A separate stream with periodic intake and its own income requirement.
The Parent and Grandparent Program lets citizens and permanent residents sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence. It works quite differently from spousal sponsorship, and the differences are the reason most of the frustration around it exists.
The first is that it is not open continuously. IRCC opens intake periodically, often through an interest-to-sponsor process where potential sponsors submit their details and a limited number are invited to apply. You cannot simply file whenever you are ready, which means being prepared before a window opens matters more than moving quickly once it does.
The second is money. Unlike spousal sponsorship, this stream carries a minimum income requirement, generally assessed over several consecutive tax years and evidenced through Canada Revenue Agency documents rather than payslips. Because the Super Visa exists as a long-stay visitor route, many families use it while waiting for an intake they may or may not be invited into.
| Intake | Periodic, not continuous — often via interest-to-sponsor |
|---|---|
| Income requirement | Yes, generally over several consecutive tax years |
| Evidenced by | Canada Revenue Agency documents |
| Undertaking | Longer than for a spouse or child |
| Common alternative | The Super Visa, a long-stay visitor route |
What an application on this route usually involves. Not a checklist that guarantees anything — IRCC sets the requirements, and they change.
Whether it fits you is what a consultation is for. This page cannot answer that and does not try to.
Windows open with limited notice and close on quota. Documents, translations and CRA records should be ready in advance.
The requirement is generally assessed across consecutive years. A single weak year can disqualify an otherwise comfortable sponsor.
It is a visit, not permanent residence. It is a good interim answer and a poor substitute if permanent status is the goal.
The commitment for parents and grandparents runs longer than for a spouse or child, and it is enforceable.
Intake is periodic. IRCC opens it at intervals, often through an interest-to-sponsor process with a limited number of invitations, so the application window is not always available.
Generally across several consecutive tax years, and evidenced through CRA documents. Payslips and bank statements alone are usually not what is being asked for.
A spouse or partner can generally co-sign, which combines income. It also makes them jointly responsible for the undertaking, which is a real commitment rather than a formality.
The Super Visa is the usual alternative for time together. It is a long-stay visit rather than permanent residence, with its own insurance and income conditions.
That is the one question this page cannot answer. Start with the free assessment, then bring your situation to a consultation with the RCIC-IRB.
Start Your AssessmentBook a paid consultationThis page is general information. It is not an assessment of your eligibility, and nothing on it is immigration advice for consideration. Sponsoring Parents and Grandparents matters at ZIMMR are advised on directly by Irshad Osman, RCIC-IRB.
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