- Parent and grandparent sponsorship carries a much longer financial undertaking period than spousal sponsorship does.
- If a sponsor's own income doesn't meet the threshold on its own, a co-signer — generally the sponsor's spouse or common-law partner, provided they live in the same household — may be…
- - The undertaking period for parent and grandparent sponsorship is long — significantly longer than for spousal sponsorship — and a co-signer who joins the undertaking is generally bound…
Sponsoring a parent or grandparent under Canada's Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) means clearing a Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) test — a requirement that spousal sponsorship doesn't have. If your own income on paper doesn't clear that bar, you may have heard that a co-signer can help. That's true in principle, but it comes with real legal weight that's worth understanding before you ask someone to sign on.
This article explains how the co-signer mechanism generally works, who can typically act as one, and what the commitment actually means.
Why the Income Test Exists for PGP but Not Spousal Sponsorship
Parent and grandparent sponsorship carries a much longer financial undertaking period than spousal sponsorship does. Because that commitment runs for so long, IRCC requires sponsors to show — based on recent Canada Revenue Agency Notices of Assessment — that their income meets a minimum threshold before they're allowed to take it on. This is the Minimum Necessary Income test.
The specific dollar thresholds for MNI vary by family size and are adjusted periodically, so this article won't quote a number — check the current figures directly with IRCC or your lawyer before you calculate whether you qualify.
How a Co-Signer Fits In
If a sponsor's own income doesn't meet the threshold on its own, a co-signer — generally the sponsor's spouse or common-law partner, provided they live in the same household — may be able to combine their income with the sponsor's to meet the requirement together. The exact eligibility criteria for who can act as a co-signer, and how their income is combined and assessed, are set by IRCC and can be refined over time, so confirm the current rules before you plan around this option.
What a co-signer is not
A co-signer is not simply a reference or a character witness. If a co-signer's income is being used to meet the MNI test, they are generally taking on legal responsibility alongside the sponsor for the undertaking — meaning they can be held accountable for supporting the sponsored parent or grandparent if the sponsor is unable to meet that obligation. This is a serious, long-running commitment, not a formality.
What the Co-Signer Should Understand Before Agreeing
- The undertaking period for parent and grandparent sponsorship is long — significantly longer than for spousal sponsorship — and a co-signer who joins the undertaking is generally bound by it for that same period.
- The commitment doesn't end if the sponsor's relationship with the co-signer ends. Because the undertaking is tied to supporting the sponsored person, not to the sponsor's relationship with the co-signer, separation or divorce between the sponsor and co-signer does not automatically release the co-signer from the obligation.
- The commitment doesn't end if the sponsor's finances change. A co-signer takes this on knowing their own financial exposure could increase if the sponsor's circumstances worsen during the undertaking period.
- This is a legal document, not a formality. Anyone considering being a co-signer should understand exactly what they're agreeing to before they sign, ideally after reviewing the undertaking with a lawyer.
Steps to Take If You're Considering a Co-Signer
- Confirm you actually need one. Calculate your own income against the current MNI thresholds for your family size before assuming you need help.
- Confirm the co-signer meets the current eligibility criteria. Not everyone qualifies to co-sign — the relationship to the sponsor and household situation matter.
- Gather both sets of income documentation. Recent Notices of Assessment and supporting income records will typically be required for both the sponsor and the co-signer.
- Have the co-signer read the undertaking in full before agreeing. Don't let them sign based on a summary — the actual document sets out what they're committing to.
- Get legal advice before submitting. A lawyer can confirm whether your combined income clears the current threshold and whether the co-signer arrangement is structured correctly before you file.
Frequently asked questions
Can a sibling or adult child co-sign instead of a spouse or partner?
Co-signer eligibility for PGP applications is generally limited to the sponsor's spouse or common-law partner in the same household, not other relatives. Confirm the current eligibility rules with IRCC or a lawyer before assuming a different family member can fill this role.
If we use a co-signer and later separate, does the sponsored parent lose their status?
No — once a sponsored person becomes a permanent resident, their status doesn't depend on the sponsor and co-signer staying together. What can change is who remains legally responsible for the ongoing undertaking, which is a separate question from the parent or grandparent's status.
Does the co-signer need to live with the sponsored parent or grandparent once they arrive?
The co-signer's obligation is financial support under the undertaking, not a residency requirement with the sponsored person. Speak with a lawyer about how your specific household arrangement is expected to work.
What happens if our combined income still doesn't meet the threshold?
If income still falls short even with a co-signer, the application generally cannot proceed on income grounds in that cycle. It's worth confirming your numbers against current thresholds carefully before you rely on being invited to apply, since PGP intake itself has historically been limited and competitive.
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