Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
Canada introduced this program in order to avoid the repatriation of successful immigrants returning to their home country to take care of elderly parents. In 2017, parents and grandparents sponsorship changed from intake procedure to random draw. For those who are eligible and wish to sponsor their parents and grandparents, they have to submit the online interest to sponsor form on IRCC’s website.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says it will scrap its controversial randomized selection process for its Parents and Grandparents Program in 2019 and revert to a first-come, first-served approach to inviting interested sponsors to apply. The move was announced August 20 in a news release that also said Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) will accept up to 20,000 new sponsorship applications next year through the Parents and Grandparents Program.
Application Eligibility
- At least 18 years old
- Permanent resident or citizen living in Canada
- Not in receipt of government financial assistance for reasons other than a disability
- Must meet minimum necessary income requirement for each of the 3 taxation years immediately preceding the date of application (amount of annual income before tax from Notice of Assessment) to prove that he or she has sufficient income to provide the basic requirements for his or her family members in Canada as well as the persons included in your sponsorship undertaking
- Sign an undertaking promising to provide for the basic requirements of the person being sponsored
- Meet medical examination standard
- No criminal record
Application Processing Time
It takes longer for sponsorship of parents and grandparents
Sponsor and co-signer income requirement
As a sponsor or co-signer, the amount of income required is determined by the number of households per family. For example: If the sponsor and spouse have 1 child and sponsor their parents coming to Canada, there are 7 members in total. Please refer to the table below. If the application is officially invited and submitted in 2018, the income required to meet each of the 3 taxation years immediately preceding the date of your application: $84,631 in 2017; $83,695 in 2016; and $82,091 in 2015. For families with more than 7 members, the amount of income will be added for each additional person. Please refer to the table below.
| Federal Income Table for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship (2017, 2016, 2015) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Size of Family Unit Minimum Income | Minimum Income 2017 | Minimum Income 2016 | Minimum Income 2015 |
| 2 persons | $39,813 | $39,371 | $38,618 |
| 3 persons | $48,945 | $48,404 | $47,476 |
| 4 persons | $59,426 | $58,768 | $57,642 |
| 5 persons | $67,400 | $66,654 | $65,377 |
| 6 persons | $76,015 | $75,174 | $73,733 |
| 7 persons | $84,631 | $83,695 | $82,091 |
| If more than 7 persons, for each additional person, add | $8,616 | $8,522 | $8,358 |