Canada’s PGP 2025 Is Now Open, Sending 17,860 PR Invitations

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) just kicked off its 2025 intake, and it’s dropping a whopping 17,860 invitations to apply for permanent residency.

If you’re looking forward to bringing your loved ones to Canada or just wondering what this massive wave of invitations means for the country, you’ve landed in the right spot.

This isn’t some boring government press release—it’s your go-to guide for everything Canada PGP 2025, packed with step-by-step tips and answers to the questions buzzing around.

Whether you’re all about family reunions or side-eyeing Canada’s immigration policies, let’s unpack what these 17,860 invitations are all about and how you can jump in—or at least stay in the know.

What’s the Big Deal with Canada’s PGP?

Imagine having your closest family by your side in Canada—sharing holiday dinners, building memories, or just knowing they’re settled nearby.

That’s the heart of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).

It lets Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency, opening doors to healthcare, work rights, and even a path to citizenship down the road.

It’s a huge opportunity, but it’s also one of the toughest tickets to snag in Canada’s immigration system.

The PGP is crazy competitive—way more people want in than there are spots. To keep it fair, Canada runs a lottery system, pulling from a pool of folks who expressed interest years ago.

For 2025, the immigration, refugees, and citizenship Canada (IRCC) is sending out 17,860 invitations to hit a target of 10,000 complete applications, all from those who submitted interest forms back in 2020.

Why so many invitations for fewer applications? Not everyone who gets invited follows through, so IRCC casts a wide net to meet their goal.

Today, July 28, 2025, the process kicks off, with invitations hitting inboxes over the next two weeks.

If you’re one of those 2020 hopefuls, this could be your moment. If not, don’t sweat it—we’ll cover alternatives like the Super Visa later in this article.

Let’s dive into what you need to know to make this work—or understand why it’s stirring up so much chatter.

Who Is Eligible For Canada’s PGP?

Before you start picturing family reunions, let’s make sure you and your loved ones qualify.

The PGP has strict rules for both the sponsor (you) and the people you’re bringing over.

Here’s the full scoop:

Are You Eligible to Sponsor?

To be the sponsor, you’ve got to check these boxes:

• • Canadian Status: You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
    • You also need to live in Canada now and plan to stay during the application process—no skipping off to another country halfway through.

• • Age Requirement: You’ve got to be at least 18 years old. No exceptions, even for the most responsible teens.
  • Financial Proof: You need to show you can support your family, including those you’re sponsoring. This means meeting the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the last three tax years (2022, 2023, and 2024).
    • The MNI is based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30%, adjusted for your family size—you, your dependents, and the people you’re sponsoring. Click here for exact numbers, as they update annually.
  • The Long-Term Commitment: You’ll sign a 20-year undertaking (10 years in Quebec) to financially support your sponsored family, ensuring they don’t rely on government assistance. That’s a serious promise, so be ready.

Smart Move: If your income’s a bit short, you can add your spouse or common-law partner as a co-signer.

Their income counts toward the MNI, which can be a lifesaver.

Who Can You Sponsor For PR?

The people you’re sponsoring must:

• Be your biological or adopted parents or grandparents. This program is laser-focused—no siblings, cousins, or other relatives allowed.
• Pass medical examinations to prove they’re not a health risk or a burden on Canada’s healthcare system. These exams are done by IRCC-approved doctors.
• Clear background and security checks to confirm they’re admissible—no serious criminal history allowed.

Good news: there’s no upper age limit. Whether your loved ones are in their 50s or 90s, they’re eligible as long as they pass those checks.

Meeting these criteria isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about proving you can support your family and that they’re ready to join Canada’s diverse fabric.

Get this right, and you’re one step closer to making it happen.

Your Step-by-Step Guide for Applying

Got an Invitation to Apply (ITA)? That’s your golden ticket! You’ve got 60 days to submit a complete application through the Permanent Residence Portal, so let’s move fast.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to nailing it:

Step 1: Keep an Eye on Your Email

• When: Invitations started today, July 28, 2025, and will roll out over the next two weeks.
• Who’s Eligible: Only those who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 and haven’t been invited before are in the pool. It’s a random draw, so luck plays a big role.
• What to Do: Check the email you used in 2020—don’t skip the spam or junk folders. The ITA will spell out your next steps and that strict 60-day deadline.

Quick Note: Missed the 2020 interest form? You’re out for this round, but future intakes or the Super Visa might be your ticket.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents:

This is where the prep work gets real. You’re submitting two parts: your sponsorship application and the permanent residence application for your family.

Here’s what you need:

For You (the Sponsor):

• Proof of Status: Citizenship certificate, permanent resident card, or Indian Status card.
• Income Documents: Notices of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for 2022, 2023, and 2024 to prove you meet the MNI.
• Relationship Proof: Birth certificates, adoption papers, or marriage certificates showing your connection to your sponsored family.
• Co-Signer Documents (if applicable): Your spouse’s income records and their signed agreement to co-sign.

For Your Sponsored Family:

• Identification: Valid passports and travel documents.
• Relationship Proof: Birth or marriage certificates linking them to you.
• Police Certificates: From every country they’ve lived in for 6+ months since turning 18. These can take weeks, so don’t delay.
• Medical Exams: Results from an IRCC-approved panel physician, done after you get the ITA.

Pro Tip: Start collecting these ASAP. Police certificates from some countries can take a month, and medical exams need scheduling. Don’t get caught scrambling on day 59!

Step 3: Fill Out the Forms

Head to the IRCC website for the latest forms. All these forms will only open in Adobe once you download them. You’ll need:

• • Document Checklist — Sponsor [IMM 5771]
  • Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking [IMM 1344]
    • You, your co-signer (if this applies) and the person you’re sponsoring must digitally sign this form.
  • Financial Evaluation for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship [IMM 5768]
  • Income Sources for the Sponsorship of Parents and Grandparents [IMM 5748]
  • Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409]
  • Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409]
  • Statutory Declaration of Severance of a Common-Law Union [IMM 5519]
  • Details of Military Service [IMM 5546]
  • Details of Government Employment (PDF, 2.57 MB)

• Details of Police Service (PDF, 2.57 MB)

Fill these out carefully and completely. Typos, missing signatures, or blank fields can sink your application faster than you can say “maple leaf.”

Step 4: Pay the Fees

You’ll pay online when you submit. Here’s the breakdown (as of 2025, confirm on IRCC’s site):

• Sponsorship Fee: $75
• Processing Fee: $475 per adult
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee: $500 per adult
• Biometrics Fee: $85 per person or $170 per family

Total starting cost: around $1,205, but check the IRCC fee page for updates. Nobody wants a surprise bill.

Step 5: Hit Submit

• • Where: Submit online via the Permanent Residence Portal. If you’re using a paid immigration rep, they’ll use the Representative Portal.
  • Who Submits: The principal applicant (your parent or grandparent) submits both the sponsorship and permanent residence applications together.

• Deadline: Within 60 days of your ITA. Miss it, and you’re out—no do-overs.

Smart Hack: Save documents as PDFs, make sure they’re clear, and name them logically (e.g., “Passport_JohnDoe.pdf”). A blurry scan or messy upload could mean a returned application.

Red Flags to Avoid Refusal: What Might Go Wrong After You Apply

You’ve hit submit—congrats! But don’t pop the champagne just yet. IRCC’s review process is thorough, and plenty of things can trip you up.

Here are the top red flags that could lead to refusal and how to steer clear:

1. Incomplete or Incorrect Documents

• • What Goes Wrong: Missing a form, uploading a blurry scan, or forgetting a signature can get your application returned or refused. IRCC doesn’t mess around with incomplete submissions.
  • How to Avoid: Use the IRCC checklist from the application package. Triple-check every form and document before submitting. Ensure PDFs are legible and under file size limits (usually 4MB). If something’s missing, IRCC may ask for it, but don’t count on second chances—get it right the first time.

2. Failing the Income Test

• What Goes Wrong: If your income (or combined income with a co-signer) doesn’t meet the MNI for 2022, 2023, and 2024, your application’s toast. IRCC verifies this with your CRA Notices of Assessment.
• How to Avoid: Calculate your MNI early using IRCC’s tables. If you’re close but not quite there, add a co-signer. If you’re nowhere near, consider boosting your income (e.g., a side gig) before a future intake.

3. Medical Inadmissibility

• What Goes Wrong: If your sponsored family member has a condition deemed a public health risk (e.g., active tuberculosis) or likely to cause “excessive demand” on healthcare (e.g., costly chronic conditions), they could be refused. IRCC’s threshold for “excessive demand” is about $25,000/year over five years.
• How to Avoid: Schedule medical exams with an IRCC-approved panel physician as soon as you get your ITA. If there’s a known health issue, consult an immigration lawyer to explore humanitarian exemptions or mitigation strategies.

4. Criminal Inadmissibility

• • What Goes Wrong: A serious criminal record (e.g., felonies or recent convictions) can make your family member inadmissible. Even minor issues, if not properly disclosed, can raise red flags.

• How to Avoid: Ensure police certificates are complete and accurate for every country lived in for 6+ months since age 18. If there’s a past conviction, disclose it upfront and consider legal advice to prove rehabilitation (e.g., pardons or time elapsed).

5. Misrepresentation

• What Goes Wrong: Lying or omitting key details—like relationships, income, or past immigration applications—can lead to refusal and a five-year ban from applying. IRCC cross-checks everything.
• How to Avoid: Be brutally honest on all forms. Double-check details like dates, addresses, and family ties. If you’re unsure about something (e.g., a past visa refusal), disclose it or seek professional help.

6. Missing the Deadline

• What Goes Wrong: Submitting after the 60-day ITA deadline is an automatic no-go. IRCC doesn’t offer extensions.
• How to Avoid: Start prepping the moment you get your ITA. Set calendar reminders for key tasks (e.g., medical appointments, document uploads) and aim to submit at least a week early.

7. Changes in Circumstances

• • What Goes Wrong: If your situation changes during processing—like moving abroad, losing income, or a family member’s status changing (e.g., marriage)—it could jeopardize your application.

• How to Avoid: Notify IRCC immediately of any changes via their web form. If your income drops, provide updated proof or add a co-signer. If you move, confirm you still meet residency requirements.

Key Takeaway: IRCC’s looking for reasons to say yes, but they’re strict about the rules. Treat your application like a job interview—dot every i, cross every t, and stay transparent to avoid these red flags.

What Happens After You Apply?

Once your application’s in, here’s what’s next:

1. 1. Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR): IRCC confirms they’ve got your application via email or the portal. You’re officially in the system!
   2. Completeness Check: IRCC will scan for missing documents or errors. If something’s off, IRCC will ask you to fix it fast—don’t sleep on those requests.
   3. Assessment:
      • IRCC will verify your eligibility as a sponsor (status, income, undertaking).
      • Your family gets checked for medical and security clearance.

1. The Decision:
   • Approved: Your loved ones get a permanent resident visa and instructions to move to Canada. Time to celebrate!
   • Refused: You’ll get a letter explaining why (e.g., missing docs, inadmissibility). You might appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division or reapply in a future round, depending on the issue.

Processing Times

• Outside Quebec: About 24 months.
• Quebec: Closer to 48 months, due to Quebec’s separate immigration targets.

Delays can happen—think global disruptions or application surges—so keep your contact info updated with IRCC to stay in the loop.

Patience is key, but a solid application can speed things along.

Alternative To PGP

Didn’t score one of those 17,860 invitations? Don’t give up. The Super Visa is a fantastic way to keep your loved ones close without the permanent residency commitment.

Here’s the rundown:

• What It Is: A multiple-entry visa lets your parents or grandparents stay up to 5 years per visit and extend after that for an additional 2 years, valid for 10 years.
• Requirements:
  • Proof of your relationship (birth or marriage certificates).
  • Private medical insurance ($100,000+ coverage for at least one year).
  • You are meeting the MNI (same as PGP), but only for the previous one year instead of 3 years.
  • Medical exams for them, if required.
• Why It’s Awesome: Processing takes months, not years, making it a faster way to bring family over for extended stays.

The Super Visa doesn’t lead to permanent residency, but it’s perfect for long visits or as a bridge while you wait for future PGP rounds.

Why Consider It?: If you’re not in the 2020 pool, this is your best bet to keep family close without the long wait. Plus, it’s less paperwork-heavy than the PGP.

However, keep in mind super visa holders are not authorized to work in Canada.

Top 12 Tips for a Rock-Solid Application

Want to boost your odds? Here’s how to make your PGP application shine:

1. 1. Act Fast: The 60-day ITA deadline is non-negotiable. Start prepping the moment you get the email.
   2. Complete Everything: Missing a form or document is the fastest way to get rejected. Use IRCC’s checklist religiously.
   3. Nail the Income: Verify your MNI with CRA documents. A co-signer can save you if you’re short.
   4. Start Documents Early: Police certificates and medical exams take time—kick things off right away.
   5. Check for Errors: Typos, missing signatures, or wrong dates can tank your application. Review twice.
   6. Organize Your Files: Save documents as clear PDFs with names like “Passport_JohnDoe.pdf” to avoid confusion.
   7. Keep Copies: Back up everything you submit, just in case IRCC needs clarification.
   8. Update IRCC: Moving or changing your email? Notify IRCC via their web form to stay in the loop.

1. Use Authorized Help: If your case is complex, hire an IRCC-authorized consultant or lawyer—avoid shady “experts.”
2. Stay Transparent: Don’t hide past visa refusals or minor convictions. Honesty is your best bet.
3. Submit Early: Aim to upload your application a week before the deadline to avoid last-minute glitches.
4. Be Patient: Processing takes time, but a well-prepped application keeps you ahead of the curve.

The Canada PGP 2025 is a massive moment—whether you’re one of the 17,860 invited to apply, holding out for a future chance, or just curious about what the event means for Canada’s immigration landscape.

Starting today, July 28, 2025, those invitations are hitting inboxes, and for those in the 2020 pool, it’s go-time.

Check your email, gather your documents, and submit within that 60-day window. Not invited? The Super Visa is a great way to keep family close while you wait for the next round.

This program’s a lightning rod—some see it as a heartwarming chance to reunite families, others as a strain on housing and services.

Wherever you land, the facts are clear: 24,500 admissions are planned, and the process is no cakewalk.

Stay sharp with the IRCC website for updates, and share this guide with anyone who needs it. Family’s worth it, and so is knowing what’s up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Got questions? We’ve got answers to the top 12 queries about the Canada PGP 2025: