The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is Canada's most oversubscribed family class program and the most unpredictable. IRCC controls intake through an interest-to-sponsor system — potential sponsors submit an expression of interest, and IRCC randomly selects from the pool. There is no guaranteed path from expressing interest to receiving an invitation to apply.
The Two-Stage Process
- 1Interest to Sponsor (ITS): IRCC opens a window (usually January–February) to submit your interest. The window typically stays open for a few days and fills quickly. Being in the pool does not mean you will be selected.
- 2Invitation to Apply (ITA): IRCC randomly selects from the interest pool and sends ITAs to a fixed number of sponsors based on annual targets. Selected sponsors have 60 days to submit a complete application.
Super Visa as a near-term alternative: The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to enter Canada for up to 5 years per visit on a 10-year multiple-entry visa. It does not lead to PR, but it allows extended visits while waiting for PGP selection. Many families use both pathways in parallel.
Practitioner note: The PGP intake window has in recent years closed within hours of opening. Sponsors who are not ready — who discover the window opened after the fact, or who have a technical issue submitting — miss the year entirely. Set calendar reminders for IRCC's typical January timing, check the IRCC website in the first week of January, and have your account and information pre-filled and ready.
Quick Facts
- Selection method:Random lottery
- Processing fee:$1,085/person
- Undertaking:20 years
- Income lookback:3 years (all must qualify)
- ITA response window:60 days (no extension)
- Processing time:20–24 months
A consultation calculates the correct MNI threshold for your family size and assesses whether the Super Visa or PGP is the right strategy.
Schedule your consultationA consultation is required for case-specific advice.