Can I sponsor my parents or grandparents to come to Canada?

Yes. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence under the federal Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Because immigration is federal, the program rules apply uniformly across Canada, including for Ontario residents.

Access to the PGP has been managed through an annual intake process — IRCC has in recent years used randomized draws and invitation rounds to manage the volume of applications. The number of invitations issued each year is set by the federal government and can vary significantly. In years when the program is opened, interested sponsors submit an expression of interest (or submit an application for invitation depending on the intake model in use), and those selected then receive an invitation to apply.

The PGP requires sponsors to meet minimum income thresholds — you must demonstrate income above a set low-income cut-off (LICO) for the three tax years before your application. This is more demanding than spousal sponsorship, which has no minimum income requirement. The income threshold depends on the size of your family unit, including those you are proposing to sponsor. An immigration lawyer can help you assess whether you qualify and how to position your application when the next intake opens.