Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP) 2025 in Ontario: Your Guide to Family Reunification

Reuniting with your parents or grandparents is a cherished goal for many Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Ontario. The Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP) 2025 offers a pathway to bring your loved ones to Canada as permanent residents, enabling them to live, work, and thrive in vibrant communities like Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, or smaller towns like Barrie and Kingston. With significant updates for 2025, understanding the PGP process is crucial for Ontarians, including those from Iran or other diaspora communities, looking to sponsor their family. This comprehensive guide covers PGP 2025 eligibility, key updates, application steps, and alternatives like the Super Visa to help you prepare effectively.

What is the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP) 2025?

The PGP 2025 allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Ontario to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency in Canada. Approved applicants gain access to Ontario’s world-class healthcare system, the right to work without restrictions, and eligibility to apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting residency requirements. This program strengthens family bonds and supports cultural continuity in Ontario’s diverse communities, from Toronto’s multicultural hubs to welcoming towns like Oakville.

For 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced critical changes to the program, impacting how Ontarians can apply. Below, we outline the updates and steps to ensure your family reunification journey is successful.

Key Updates for PGP 2025 in Ontario

IRCC has announced significant changes for the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program 2025, affecting Ontario residents. Here’s what you need to know:

• Limited Application Intake: IRCC will process up to 25,000 applications in 2025, including 10,000 new applications from the 2020 Interest to Sponsor pool and applications carried over from 2024. No new Interest to Sponsor forms will be accepted in 2025, meaning only those who submitted in 2020 are eligible.

• Invitation Process: Starting July 28, 2025, IRCC will issue 17,860 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) over a two-week period to randomly selected sponsors from the 2020 pool.

• Processing Times: PGP applications for Ontario residents typically take 20–24 months to process, compared to 48 months for Quebec due to provincial quotas. Early preparation is essential to meet deadlines.

• Income Requirements: Sponsors must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) based on family size, verified through the past three years of Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notices of Assessment (2021–2023 for 2025). For example, for a family of four, the MNI for 2023 was approximately $59,183.

• 20-Year Financial Undertaking: Sponsors in Ontario must commit to a 20-year undertaking to financially support their parents or grandparents, ensuring they do not rely on government assistance.

These updates reflect IRCC’s strategy to manage backlogs while prioritizing family reunification under the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which has reduced overall immigration targets.

Eligibility for Sponsors in Ontario

To sponsor your parents or grandparents in Ontario, whether you live in Toronto, Brampton, Hamilton, or elsewhere, you must meet these criteria:

•  Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian

•  Be 18 years or older

•  Reside in Canada (provide proof of Ontario residency, e.g., driver’s license or utility bill)

•  Meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the past three tax years (2021–2023)

•  Commit to a 20-year financial undertaking

•  Have submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020 (no new forms accepted for 2025)

For Ontarians from Iran or other communities, a co-signer (e.g., a spouse or common-law partner) can combine their income to meet the MNI threshold. Ensure your CRA documents are up-to-date to avoid delays. Sponsors must also be free of certain criminal convictions, such as crimes causing bodily harm to relatives.

How to Apply for PGP 2025 in Ontario

If you’re invited to apply, follow these steps to ensure a smooth process:

1. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): Check your email (including spam/junk folders) starting July 28, 2025, for an ITA from IRCC. Only 2020 Interest to Sponsor submitters are eligible.

2. Complete Applications: Submit both the sponsorship application (e.g., Financial Evaluation [IMM 5768]) and the permanent residence application for your parents or grandparents together via the Permanent Residence Portal.

3. Gather Documents: Include CRA Notices of Assessment, proof of residency, and family relationship documents (e.g., birth certificates). If applicable, provide a Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] for co-signers.

4. Meet Deadlines: Submit your complete application package by the deadline specified in your ITA. Missing this deadline results in disqualification.

5. Avoid Errors: Errors in forms or missing documents can lead to refusals. Consider hiring an immigration consultant in Ontario for accuracy.

The Super Visa: A Flexible Alternative for Ontario Families

If you’re not eligible for PGP 2025 (e.g., you didn’t submit an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020), the Super Visa is an excellent alternative for Ontarians. This visa allows parents or grandparents to visit Canada for up to 5 years per entry, with multiple entries permitted over a 10-year period. Extensions of up to 2 years are possible without leaving Canada.

Super Visa Requirements:

• Proof of Income: Sponsors must meet a lower income threshold than the PGP, based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30%.

• Private Medical Insurance: Purchase Canadian or approved non-Canadian health insurance covering at least $100,000 for one year. Recent updates have relaxed insurance requirements, making it more accessible.

• Letter of Invitation: Provide a formal letter inviting your parents or grandparents to Canada.

• Ties to Home Country: Applicants must show intent to return after their visit.

The Super Visa is ideal for families in cities like Mississauga or Ottawa, including Iranian Canadians, who want extended family time without the long-term commitment of sponsorship.

Why Sponsor Your Parents or Grandparents in Ontario?

Sponsoring your parents or grandparents to Ontario is about building stronger family connections. Ontario’s diverse communities, from Toronto’s multicultural neighborhoods to London’s tight-knit suburbs, thrive when families stay united. Benefits include:

• World-Class Healthcare: Ontario’s healthcare system ensures sponsored relatives receive quality medical care.

• Economic Opportunities: Permanent residents can work, contributing to local economies in cities like Markham or Windsor.

• Cultural Diversity: Ontario’s inclusive communities, including Iranian cultural hubs in Richmond Hill and North York, make it easy for newcomers to feel at home.

• Family Support: Parents and grandparents support childcare, mental health, and cultural traditions, strengthening family bonds.

How to Prepare for PGP 2025 in Ontario

To maximize your chances of success, follow these steps:

1. Verify Your 2020 Submission: Confirm you submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020. If not, focus on the Super Visa or monitor IRCC for future intakes.

2. Check Financial Eligibility: Review your CRA Notices of Assessment for 2021–2023 to ensure you meet the MNI. Consult a tax professional if needed.

3. Stay Informed: Monitor IRCC announcements for updates on the 2025 invitation process, starting July 28, 2025.

4. Consult Ontario Immigration Experts: Work with licensed immigration consultants or lawyers in Ontario (e.g., in Toronto or Brampton) for tailored guidance.

5. Prepare for Super Visa: If ineligible for PGP 2025, gather documents for a Super Visa, including proof of income and medical insurance.

6. Organize Documentation: Collect proof of residency, income, and family relationships to streamline your application.

Conclusion

The Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP) 2025 offers Ontarians a vital opportunity to reunite with their loved ones, but the pause on new Interest to Sponsor forms means only 2020 applicants can participate. Whether you’re in Toronto, Ottawa, or a smaller Ontario town, understanding the eligibility criteria, income requirements, and alternatives like the Super Visa is key to achieving family reunification. For Iranian Canadians and other communities, working with local immigration experts can simplify the process and boost your chances of success. Ready to bring your parents or grandparents to Ontario? Contact our expert immigration consultants in Toronto, Mississauga, or Brampton today to assess your eligibility, explore the Super Visa, or prepare for PGP 2025. Let’s make family unity in Ontario a reality.