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Canada announces essential updates to the Parents and Grandparents Program

In 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced new income thresholds for Canadians and permanent residents who wish to sponsor their parents and grandparents through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). These changes, which reflect rising living costs across Canada, directly impact families hoping to reunite with loved ones.

The minimum income requirement for a household of two people has increased to $47,549 for the 2024 tax year, representing a rise of over $3,000 compared to the 2023 requirement. For larger families, sponsors must bear an even more substantial financial responsibility, highlighting the costs they will need to cover.

The PGP is a cornerstone of Canada’s family reunification efforts. Through it, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians can sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency. Unlike temporary visas such as the super visa, the PGP provides long-term stability by granting permanent resident status.

However, the demand for this program has consistently exceeded available spaces. To manage interest fairly, IRCC uses a lottery system to select sponsors from the pool of applicants who previously submitted an “interest to sponsor” form.

In 2025, the federal Government plans to issue 17,860 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to accept 10,000 completed applications.

To qualify as a sponsor under the PGP, applicants must demonstrate a sufficient income for the three consecutive years preceding their application. For the 2025 intake, this means meeting thresholds for 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Minimum Income by Family Size:

Family Size	2024
2	$47,549
3	$58,456
4	$70,972
5	$80,496
6	$90,784
7	$101,075
Additional member	+$10,291

Sponsors may meet these requirements individually or combine their income with that of a co-signing spouse or common-law partner.

The increases highlight how IRCC is adjusting to inflationary pressures and rising living costs across Canada. For example, a family of four must now earn $70,972 in 2024, compared to $66,466 in 2023, a rise of over $4,500 in just one year.

Calculating Family Size

One of the most critical aspects of eligibility is accurately calculating family size. IRCC requires sponsors to include:

• Themselves.
• A spouse or common-law partner (regardless of separation in some cases).
• Dependent children of both the sponsor and partner.
• Individuals previously sponsored and still financially supported.
• Canada sponsors parents or grandparents along with their spouses, partners, and dependents, even if they are not immigrating.

Application Process for 2025

Those selected through the lottery will need to complete two applications:

• Sponsorship Application – where the sponsor commits to supporting the applicants.
• Parents or grandparents submit the Permanent Residence Application when being sponsored.

Both applications must be completed online through IRCC’s PR Portal (or the Representative PR Portal for those using an authorized representative). If multiple parents or grandparents are principal applicants, each requires a separate application.

Sponsors must upload:

• Proof of status (citizenship or PR).
• Completed financial evaluation forms.
• Tax documents showing income for the required three years.
• Signed undertakings of support.
• Application fees start at $1,205 and may increase depending on the number of dependents included.

Who Will Receive Invitations in 2025?

IRCC confirmed that invitations in 2025 will only go to individuals who:

• Submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020; and
• Have not yet received an invitation in the 2020–2024 intake rounds.

It frustrates many families eager to sponsor relatives who missed the 2020 intake, because the authorities will not accept any new interest forms in 2025.

The Role of the Super Visa

For families unable to secure a PGP spot, the super visa provides an alternative. This visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time, with multiple entries permitted over 10 years.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Proof of income from the Canadian host.
• Valid medical insurance coverage.
• A commitment from the sponsor to provide financial support during the visit.

While it does not grant permanent residency, the super visa has become an increasingly popular option as demand for the PGP continues to outstrip supply.

The 2025 update to the income requirements for the Parents and Grandparents Program presents both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, it reaffirms Canada’s dedication to family reunification. On the other hand, it raises the bar for who can realistically participate.

With minimum incomes increasing by more than $3,000 for small families and even more for larger households, sponsors must carefully evaluate their financial eligibility. Those who cannot meet the thresholds may still turn to the super visa as a viable alternative.

Looking forward, rising demand and ongoing policy adjustments suggest that the landscape of parent and grandparent sponsorship in Canada will remain highly competitive. Families seeking to reunite should prepare in advance, stay informed about changes, and consider multiple pathways to bring their loved ones closer.

If you are looking to study, work, visit or migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services at +1 778 239 7861 or +1 647 453 7660 with RCIC # R413239, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company, to get the best help you need.