In 2026, the standard processing time for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is generally between 20 and 24 months. To sponsor your family, you must prove three consecutive years of income, and the standard government application fee paid to IRCC is approximately $1,225 CAD per parent.
Reuniting with family is a priority for many newcomers, and bringing your parents to live permanently in Canada is an incredibly rewarding milestone. Operating under the federal immigration system, the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows eligible citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their loved ones. Whether you reside in Toronto, Ontario or Calgary, Alberta, understanding the 2026 processing timelines helps you manage your family’s expectations and plan for their eventual arrival.
Because the demand drastically exceeds the annual quota, the federal government currently uses a lottery system, meaning wait times only begin once you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and submit a complete file. 📍 Gathering the necessary documents is a massive undertaking. You will need your official tax records from the CRA to prove your Minimum Necessary Income (MNI). If your income drops due to a workplace injury, certain non-taxable benefits from WSIB might be included in your calculation, whereas regular employment insurance from Service Canada usually does not count unless it is a special benefit.
It is deeply important to recognize that your personal family obligations can directly impact your financial eligibility. For instance, if you are divorced and paying Spousal Support or child support, those legally mandated amounts are deducted from your total income, making it harder to meet the strict MNI threshold. Furthermore, if you share Parenting Time or Decision-making responsibility for dependents, those children are counted in your family size. Navigating these complex financial rules is exactly why many sponsors choose to hire a qualified Lawyer / Law Firm to prepare their application.
Step-by-Step Process for Sponsoring Parents in Canada
Once you are lucky enough to be selected in the PGP lottery, the clock starts ticking. You generally have exactly 60 days to submit a flawless application to IRCC. Applicants from Vancouver to Halifax strictly follow these essential steps.
Step 1: Downloading CRA Notices of Assessment
Your financial stability is the most critical factor in this application. 🔍 You must log into your CRA My Account and download your Notices of Assessment (NOA) for the three tax years immediately preceding your application. Your gross income must strictly meet or exceed the MNI threshold for your specific family size for all three years.
Step 2: Completing the Digital Forms
IRCC has transitioned almost entirely to digital applications via the Permanent Residence Portal. You must carefully fill out forms such as the IMM 1344 (Application to Sponsor) and IMM 0008 (Generic Application Form). Mistakes in dates, addresses, or failing to declare a dependent can lead to the entire application being returned or refused for misrepresentation.
Step 3: Submitting and Waiting for the Acknowledgment of Receipt
After paying the fees and submitting the digital package, you enter the initial waiting period. 📧 It generally takes IRCC several months to issue the Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR). Once you receive the AOR, you will finally be given an official application number to link your file to your online IRCC account to check processing times.
Step 4: Providing Biometrics and Medical Exams
About halfway through the 24-month processing timeline, IRCC will send requests for biometrics and medical examinations. Your parents must travel to an approved Visa Application Centre (VAC) or Service Canada location to provide fingerprints. They must also visit a Panel Physician approved by the Canadian government for their mandatory medical checks.
Step 5: Background Checks and Final Approval
The final hurdle involves strict security screening. 👮 If either of your parents has a past legal issue, even something that equates to a minor Summary conviction in Canada, it can trigger an admissibility delay. Once cleared, IRCC issues the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), allowing them to officially land in Canada.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Budgeting for a PGP application is vital, as the costs extend far beyond the basic government filing fees. Below is a breakdown of the typical expenses incurred when sponsoring one parent.
| Fee Type | Description | Estimated Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| IRCC Sponsorship Fee | The baseline fee to assess your eligibility as a sponsor. | $75 |
| Principal Applicant Fee | Processing fee for your parent’s PR assessment. | $545 |
| Right of PR Fee (RPRF) | Mandatory fee for issuing the final PR status. | $575 |
| Biometrics Fee | Cost for fingerprinting and digital photographs. | $85 |
| Lawyer / Law Firm Fees | Optional legal representation for complex applications. | $3,000 – $6,000+ |
You must also budget for third-party costs, such as medical exams, police clearance certificates from their home country, and certified document translations, which can easily add another $500 to $1,000 CAD to your total budget. 💵
How Long Does the Process Take?
Patience is absolutely necessary when dealing with family sponsorship. As of May 2026, IRCC officially estimates that a complete PGP application takes approximately 20 to 24 months to process from start to finish.
However, this timeline assumes your application is perfect. 🕐 If IRCC needs to request additional documents, or if a parent requires further medical testing because of a pre-existing condition, the process can drag on for 36 months or more. While waiting, many families choose to apply for a Super Visa so their parents can live with them in Canada during the lengthy processing period.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happens if my income drops while the application is processing?
You remain financially responsible throughout the entire process. IRCC generally assesses your income based on the 3 years prior to applying. However, the officer retains the legal right to ask for your most recent CRA tax returns right before final approval to ensure you still meet the threshold.
Can my parents visit Canada while waiting for their PR?
Yes. They can apply for a standard Visitor Visa or a Super Visa. A Super Visa is highly recommended as it allows them to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit without needing to constantly renew their status or cross the border.
Do I need to hire a Lawyer / Law Firm for sponsorship?
It is not legally mandatory. You can submit the forms yourself. However, if you have a complicated income structure, dependents from previous marriages, or if a parent has a past criminal record (like an Indictable offence), legal representation is highly advised.
What is the 20-year financial undertaking?
When you sponsor parents, you sign a binding legal contract with the Government of Canada promising to financially support them for 20 years. If they ever claim provincial social assistance during this period, you are legally forced to repay that money to the government.
Does my spouse’s income count towards the MNI?
Yes, but only if your spouse officially signs on as a “Co-signer.” If they do, their CRA Notice of Assessment is combined with yours, making it much easier to reach the financial threshold. They must also be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.
What if a parent passes away during the process?
If the principal applicant passes away, the application generally closes. However, if the surviving parent was listed as a dependent spouse, you must immediately notify IRCC via the Webform so they can adjust the application to make the surviving parent the principal applicant.
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