Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)
Canada’s commitment to family reunification continues this summer. Starting July 28, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will begin emailing invitations to apply (ITA) for the Parents and Grandparents Program. Over roughly two weeks, up to 10,000 complete sponsorship applications will be accepted under this year’s intake. If you filed an Interest to Sponsor (ITS) form back in 2020 and have not yet been selected, now is the time to watch your inbox— and your junk mail folder—closely. No new ITS forms will be collected in 2025; IRCC is drawing exclusively from the remaining 2020 pool.
Below, we break down the new intake, eligibility rules, key timelines, and practical steps you can take now to improve your family’s chance of success.
1. Why the 2025 Intake Matters
- Limited spots: IRCC’s target of 10,000 complete files is a fraction of total demand. When the invitations go out, being ready can make the difference between acceptance and a missed opportunity.
- No fresh interest forms: If you did not submit in 2020, you unfortunately will not be in the selection pool this year. For those families, the expanded Super Visa may be the best interim solution.
- System recalibration: Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan lowered overall family-class targets. IRCC is pacing new applications so processing times do not balloon further. Outside Quebec, current PGP processing is about 24 months; for Quebec cases, 48 months.
2. Who Can Sponsor Parents or Grandparents in 2025?
To accept an invitation, a sponsor must:
- Be a Canadian citizen, registered Indian, or permanent resident aged 18 or older.
- Live in Canada when submitting the full application and remain in Canada until a decision is issued.
- Meet Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirements for each of the three tax years before the date of application (Quebec uses a separate income grid).
- Sign an undertaking (20 years in most provinces, 10 years in Quebec) promising financial responsibility for the sponsored relative(s).
- Include spouses or common-law partners as co-signers if combined income is required to meet MNI.
Tip: Calculate your exact MNI early. IRCC uses Line 15000 (total income) from CRA notices of assessment. Add together 2022, 2023, and 2024 figures and compare them to the published thresholds for your family size plus the parents or grandparents you plan to sponsor.
3. What Happens on July 28?
- IRCC begins emailing ITAs to randomly selected ITS forms from 2020.
- Emails are sent from @cic.gc.ca addresses. Check junk/spam daily.
- Each invitation lists a deadline (typically 60 days) to submit a complete electronic application through the Permanent Residence Portal or Representative Portal.
If you receive an ITA:
- Accept or decline in the portal. Declining returns your form to the pool for potential future draws.
- Upload required documents, including:
- Proof of status in Canada
- CRA notices of assessment (2022–2024)
- Relationship documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates)
- Signed Undertaking and Application to Sponsor forms
- Medical exams and police certificates (can follow later, but plan ahead)
- Pay fees online (sponsorship fee, principal applicant processing fee, right of permanent residence fee).
4. Preparing Now—Even Before an Invitation Arrives
- Update contact information in the 2020 ITS if you have changed email or mailing address. Use IRCC’s webform with the confirmation number you received in 2020.
- Order CRA notices of assessment for the last three years. If corrections are needed, file T1 adjustments early.
- Gather civil status documents (originals and certified translations) for both sponsor and parent(s).
- Check passport validity for parents/grandparents; renew if expiry is within two years.
- Discuss co-signing: if total household income is needed, confirm your spouse/partner meets all co-signer qualifications.
- Consider Quebec steps: sponsors residing in Quebec must apply to MIDI for a separate undertaking after IRCC approves sponsorship.
5. The Super Visa Alternative
Families not selected (or unable to meet MNI) can still reunite through the Super Visa program:
- Multi-entry visa valid up to 10 years
- Stays of up to 5 years per entry, extendable in Canada by an additional 2 years
- Requires proof of private medical insurance and minimum income, but thresholds are lower than PGP MNI
- Program enhancements in 2024 reduced insurance requirements and simplified extensions
Using a Super Visa does not bar future PGP sponsorship once new ITS pools reopen.
6. Why Processing Times Vary
IRCC balances intake with annual levels-plan targets. With reduced overall admissions and high demand, controlling the volume of new files prevents queues from stretching beyond accepted service standards. Quebec’s longer timeline stems from its separate allotment for family-class immigrants and additional provincial review.
7. Common Pitfalls—and How to Avoid Them
| Pitfall | Prevention Strategy |
| Insufficient income | Add a qualified co-signer; delay application until you meet three-year MNI; or use Super Visa first. |
| Expired medical/police certificates | Schedule exams and obtain police checks only after receiving ITA to ensure they remain valid during processing. |
| Missing translations | Use certified translators for all non-English/French documents; include affidavits of accuracy. |
| Digital signatures | IRCC accepts electronic signatures in the PR Portal; ensure all family members sign correctly before submission. |
| Tight deadlines | Start document collection now; create a cloud folder to store PDFs for quick upload. |
8. The Future of PGP Intakes
IRCC has not confirmed when new ITS forms will open again. Trends suggest:
- Quota-based draws will continue until the 2020 backlog is exhausted.
- Income requirements may rise to reflect inflation.
- Digital processing will expand; paper submissions are already discouraged.
Staying informed through official IRCC updates—and experienced counsel—can position your family for the next opportunity.
9. How Hummel Law Can Help
Navigating the PGP’s strict income tests, tight timelines, and evolving rules can be stressful. Our Toronto-based immigration team offers:
- Pre-invitation audits of income and documentation
- CRA reconciliation and advice on qualifying MNI
- Portal application preparation and submission
- Quebec undertaking guidance
- Super Visa planning while you await a PGP draw
- Responses to procedural fairness letters if IRCC questions eligibility
- Appeals and judicial review of refused sponsorships
Act Early, Act Smart
With only 10,000 spots and invitations drawn exclusively from 2020 interest forms, the 2025 PGP intake will be highly competitive. Sponsors should update contact details, verify income, and assemble documents before July 28. Families not selected can still leverage the Super Visa to spend extended time together in Canada.
Need tailored advice or hands-on support? The team at Hummel Law has guided countless families through parent and grandparent sponsorships—as well as Super Visa, appeals, and humanitarian options. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and move one step closer to reuniting your loved ones in Canada.
