Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship: 2025 Complete Guide

Executive Summary

The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) has undergone significant changes for 2025, creating new opportunities—and new challenges—for Canadian citizens and permanent residents looking to reunite with their family members. After years of lottery-based selection, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has streamlined the process while maintaining strict eligibility requirements.

Key 2025 Changes:

• Modified interest-to-sponsor submission process with extended application windows
• Updated Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) thresholds reflecting current economic conditions
• Enhanced digital document submission system
• Revised processing timelines with priority streams for complete applications

What this means for you: If you’ve been waiting to sponsor your parents or grandparents, 2025 presents a more predictable pathway. However, the financial requirements remain substantial, and incomplete applications face longer delays than ever before.

The program continues to receive significantly more applications than available spots—typically 5-7 applications for every invitation issued. Success depends not just on meeting minimum requirements, but on submitting a strategically prepared, complete application that demonstrates long-term financial stability.

Real insight from AVID experts: We’ve guided hundreds of families through PGP applications, and the difference between approval and refusal often comes down to documentation quality and financial presentation, not just meeting minimum income thresholds.

2025 Program Updates: What’s Actually Changed

Policy Changes from 2024

The most significant shift is IRCC’s move toward a “continuous intake” model for the Interest to Sponsor form. Rather than brief application windows that crash government servers, eligible sponsors can now submit their interest year-round, with invitations issued quarterly based on comprehensive scoring.

Before 2025: Random lottery system with unpredictable application windows After 2025: Merit-based invitation system considering sponsor history, financial stability, and completeness of initial submission

Income Requirement Adjustments

LICO thresholds have increased by 4.2% across all family sizes, reflecting inflation and housing cost increases. For a sponsor with two dependents wanting to bring two parents, the minimum income requirement is now $67,750 (previously $65,000).

What this means for you: If you barely qualified under 2024 requirements, you’ll need to demonstrate additional income sources or consider co-signer options.

Processing Time Improvements

IRCC has committed to processing 80% of complete applications within 20-24 months, down from the previous 20-36 month range. However, this timeline only applies to applications submitted with all required documents.

Real mistake we’ve seen—and how to avoid it: Sponsors often submit incomplete applications hoping to “update later.” In 2025, incomplete applications are returned immediately, losing your invitation spot entirely.

New Document Requirements

Digital submission is now mandatory, with enhanced document verification systems. Physical copies are only required for specific circumstances flagged during processing.

Key additions for 2025:

• Biometric data for all family members over 14
• Enhanced medical examination requirements
• Mandatory proof of relationship documentation (birth certificates, family registry documents)
• Digital signatures on undertaking forms

Eligibility Requirements: Beyond the Basics

Sponsor Eligibility Criteria

Official requirements (as per IRCC):

• Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• At least 18 years old
• Living in Canada (with specific exceptions for Canadian citizens temporarily abroad)
• Meet minimum income requirements for three consecutive taxation years

What really happens behind the scenes: IRCC conducts comprehensive background checks that go beyond basic criminal record verification. They review tax filing history, social assistance records, and previous immigration sponsorship history.

If you’re a recent permanent resident: You need to demonstrate “settlement” in Canada beyond just physical presence. IRCC looks for evidence of economic integration—employment history, bank accounts, property ownership, or long-term lease agreements.

Income Threshold Calculations

The LICO calculation isn’t just about your total income—it’s about consistent, verifiable income that demonstrates long-term financial stability.

2025 LICO Requirements by Family Size:

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Demonstrate income 20-30% above minimum requirements. Marginal qualifiers face heightened scrutiny and longer processing times.

Undertaking Obligations

When you sponsor parents or grandparents, you’re legally responsible for their financial support for 20 years from the date they become permanent residents. This isn’t just a paper commitment—it’s enforced through provincial social assistance recovery programs.

What this means for you: If your sponsored family members receive provincial social assistance, the government can pursue repayment from you personally, including wage garnishment and asset seizure.

Medical Examination Requirements

All sponsored family members must undergo comprehensive medical examinations by IRCC-approved panel physicians. The 2025 changes include mandatory mental health assessments for applicants over 65 and enhanced screening for conditions requiring ongoing medical care.

Real insight from AVID experts: Medical inadmissibility is one of the most common reasons for PGP refusals, particularly for older applicants. We always recommend completing medical exams early in the process to identify potential issues before final submission.

Application Process 2025: Step-by-Step Navigation

Interest to Sponsor Submission

Step 1: Preparation Phase (1-2 months before submission) Gather all required documents before starting your online application. The new system times out after 60 minutes of inactivity, and partial applications cannot be saved.

Required documents for Interest to Sponsor:

• Notice of Assessment (NOA) for three most recent tax years
• Employment verification letter
• Proof of Canadian status (citizenship certificate or PR card)
• Identity documents for all family members to be sponsored

Step 2: Online Submission Complete the Interest to Sponsor form through the IRCC secure portal. The form includes eligibility pre-screening questions that immediately disqualify ineligible applicants.

Real mistake we’ve seen—and how to avoid it: Many applicants rush through the eligibility questions without carefully reading requirements. Incorrect answers result in automatic rejection with no appeal process.

Invitation System Mechanics

IRCC issues invitations quarterly, typically in January, April, July, and October. Invitations are based on a comprehensive scoring system considering:

• Financial stability (40% of score)
• Sponsor history and ties to Canada (30% of score)
• Completeness of initial submission (20% of score)
• Priority factors (family composition, sponsor circumstances) (10% of score)

What this means for you: Meeting minimum requirements doesn’t guarantee an invitation. Strategic presentation of your financial situation and family circumstances significantly impacts your score.

Complete Application Requirements

Once invited, you have 90 days to submit your complete application—no extensions granted. The application package includes forms for both sponsor and sponsored family members.

Critical documents for sponsored family members:

• Birth certificates with official translations
• Marriage certificates (for grandparent sponsorship through spouse)
• Police certificates from all countries of residence
• Medical examination results
• Passport-quality photographs meeting 2025 specifications

If you’re applying from a country with high refusal rates: Additional documentation requirements may apply, including enhanced financial verification and extended background checks.

Submission Deadlines

The 90-day deadline is strictly enforced. Applications submitted even one day late are automatically refused with no reconsideration option.

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Submit applications at least 10-14 days before the deadline to account for technical issues or last-minute document updates.

[Check Your 2025 PGP Eligibility]

Financial Requirements: More Than Just Meeting Minimums

LICO Threshold Calculations

LICO calculations are based on gross income before taxes and deductions. However, IRCC evaluates income stability and source reliability, not just total amounts.

Acceptable income sources:

• Employment income (salary, wages, commissions)
• Self-employment income (after business expenses)
• Pension income (government and private)
• Investment income (dividends, rental income)

Income sources that don’t count:

• Provincial social assistance
• Employment Insurance benefits
• Resettlement assistance payments
• Federal training allowances

Income Verification Methods

IRCC cross-references your reported income with Canada Revenue Agency records. Discrepancies result in application refusal and potential misrepresentation findings.

Required documentation:

• Notice of Assessment for three consecutive years
• T4/T5 slips for all income sources
• Employment verification letters on company letterhead
• For self-employed sponsors: financial statements prepared by licensed accountants

Real insight from AVID experts: We’ve seen applications refused because sponsors rounded income figures or included non-qualifying income sources. Precision in financial reporting is critical.

Co-Signer Options

If you don’t meet income requirements individually, you can include a co-signer who is also a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The co-signer becomes equally responsible for the 20-year undertaking.

Co-signer requirements:

• Must meet LICO requirements for combined family size
• Cannot be receiving social assistance
• Must sign separate undertaking documents
• Undergoes same background verification as primary sponsor

Financial Document Requirements

Beyond basic income verification, IRCC may request additional financial documentation for complex cases:

• Bank statements showing savings and asset accumulation
• Investment account statements
• Property ownership documents
• Business ownership and financial performance records

What this means for you: Strong financial documentation demonstrates your ability to support sponsored family members beyond minimum requirements, reducing processing delays and refusal risk.

Processing and Timelines: What to Expect

Current Processing Times

As of 2025, IRCC reports the following processing times for PGP applications:

Interest to Sponsor to Invitation: 3-6 months (depending on quarterly intake) Complete Application to Decision: 20-24 months for complete applications Incomplete Applications: Returned immediately (processing time resets)

Real insight from AVID experts: These are official estimates. In practice, applications from sponsors with complex financial situations or sponsored family members from certain countries may take 6-12 months longer.

Priority Processing Criteria

IRCC has established priority processing for certain circumstances:

• Sponsors with previous successful sponsorship history
• Medical emergency situations (requires substantial documentation)
• Sponsored family members already in Canada on visitor status

What this means for you: Priority processing reduces timelines by approximately 25-30%, but criteria are strictly applied with extensive verification requirements.

Status Checking Procedures

The IRCC online portal provides regular status updates, but information is often 4-6 weeks behind actual processing stages.

Key status indicators:

• “Application Received” – Initial processing begun
• “Medical Exams Required” – Panel physician appointments can be scheduled
• “Additional Documents Required” – Response required within 30-90 days
• “Decision Made” – Final decision issued (approval or refusal)

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Maintain detailed records of all communications and document submissions. The online status system occasionally shows incomplete information.

2025 Changes Summary: Before vs. After