec, the duration of that commitment is 10 years.
Application Process
Step 1: Interested individuals must submit an online sponsorship interest form
Step 2: Invitations to apply will be sent to potential sponsors
Step 3: Potential sponsors receive an invitation to apply and submit their completed application