Families hoping to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada 🇨🇦 face new financial hurdles starting July 30, 2025. The Canadian government has raised the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), making it harder for some sponsors to qualify.
The new rules mean sponsors must show higher income for the three tax years before applying—2022, 2023, and 2024. For a sponsor and one parent or grandparent, the 2024 income requirement is now $47,549, up from $44,530 in 2023. For a family of four, the 2024 threshold is $70,972, compared to $66,466 last year. These increases reflect the rising cost of living and are meant to ensure newcomers do not rely on social assistance.
What’s Changed for Sponsors?
The Canadian government updates the Minimum Necessary Income each year based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) figures from Statistics Canada. This adjustment helps match the real costs families face. Sponsors must now meet or exceed these higher income levels for each of the three years before their application.
Here are the new income requirements for 2024, compared to previous years:
| Feature | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income for 2 people | $43,082 | $44,530 | $47,549 |
| Income for 3 people | $52,965 | $54,743 | $58,456 |
| Income for 4 people | $64,306 | $66,466 | $70,972 |
| Income for 5 people | $72,935 | $75,384 | $80,496 |
- 2 people: $47,549 (2024), $44,530 (2023), $43,082 (2022)
- 3 people: $58,456 (2024), $54,743 (2023), $52,965 (2022)
- 4 people: $70,972 (2024), $66,466 (2023), $64,306 (2022)
- 5 people: $80,496 (2024), $75,384 (2023), $72,935 (2022)
- 6 people: $90,784 (2024), $85,020 (2023), $82,259 (2022)
- 7 people: $101,075 (2024), $94,658 (2023), $91,582 (2022)
- Each additional person over 7: add $10,291 (2024), $9,636 (2023), $9,324 (2022)
If a sponsor’s income alone does not meet the MNI, a spouse or common-law partner can co-sign the application. This allows families to combine their incomes to reach the required amount. However, other relatives or friends cannot help meet the threshold.
Long-Term Sponsorship Commitment
Sponsors must sign a 20-year sponsorship undertaking (or 10 years if living in Quebec). This means they promise to support their parents or grandparents financially for that entire period. If the sponsored person receives social assistance during this time, the sponsor must pay it back to the government.
The sponsor’s responsibilities include:
- Providing food, clothing, and housing
- Covering health care costs not paid by provincial insurance
- Ensuring the sponsored person does not need social assistance
If sponsors fail to meet these obligations, they could face legal and financial trouble. The government takes these promises seriously to protect public funds and make sure sponsors are ready for the responsibility.
How the 2025 Application Process Works
The 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program intake opened on July 28, 2025. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is sending invitations to people who submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020. No new forms have been accepted since then, as IRCC is still working through the backlog.
Key points for applicants:
- Up to 10,000 complete applications will be accepted this year.
- Invitations are sent over about two weeks.
- Applicants must submit their sponsorship applications electronically through the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal.
- The deadline for applying is stated in the invitation letter.
- Only those invited by IRCC can apply this year.
For those not invited or unable to meet the new income requirements, the Super Visa program offers another option. The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada 🇨🇦 for up to five years at a time, with multiple entries over a 10-year period. However, it does not grant permanent residency.
Special Rules for Quebec
Quebec has its own rules for family sponsorship. The sponsorship undertaking in Quebec lasts 10 years instead of 20. However, the province has paused new applications for parents and grandparents until June 25, 2026, because it has already reached its maximum number for the period.
Quebec sponsors must:
- Receive an invitation from IRCC
- Get a confirmation letter of eligibility
- Follow provincial steps for sponsorship after federal approval
For more details, Quebec residents can visit the Quebec Immigration – Sponsor Parents and Grandparents page.
Why Did the Canadian Government Raise the Bar?
The Parents and Grandparents Program aims to reunite families while making sure newcomers do not become a burden on social services. By raising the Minimum Necessary Income, the Canadian government hopes to match the real costs of living and protect public funds.
The annual adjustment of income thresholds is based on the LICO, which tracks the minimum income needed to avoid poverty in Canada 🇨🇦. This ensures that sponsors are truly able to support their family members.
Expert Opinions and Community Impact
Some experts warn that higher income requirements may shut out sponsors with modest earnings or larger families. “The increased thresholds will make it harder for many Canadians to bring their parents or grandparents,” said one immigration consultant. “Even with a co-signer, not everyone will qualify.”
The limited number of applications—just 10,000 for 2025—means many families will wait years for a chance to apply. The backlog from 2020 continues to slow the process.
Still, the Super Visa offers a solution for families who cannot meet the new requirements or who are not selected this year. While it does not provide permanent residency, it allows for long visits and family reunification.
What Should Sponsors Do Next?
- Check your income: Make sure you meet the Minimum Necessary Income for 2022, 2023, and 2024.
- Gather documents: Prepare tax returns and proof of income for the last three years.
- Consider a co-signer: If your income is too low, see if your spouse or common-law partner can help.
- Watch for invitations: Only those invited by IRCC can apply this year.
- Explore the Super Visa: If you are not invited or cannot meet the requirements, this may be a good option.
| Government Fee | Additional Costs | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | $47,549 | $44,530 |
| 3 people | $58,456 | $54,743 |
| 4 people | $70,972 | $66,466 |
| 5 people | $80,496 | $75,384 |
| 6 people | $90,784 | $85,020 |
For official information and updates, visit the Canada.ca – Parents and Grandparents Program page.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes reflect the Canadian government’s ongoing efforts to balance family reunification with the need to protect social services. Families should review the new rules carefully and seek help from immigration professionals if needed.
By understanding the updated requirements and planning ahead, sponsors can improve their chances of bringing loved ones to Canada 🇨🇦 under the Parents and Grandparents Program.
Learn Today
Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) → The minimum income sponsors must earn to qualify for family sponsorship in Canada’s program.
Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) → A Canadian immigration pathway allowing citizens to sponsor parents or grandparents for permanent residence.
Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) → Statistics Canada’s threshold marking minimum income to avoid poverty, used to adjust sponsorship income levels.
Super Visa → A special Canadian visa allowing parents and grandparents multiple extended visits up to 10 years without residency.
Sponsorship Undertaking → A legal commitment by sponsors to financially support their family members for 20 years in Canada.
This Article in a Nutshell
Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program increases income thresholds for 2025, requiring sponsors to prove higher earnings for three consecutive years, limiting applications to 10,000. Super Visa offers temporary visits, while Quebec has distinct rules and paused new applications until mid-2026.
— By VisaVerge.com
