The application for the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) has changed for the 2017 application Cycle. See below for more detail. 

Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) Changes for 2017

Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents who want to apply as sponsors were originally required to first complete an on line form on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) website, to indicate their interest in applying to sponsor their parents or grandparents. The online form was available from January 3, 2017 until February 2, 2017. IRCC randomly invited 10,000 individuals to complete and submit an application to the PGP. Candidates who were invited to apply had 90 days to submit a complete application and all supporting documents. 

Therefore the draw for 2017 is over. Interested candidates must wait until January 2018 to enter into the draw for 2018 Parental Sponsorship. In the meantime, another way to bring Parents and Grandparents to Canada is through the Super Visa Program. This program allows family members to come to Canada as long term visitors on a multiple entry visa that may last up to 10 years. A Super Visa is valid for 2 years before it has to be renewed. 

Parents and Grandparents who are sponsored under this program by Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents will receive Permanent Residence and are eligible to apply for Canadian Citizenship 4 years later. 

Eligibility of the Sponsor 

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident 
• Must meet or exceed the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement for Family Sponsorship and Sponsors must provide Notices of Assessment (NOA'S) from the CRA to IRCC as proof that they meet these requirements.
• Must sign and Undertaking that commits the Sponsor to provide financial support. Should the sponsored Parents or Grandparents be in receipt of any social assistance then the sponsor is responsible for repayment of these benefits paid to the sponsored family members for 20 years from the date that they obtain Permanent Residence for Canada. 

Minimum Necessary Income for Family Sponsorship

In order to sponsor Family Members, sponsors must meet or exceed the minimum necessary income level (MNI). This requirement is set in place to ensure sponsors are able to financially support the family members they wish to sponsor and bring to Canada. The minimum necessary income required varies, depending on the number of family members you support in Canada and the number of family members you wish to sponsor. 

To be eligible to sponsor your Parents or Grandparents you must exceed the MNI for each of the last 3 years. If applying in 2017, your income in 2014, 2015, 2016 must exceed the corresponding MNI for 2014, 2015 and 2016. Each income must be matched with the MNI year. The MNI and Income matching is always using numbers starting from 1 year before the actual year you are applying since their is a time lag in processing tax returns. 

​To be eligible to sponsor all other family members besides Parents and Grandparents your income for the one previous year must exceed the MNI for the previous year. You are only required to exceed the MNI fr the most recent year and not for the 3 previous years as is the case with sponsoring Parents and Grandparents. 

The Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) is calculated as the Low Income Cut Off (LICO) plus 30%

Minimum Necessary Income Table for 2017

Family Members

MINI 2016

MNI 2015

MNI 2014

2 Persons
3 Persons
4 Persons
5 Persons
6 Persons
7 Persons
​Each Additional Person 

$39,371
$48,404
$58,768
$66,654
$75,174
$83,695
​$8,522

$38,618
$47,476
$57,642
$65,377
$73,733
$82,091
​$8,358

$38,272
$47,051
$57,125
$64,791
$73,072
$81,355
​$8,271

What if I want to Sponsor my Parents / Grandparents but I do not meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) required? 

If you do not qualify for the Parent and Grandparent Permanent Resident sponsorship because you do not meet the MNI for the 3 year period then you can apply for a Super Visa as the income required is only for one year and is about 30% lower. 

Super Visa

Another way to bring Parents and Grandparents to Canada is through the Super Visa Program. This program allows family members to come to Canada as long term visitors on multiple entry visa that may last up to 10 years. A Super Visa is valid for 2 years before it has to be renewed. 

Eligibility for a Super Visa

• A written commitment of Financial Support from the sponsor which may be a child or grandchild over the age of 18 who is a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident must be provided. 
• The sponsor must meet the Minimum Necessary Income for Super Visa applicants. 
• Must prove that they have purchased Canadian healthcare insurance for at least one year
• Complete a medical examination.
• Depending on the nationality of the sponsored person, a Temporary Resident Visa may also be required.

Minimum Necessary Income For Super Visa 2017

Family Members

Minimum Necessary Income (MNI)

2 Persons
3 Persons
4 Persons
5 Persons 
6 Persons 
7 Persons
Each Additional Person after 7

$30,625
$37,650
$45,712
$51,846
$58,473
$65,101
​$6,628