Starting today, 28 July, the federal government will begin sending out invitations to apply (ITAs) to permanent residents and Canadian citizens wishing to sponsor their parents or grandparents.
Invitations will be sent out by lottery.
The selected prospective sponsors will be contacted through the email that they submitted with their initial interest-to-sponsor form in 2020.
This article will cover eligibility and the application procedure for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).
Sponsor your parents and grandparents for Canadian immigration
Who will receive invitations this year, through the PGP?
This year, the federal government will issue Itas to prospective sponsors who
- Submitted a complete interest-to-sponsor form in 2020; and
- Did not receive an ITA in previous application intake years (2020-2024).
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will send out 17,860 ITAs over the next two weeks, with the goal of accepting 10,000 complete applications for permanent residence (PR) sponsorship.
Note that this eligibility is separate from the eligibility to sponsor your parents or grandparents. You will need to prove this eligibility in the application process.
Application process
Create or sign in to your account
If you’re invited to sponsor your parents or grandparentsthere are two applications involved:
- Sponsorship application – You apply to become a sponsor.
- Permanent residence application – Your parents or grandparents apply for permanent residence.
The principal applicant (the person being sponsored) must submit both applications online using the PR Portal.
If a paid representative is assisting, they will use the Representative PR Portal to submit the applications.
If more than one parent or grandparent is applying as a principal applicant, each must create their own portal account and submit an individual application.
Special accommodation can also be made if your parents or grandparents cannot apply online.
Complete the forms
The following table details forms to be completed by both the sponsor and the principal applicant:
Documents for the person being sponsored |
Documents for the Sponsor |
|---|---|
| Digital forms (to be completed in the portal) | PDF forms (to be downloaded, filled out, and provided to the principal applicant): |
| Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008] | Document Checklist — Sponsor [IMM 5771] |
| Schedule A – Background/Declaration [IMM 5669] | Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking [IMM 1344] |
| Additional Family Information [IMM 5406] | Financial Evaluation for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship [IMM 5768] |
| Supplementary Information – Your Travels [IMM 5562] | Income Sources for the Sponsorship of Parents and Grandparents [IMM 5748] (if applicable) |
| Any dependent 18 years or older must also complete IMM 5669, IMM 5406, IMM 5562 and, if applicable, IMM 5476 (regardless of whether they are immigrating or not). | Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] (if applicable) |
| PDF forms (to be uploaded in the online application if applicable): | |
| Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] | |
| Statutory Declaration of Severance of a Common-Law Union [IMM 5519] | |
| Details of Military Service [IMM 5546] | |
| Details of Government Employment | |
| Details of Police Service |
You can use the Instruction Guide [IMM 5772] for a more comprehensive overview of the required documents and instructions on how to complete your forms correctly.
The sponsored person (principal applicant) must:
- Upload the sponsor’s completed PDF forms to their online application; and
- Electronically sign the entire application in the PR portal (including for their family members).
Note: Sponsors who are Canadian citizens must provide proof of their citizenship.
Pay application fees
Application fees must be paid online. Fees for the PGP typically start at $1,205.
Types of Fees:
- Processing fees – For you, the person(s) you’re sponsoring, and any dependents;
- Right of permanent residence fee – Must be paid before final application approval; and
- Biometrics fee – Usually required when you submit your application
- Covers fingerprints and digital photo collection.
The fees that you pay may also differ based on your situation:
| Category | Description | Fee ($CAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor your parent or grandparent | Sponsorship fee | $85.00 |
| Principal applicant processing fee | $545.00 | |
| Right of permanent residence fee | $575.00 | |
| Total | $1,205.00 | |
| Sponsor your parent or grandparent (without the right of permanent residence fee) | Sponsorship fee | $85.00 |
| Principal applicant processing fee | $545.00 | |
| Total | $630.00 | |
| Include the spouse or partner of your parent or grandparent | Processing fee | $635.00 |
| Right of permanent residence fee | $575.00 | |
| Total | $1,210.00 | |
| Include the spouse or partner of your parent or grandparent (without the right of permanent residence fee) | Processing fee | $635.00 |
| Include a dependent child of your parent or grandparent | Per child | $175.00 |
| Total | $810.00 |
Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third-party fees for
- Medical exams; and/or
- Police certificates.
Refer to the instruction guide to determine which fees are required for your case.
Submit your online application
Before submitting, ensure that you:
- Answer all questions in the forms;
- Electronically sign your application (your full name as it appears on your passport);
- Include the fee payment receipt;
- Upload all required documents; and
- Attach a copy of your ITA letter in the “Required documents” section.
If the application is incomplete, IRCC will send you a letter asking for the missing documents. You’ll have 30 days to respond with the required information. If your application is still incomplete after 30 daysit will be returned and will not be processed.
After submission, you can track your application and submit updates. You can also manage your parents or grandparents’ application as their sponsor.
Current processing times are available on IRCC’s website.
Submit additional information during processing
After applying, we’ll ask the principal applicant and family members to submit the following:
- Medical Exams
- IRCC will provide instructions for medical exams after you submit a complete permanent residence application.
- Police Certificates
- Police certificates are valid for 1 year from the date of issue. If your application takes longer, updated certificates may be required.
- Biometrics
- Once the biometrics fee is paid, IRCC will send a letter requesting biometrics (fingerprints and photos) for anyone aged 14 to 79.
- They must complete this step within 30 days of receiving the letter.
- They must bring both the letter and their passport to the biometrics collection site.
- If they cannot complete this in time, use the web form to request an extension.
- Once the biometrics fee is paid, IRCC will send a letter requesting biometrics (fingerprints and photos) for anyone aged 14 to 79.
Your application will be returned if:
- It is incomplete;
- Fees are unpaid;
- You were not invited to apply; and
- You did not apply before the deadline included in your ITA.
After submitting your application, you must keep your information (both sponsors and the principal applicant and any dependents) up to date. You can use the department’s web form to inform them of changes to your application.
Sponsor your parents and grandparents for Canadian immigration
