Bring Parents or Grandparents to Canada

IRCC decides your Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship or Super Visa (Parents and Grandparents) application based on proof of your relationship and your ability to support your family members.

You have to show the people you want to bring are your parents or grandparents, and that you can meet the financial responsibilities tied to sponsorship.

Proof of Relationship

You need documentation that confirms the family connection between you and the person you’re sponsoring.

This means evidence that identifies both parties and shows how you’re related.

Provide:

• Documents confirming your relationship to your parent or grandparent
• Records identifying each family member in the application
• Information about any dependants coming with them
• Proof of your status and residency in Canada

IRCC checks these documents to confirm eligibility. If the relationship is unclear or unsupported, the application can be refused.

Proof of Financial Capacity

You must show you can financially support your parents or grandparents.

Provide complete and accurate income tax documentation.

Submit:

• Required income tax records
• Evidence of your current financial situation
• Any supporting documents that show you can meet sponsorship obligations

Missing required tax documents is a common reason applications get returned or refused.

Complete and Accurate Forms

Your forms themselves are formal declarations.

You must:

1. Sign all required forms before submission. Unsigned forms are incomplete.

2. Provide current contact information so IRCC can reach you. Outdated details can slow things down.

3. Include full details about each sponsored family member, including their relationship to you and any dependants.

Even strong proof of relationship and income won't fix an incomplete application.

How IRCC Assesses Evidence

IRCC reviews your submission as a whole. Officers compare your relationship documents, financial records, and family details for consistency.

If documents conflict or information is missing, your application may be delayed or refused.

Submit organized, consistent, and complete evidence to avoid unnecessary processing issues.

You apply through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship program if you want permanent residence for your parents or grandparents.

If you want them to visit temporarily instead, you might consider the Super Visa (Parents and Grandparents), which is a different process.

Confirm You Are Eligible to Apply

IRCC only invites certain sponsors to apply. For the 2025 intake, you must have submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 and received an invitation.

You must also meet the financial requirements. IRCC checks your income for the three tax years immediately before the date you apply.

If you were a newcomer to Canada for tax purposes, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) may treat your first year of residence differently. This also applies if you lived in Canada for only part of the year or had no Canadian income.

Gather Required Forms and Documents

IRCC requires a complete application package. Missing or incorrect documents can mean your application is returned.

You must include:

• Financial Evaluation for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
• Consent to collect your SIN so IRCC can confirm income with CRA or IMM 5748 (Income Sources for Sponsorship of Parents and Grandparents)
• Document Checklist (IMM 5771)
• All forms and supporting documents listed in Part B of the checklist
• Photos that meet IRCC’s specifications

All medical exams for each applicant must be valid at the same time.

Incomplete applications, missing documents, or photos that don’t meet specifications can cause delays or rejection.

Follow the Application Process Carefully

Use this sequence to prepare and submit your package:

1. Accept Your Invitation – Confirm that IRCC has invited you to apply under the current intake.

2. Complete All Required Forms – Fill out every form listed in the Document Checklist (IMM 5771) accurately and completely.

3. Provide Income Evidence – Submit tax information for the required three-year period and complete the financial evaluation forms.

4. Collect Supporting Documents – Gather civil documents, identity records, and any additional materials listed in Part B of the checklist.

5. Review for Completeness – Check that every signature, document, and photo meets IRCC requirements.

6. Submit the Full Application Package – Send the completed forms and all supporting documents together as instructed by IRCC.

Before you send anything, double-check your package. IRCC only processes complete applications.

When you apply under the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship program, your status doesn’t change while IRCC processes the application. Processing time starts the day IRCC gets your complete application and ends when a decision is made.

IRCC calculates processing times based on your application date and the number of applications received. Times vary by country and may increase if more people apply than Canada can admit that year. If your parents or grandparents live outside Canada and the United States, expect extra mailing time.

During processing:

• Submit a complete application. Missing documents delay review.
• Upload all required forms and the checklist to your online account.
• Provide biometrics if requested. Processing time doesn’t include the time needed to give biometrics.
• Keep your contact information current. Outdated details can cause serious delays.
• Report changes in dependants’ status right away.

If your spouse or common-law partner signed a sponsorship undertaking that’s still in effect, you must declare the number of people included in that undertaking. IRCC checks this when assessing eligibility.

If your parents or grandparents want to visit you while waiting, they can apply for the Super Visa (Parents and Grandparents). This lets them visit their children or grandchildren in Canada while permanent residence processing continues.

Your own residency status matters too. You need to know if you’re considered a resident for tax purposes, since tax obligations and access to benefit and credit payments depend on residency. Update the Canada Revenue Agency if anything changes to avoid incorrect payments.

Monitor your application through your IRCC account. Processing estimates can change and may not reflect non‑routine applications.

You can move your parents or grandparents from temporary status to permanent residence through Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Some families start with the Super Visa (Parents and Grandparents) for extended visits, then pursue permanent residence when eligible.

A Super Visa allows your parent or grandparent to stay in Canada temporarily. Permanent residence, on the other hand, grants long-term settlement and access to programs for newcomers.

When you apply under Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship, you take on a formal undertaking. You must disclose all family members and confirm whether any prior undertakings are in effect or not yet in effect.

IRCC expects complete and consistent documentation. Missing information delays processing.

Key documents typically include:

• Biographical details for you and your relative
• Full family information
• Residence documents
• Required financial records
• Affidavits and supporting declarations

You must also complete and submit the required family sponsorship forms accurately. Errors or omissions can extend processing time.

IRCC publishes an estimated processing time based on the month and year you submit the permanent residence application. This estimate reflects how long it may take to get a final decision, not a guarantee.

Follow these steps in order:

1. Confirm eligibility – Review IRCC criteria for Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship and check you meet financial and family disclosure requirements.

2. Gather documents – Collect identity records, residence proof, financial documents, and any required affidavits.

3. Complete the application package – Fill out all sponsorship and permanent residence forms fully and consistently.

4. Submit to IRCC – Send the complete application as instructed and monitor your file for updates or extra document requests.

While you wait for a decision, your parent or grandparent can remain in Canada under valid temporary status, such as a Super Visa, if that applies.

After permanent residence is approved, your parent or grandparent becomes a newcomer to Canada. They can apply for eligible benefit and credit payments, including related provincial or territorial programs, even before filing their first Canadian tax return.

Keep copies of every document you submit. IRCC may ask for clarification, and organized records let you respond quickly.

When you apply through the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship program or support a Super Visa (Parents and Grandparents) application, you may need to include dependent children.

You must confirm that each child qualifies as a dependant at the time of application. IRCC assesses eligibility based on what you provide.

Dependant Children and Application Timing

If family members apply together, they need to submit their applications at the same time and from the same place to qualify for certain maximum fee limits.

To qualify for the maximum total fee of CA$500, all of the following must apply:

• Family members apply at the same time
• Applications are submitted from the same location
• Each child meets the definition of a dependant

If even one child doesn't qualify as a dependant, IRCC may calculate fees separately.

Work Permits for Included Children

If a dependent child needs a work permit, IRCC charges a separate fee.

This fee applies to each person requesting a work permit, including extensions.

Required Supporting Information

IRCC reviews more than identity documents. You need to keep your records up to date.

Be ready to provide:

• Updated contact information
• Your reasons for bringing your parents or grandparents to Canada
• Legal documents confirming any changes in marital status
• Legal documents related to child custody, if applicable

Incomplete or outdated information can delay processing.

Tax and Residency Considerations

If you are sponsoring under the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship, your financial situation may be reviewed. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) determines who qualifies as a newcomer for tax purposes.

The CRA handles tax matters in Canada. Certain payments managed through the tax system may support your life in Canada, depending on your status.

Keep your tax records organized and make sure your filings are current before submitting applications involving dependent children.