Reuniting Generations: Canada’s 2025 Parents & Grandparents Sponsorship Opens

Nina A
Sep 19
2 min read

“Three generations of a family smiling together indoors — a young woman, a middle-aged man, and an elderly grandmother — symbolizing family reunification in Canada.”

Canada’s 2025 Parents & Grandparents Sponsorship spotlights: Canada has reaffirmed its commitment to family reunification by reopening the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP) for 2025. For families separated across continents, this brings renewed hope.

As an immigration lawyer, I’ve seen the emotional toll of these long waits. Below, I’ll guide you through the new requirements, deadlines, and alternatives—and how to navigate them wisely.

2025 PGP Reopens with Limited Invitations

Start date: July 28, 2025
Invitations: IRCC is issuing 17,860 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to those who submitted an Interest to Sponsor form back in 2020 and have not yet received an invitation.
Target: The government aims to secure 10,000 completed sponsorship applications during this intake.

👉 Tip: If you submitted your form in 2020 and haven’t received an invitation, monitor your email inbox—including spam/junk folders—daily.

Increased Minimum Income Requirements

To be eligible for sponsorship under the 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program, applicants must meet higher income thresholds.

For example:

2 people (sponsor + 1 parent): CAD 47,549
3 people: CAD 58,456
4 people: CAD 70,972
(income increases with family size)

👉 Sponsors may combine their income with a spouse or common-law partner to qualify.

This increase of roughly CAD 3,000 compared to last year means families should prepare updated financial documents.

What to Do If You’re Invited

If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA):

Apply online through the Permanent Residence Portal (or Representative Portal) with professional help.
Verify eligibility criteria, including income requirements, medical exams, and police clearances.
Deadline: Applications must be submitted by October 9, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Alternatives If You Weren’t Invited

If you don’t receive an ITA, you still have options. The Parents & Grandparents Super Visa remains a strong alternative:

Allows parents/grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 10 years.
Each visit can last up to 5 years.
Extensions are possible from inside Canada.

Expert Insight

The reopening of the PGP 2025 offers a long-awaited opportunity to bring families together—but it comes with stricter income requirements and tight timelines.

Sponsors should:

Prepare documents early.
Monitor emails closely.
Act quickly once invited.

Actionable Steps for Sponsors

✅ Check your email (including spam/junk) daily starting July 28, 2025.
✅ Gather proof of income (2022–2024).
✅ Arrange supporting documents (medical, identity, financial).
✅ Consider the Super Visa if you don’t receive an invitation.

(Canada’s 2025 Parents & Grandparents Sponsorship)