In a major update for Canadian citizens and permanent residents hoping to reunite with family, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially announced the 2025 intake for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).
Starting July 28, 2025, IRCC will begin issuing invitations to potential sponsors who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020. This intake round will see 17,860 invitations sent out over a two-week period, with the ultimate goal of accepting 10,000 complete sponsorship applications.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 PGP intake, including eligibility, process steps, costs, and what to do if you’re not invited.
What Is the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)?
The PGP is a family reunification initiative that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence in Canada. Sponsored individuals can live, work, and enjoy healthcare and other benefits as Canadian permanent residents.
This program is highly sought-after and competitive due to its limited intake and lottery-based invitation system.
2025 Intake Details
- Invitation Start Date: July 28, 2025
- Invitations to Be Issued: 17,860
- Application Target: 10,000 complete applications
- Selection Pool: Interest to sponsor forms submitted in 2020
- Processing Model: By invitation only
Important: If you did not submit an interest to sponsor form in 2020, you will not be eligible for the 2025 round.
Who Is Getting Invited?
For the 2025 intake, IRCC will not open a new interest to sponsor form. Instead, the department is drawing from a pre-existing pool of submissions made in 2020. This follows the model used in both the 2021 and 2022 intakes.
Those selected will receive an invitation to apply (ITA) via email. If you receive one, you’ll have a limited time window (usually 60 days) to submit your complete sponsorship and permanent residence application package.
Fees to Apply
The minimum cost to sponsor one parent or grandparent starts at $1,205 CAD, broken down as follows:
- Sponsorship application fee: $85
- Principal applicant processing fee: $570
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $515
- Biometrics (if required): $85/person
Additional fees apply for accompanying dependents (e.g., spouse or children of the sponsored person).
Who Can Sponsor?
To be eligible as a sponsor, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
- Be living in Canada
- Meet the income requirements for each of the 3 years prior to applying (Minimum Necessary Income or MNI)
- Sign an undertaking to financially support the sponsored person for 20 years (10 years in Quebec)
In Quebec, sponsors must also meet provincial criteria and sign a separate undertaking with the Quebec government.
Who Can You Sponsor?
Under this program, you can sponsor:
- Your biological or adoptive mother and/or father
- Your grandmother or grandfather
- If your parents are separated or divorced, you may sponsor more than one person (e.g., both your mother and father)
You may also sponsor accompanying family members of your parents or grandparents (e.g., their spouses or dependent children), as long as they are listed in the application and meet admissibility criteria.
Steps to Take If You’re Invited
- Check your email (including spam/junk) starting July 28 for an invitation from IRCC.
- If invited, follow the instructions provided in the email and begin preparing your full application.
- Submit a complete sponsorship and permanent residence application within the deadline (usually 60 days).
- Include all required forms, documents, and fees in your submission.
- Keep a copy of everything for your records.
How Long Will Processing Take?
Processing times for the Parents and Grandparents Program vary depending on the complexity of each case. While IRCC has made improvements to reduce backlogs, applicants should still anticipate 12 to 24 months for final decisions.
You can always check updated processing times here: Check Processing Times
What If You Don’t Get Invited?
If you do not receive an invitation in the 2025 intake:
- You cannot apply under the PGP this year.
- You may rely on the Super Visa program as an alternative to bring your parents/grandparents to Canada temporarily.
Timeline Summary
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Interest to sponsor forms were submitted |
| July 28, 2025 | Invitations to apply begin |
| August–September 2025 | Invited applicants submit full applications |
| 2025–2026 | Applications are processed and decisions issued |
The reopening of the 2025 Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program is a highly anticipated development for thousands of Canadian families who have been waiting patiently since 2020. While the limited number of invitations means not everyone will get a chance to sponsor this year, IRCC continues to offer the Super Visa program as an alternative.
For those invited, the opportunity is golden—but it comes with strict eligibility checks, financial responsibility, and time-sensitive application steps. It is crucial to act quickly, prepare thoroughly, and ensure all requirements are met before submission.
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