Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) — application
PGP is invitation-based via annual lottery. Sponsor must meet 3 years MNI. 20-year undertaking.
CanadaFamily SponsorshipPGPMNI20-year undertaking
Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is the family-class pathway for sponsoring parents / grandparents to PR. Key constraints: • Intake is LOTTERY-BASED — IRCC randomly selects ~30,000-40,000 invitations annually from interest-to-sponsor pool • Sponsor must meet MINIMUM NECESSARY INCOME (MNI) for 3 consecutive years • 20-year sponsorship undertaking • If Quebec sponsor: 10-year undertaking (Quebec-specific) • Processing time: 20-24 months after invitation Alternative: Super Visa — for long-term visiting (up to 5 years per entry, 10-year multiple-entry visa). No MNI requirement, but no PR status. Draft a PGP application strategy for [SPONSOR_NAME] sponsoring [PARENTS_TO_SPONSOR]. §1 — INVITATION TO APPLY PROCESS (150-180 words) PGP intake is opened annually (date varies — typically October-November of preceding year, sometimes paused). Process: Stage 1 — Interest to Sponsor: • Sponsor submits Interest to Sponsor form online (free) during the intake window • IRCC randomly selects ~30,000 invitations from the pool • Sponsors who submitted Interest to Sponsor have ~30 days to submit a complete application after receiving invitation Stage 2 — Application: • Submit Sponsorship Application + supporting documents • Application fee: CAD 1,050 (CAD 75 per dependent if children accompanying) • Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): CAD 575 per adult applicant Stage 3 — Eligibility assessment: • CPC Mississauga assesses sponsor eligibility (income, MNI met for last 3 years, no default, no criminal bar) Stage 4 — Parent / Grandparent application: • Visa office processes PR application • Includes biometrics, medicals, police certificates, photographs For [PGP_INTEREST_YEAR]: confirm intake is open / planned. §2 — INCOME (MNI) REQUIREMENT (250-300 words) The Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for PGP sponsorship is annual income that exceeds the LICO (Low-Income Cut-Off, urban centres) for the sponsor's family size + 30%. Family size for MNI calculation: Family size = sponsor + sponsor's spouse + sponsor's dependent children + previously sponsored people whose undertaking is still in effect + parent(s) being sponsored + parent's accompanying dependents Example (2024 numbers, verify current): Family of 2: MNI ~CAD 32,898 Family of 3: MNI ~CAD 40,444 Family of 4: MNI ~CAD 49,106 Family of 5: MNI ~CAD 55,695 Family of 6: MNI ~CAD 62,814 Family of 7+: add ~CAD 8,300 per person For [SPONSOR_NAME] sponsoring [PARENTS_TO_SPONSOR]: • Determine post-sponsorship family size • Determine MNI threshold for that family size • Compare against [SPONSOR_INCOME_3_YR] Income proof: • Notice of Assessment (NOA) from CRA for each of the last 3 tax years • Line 150 (total income before deductions) • Sources: T4 employment, T4A self-employment, T5 investment income • Federal taxable income: must meet MNI line 150 If sponsor's income falls short: • Add co-signer (spouse / common-law): none • Co-signer's NOAs also assessed • Co-signer accepts sponsorship obligations alongside sponsor If still short: • Wait until income meets threshold for 3 consecutive years • Consider Super Visa as alternative for parent visits §3 — APPLICATION DOCUMENTS (200-250 words) Sponsor (Stage 1) documents: □ IMM 1344 (Application to Sponsor + Sponsorship Agreement + Undertaking) □ Notice of Assessment (NOAs) for last 3 tax years □ Tax records (T4s + T1 General if requested) □ Co-signer's NOAs if applicable □ Proof of relationship to parents (birth certificate, marriage certificate) □ Sponsorship undertaking signed □ Application fee receipt Parent / Grandparent (Stage 2) documents: □ IMM 0008 — Generic Application Form (Permanent Residence) □ Passport(s) □ Police certificates from all countries lived in 6+ months since age 18 □ Medical exam (panel physician, valid 12 months) □ Photos (2 recent, biometric) □ Schedule A — Background / Declaration (IMM 5669) □ Additional Family Information (IMM 5406) — includes EVERY child (married or not) and grandchildren □ Use of Representative (IMM 5476) □ Biometrics □ Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): CAD 575 per adult Settlement plan (informally encouraged): • Where parents will live (with sponsor / separate residence) • Healthcare arrangement (parents not eligible for public health for 3 months in some provinces; private insurance recommended) • Daily care + integration plan §4 — 20-YEAR UNDERTAKING OBLIGATIONS (100-130 words) By signing the sponsorship agreement, [SPONSOR_NAME] commits to: • Provide basic requirements (food, shelter, clothing, healthcare not covered by public health) for parents • Repay provincial government for any social assistance parents receive during 20-year period • Remain in Canada (continued residence; sponsor cannot leave permanently during 20-year period) Financial weight: 20 years × cost of supporting elderly parent(s) in Canada = significant. Health insurance for elderly parents is the largest variable; many provinces have 3-month wait for public coverage. §5 — SUPER VISA AS ALTERNATIVE / PARALLEL TRACK (60-80 words) Super Visa: • Multi-entry visa for 10 years • Each entry up to 5 years (formerly 2 years) • No MNI for PGP (but Super Visa has its own income threshold — LICO 1.0 not 1.3) • Medical insurance required ($100,000 minimum coverage) • No PR status; parents remain temporary residents • Useful when MNI not met OR PGP lottery not won • Can be issued same year as PGP application processes Many sponsors apply for both: Super Visa for immediate parent presence + PGP for eventual PR. §6 — TIMELINE EXPECTATIONS (40-60 words) • Interest to Sponsor: October-November (intake-dependent) • Invitation to Apply: random selection within 4 weeks of intake close • Application submission: 30 days • Processing: 20-24 months • Parents arrive as PRs: ~24 months after invitation End with: "DRAFT PGP APPLICATION — for RCIC review. Verify current MNI for the post-sponsorship family size against canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/sponsor-parents-grandparents/income-requirements.html — updated annually. Super Visa runs in parallel; advise sponsor on dual-track strategy."
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