How to Sponsor Your Parents and Grandparents to Canada: PGP Lottery Guide

Being able to sponsor a parent or grandparent to live permanently in Canada is amongst the most meaningful dreams of many Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The Parents and Grandparents Program, known as PGP, is the main pathway for this kind of family reunification. But because of the high demand for this program, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has long relied on a random selection process, often referred to as the PGP lottery, to determine who is invited to apply. This blog post outlines the process, what has changed since the previous intake, and how to get your family on the right path for the next intake once it opens.

What Is the Parents and Grandparents Program

PGP allows a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor their parents or grandparents, or those of a spouse or common-law partner, for permanent residence. Once approved, the sponsored parent or grandparent can live, work, and study in Canada without needing separate permits, and they gain access to provincial health coverage. They may also become eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship after holding permanent resident status for the required period.

Because the number of spots available per year is relatively limited compared to the number of families that would like to apply, IRCC cannot accept applications on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, the department generally provides a brief period during which an interested sponsor submits an Interest to Sponsor form. IRCC conducts a random draw from a pool of applicants and issues a number of invitations to apply. Sponsorship applications must be submitted only by those who have been invited to do so.

The Current State of PGP Heading Into 2026

Families need to understand the program’s current position, rather than relying on outdated news. As of January 1, 2026, IRCC has paused the acceptance of any new PGP sponsorship and permanent residence applications until further notice. This pause does not mean that the program has been discontinued. Instead, IRCC is focusing on processing applications already in the queue.

In 2025, IRCC issued invitations directly from the pool of forms submitted in 2020, rather than opening a brand-new Interest to Sponsor window. Between late July and early October of 2025, approximately 17,860 invitations were sent, with a goal of accepting up to 10,000 complete applications. Currently, IRCC is processing those 10,000 applications, with published processing timelines indicating wait times well over a year. Families that did not submit an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020 have no current means to enter the pool and no confirmed date for a new public intake.

This is exactly the kind of shifting landscape where working with a lawyer experienced in handling immigration cases is beneficial. Procedure, timelines, and intake methods may shift rapidly and without warning, and skilled immigration lawyers stay on top of these updates so families are not caught off guard.

Eligibility Requirements for Sponsors

Although the new intake has been paused for the moment, it would be wise to stay prepared so you are ready the moment IRCC reopens the program. General eligibility requirements for sponsors include:

• Being at least 18 years old, and a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or an individual registered under the Canadian Indian Act
• Living in Canada or planning to return to Canada once the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident
• Meeting the Low Income Cut-Off (Minimum Necessary Income) plus 30 percent, for three consecutive tax years before applying
• Signing an undertaking to sponsor and financially support a parent or grandparent for 20 years from the date they become a permanent resident
• Having no outstanding sponsorship debts, no history of defaulting on a previous undertaking, and no disqualifying criminal record

The most complicated requirement for most families is meeting the income test because it depends on the size of the household, which tax years are counted, and how self-employment or variable income is treated. This is another area where the guidance of an immigration expert can prevent expensive mistakes.

Preparing While the Program Is Paused

Even with intake currently paused, families can get some real work done.

1. Ensure you file your taxes on time each year and request Notices of Assessment and Option C printouts from the Canada Revenue Agency, as these form the basis of your income proof.
2. Collect documents that prove the relationship, like birth certificates and marriage certificates that show the connection between a parent and child or grandparent and grandchild
3. If you have already submitted an Interest to Sponsor form, keep your contact information up to date with IRCC, as the department has drawn from older pools in recent years
4. Frequently check official announcements on the IRCC’s official website rather than believing information from other sources, as the timing and format of the next intake have not been confirmed
5. Consult an immigration lawyer to discuss your specific situation, including whether the Super Visa will be more suitable in your case as a bridge option while you wait

The Super Visa as an Interim Option

Many families are exploring alternative options because of the long pause and years-long processing backlogs. The Super Visa is a temporary resident visa that permits parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for extended periods of up to 10 years, provided they hold private health insurance that meets the minimum coverage requirement. This does not mean that permanent residence will be granted, but it allows family members to spend time together now rather than waiting years to reunite.

Why Guidance Matters

Once the PGP application process reopens, it will involve a strict 60-day deadline for filing a complete application after receiving the invitation, detailed income calculations across three tax years, medical examinations, and background checks. Even a single missing document or a miscalculation of income can lead to refusal. With the stakes being high and the rules frequently changing, many families opt to work with an immigration lawyer who can review their eligibility, organize documentation, and respond to IRCC requests accurately and on time.

Ready to Prepare Your PGP Sponsorship Case

If you wish your parents or grandparents to live close to you in Canada, don’t wait for an intake announcement before starting to prepare. Contact a qualified immigration professional today to see if you meet the eligibility requirements, organize your income documentation, and create a plan to get your family ready to take action when PGP reopens.

FAQs

1. What is the PGP lottery?
   It is IRCC’s random selection process for choosing which Interest to Sponsor submissions receive an invitation to apply, since demand for parent and grandparent sponsorship far exceeds available spots each year.

2. Is PGP currently open for new applications?
   No. As of January 1, 2026, IRCC has paused new PGP sponsorship applications until further instructions are issued, though applications submitted from the 2025 invitations continue processing.

3. What income do I need to sponsor my parents?
   You must meet the Minimum Necessary Income, calculated as the Low Income Cut-Off plus 30 percent, across three consecutive tax years before applying.

4. How long is the sponsorship commitment?
   Sponsors sign an undertaking to financially support the sponsored parent or grandparent for 20 years from the date they become a permanent resident.

5. What can I do while PGP is paused?
   Prepare income and relationship documents, monitor IRCC announcements, keep contact details updated, and consult an immigration lawyer to plan your next steps.

6. What is the Super Visa alternative?
   The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 10 years with private health insurance, without granting permanent residence.