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How to apply

Follow these steps to sponsor your parents or grandparents.

If you live in Quebec, find out how to sponsor your parents and grandparents in Quebec.

  1. Get an invitation to apply

    We randomly select and invite potential sponsors who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 to apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents.

    Don’t start filling out your application unless you’re invited to apply. You can only apply if you get an invitation. If you apply without being invited, we’ll return your application.

    2024 intake Closed

    Starting May 21, 2024, we randomly invited potential sponsors who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 to apply for the 2024 intake.

    We sent 35,700 invitations over the course of approximately 2 weeks. Our goal is to accept up to 20,500 complete applications.

    The last day to apply was August 2, 2024. We’re no longer accepting applications for the 2024 intake.

  2. Apply online using the Permanent Residence Portal

    If you’re invited to apply to sponsor your parents and grandparents, there are 2 applications:

    1. You must apply to become a sponsor.
    2. Your parents and grandparents must apply for permanent residence.

    The principal applicant (the person you’re sponsoring) will submit both the sponsorship application and the permanent residence application online at the same time using the Permanent Residence (PR) Portal. If they’re using a paid representative, the paid representative will use the Representative Permanent Residence (PR) Portal.

    If more than 1 parent or grandparent is applying on their own as a principal applicant, they must create their own portal account and submit their own application.

    Sign in to the PR portal or create an account
    • If you can’t apply online and need accommodations

      If you, the people you’re sponsoring or your representative can’t apply online and need accommodations, including for a disability, you can ask for an alternate format (paper, braille or large print) of the application package.

      To request an alternate format:

      1. Open a new email.
      2. In the body of the email, include
        • the full name of the principal applicant
        • the full name of the sponsor
        • your confirmation number from the 2020 interest to sponsor form
        • your invitation to apply letter sent for the 2024 intake
        • that you’re asking for an alternate format and need accommodations
        • who needs the alternate format
          • the applicant(s)
          • the sponsor (or co-signer, if this applies)
          • your representative
        • if you want the application package in English or French
        • if you’re requesting a paper copy or large print format, if you want us to send it by email or regular mail
          • Include your email address if you want us to send it by email so you can print it yourself. This option will save you the time it would take to mail it to you.
          • Include your mailing address if you want us to mail it to you.
        • if you’re requesting braille format, include your mailing address so we can send it to you by mail
      3. Send your alternate format request as soon as possible to: IRCC.2024PGPALTRequest-2024PGPDemandeALT.IRCC@cic.gc.ca.

      If we approve your request, we’ll send you the application in the format you requested. We’ll also give you instructions and tell you where to send your application.

      To submit your application, you’ll

      • fill out and sign the forms
      • provide all required documents on the document checklist
      • include a copy of the letter we sent approving your request for an alternate format
      • send the application by mail or courier to the mailing address we gave you

      We must receive your application by the deadline in your invitation to apply letter. There are no exceptions.

      For more information, you can call 1-888-242-2100 (from within Canada only).

    • If you want to use an immigration representative

      If you’re a representative, find out how you can create an account and submit applications on behalf of your clients.

      If you want to appoint someone to do business with IRCC on your behalf, you must

      • submit a Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (opens in a new tab) form
      • sign the form electronically and get your immigration representative to do so
      • upload the form with your application

      An immigration representative (an immigration consultant or lawyer) can give you advice and help you with your application for a fee, but they can’t

      • open a portal account on your behalf
      • electronically sign the application for you
      • sign in to the portal using your username and password

      A representative can fill out forms and communicate with IRCC on your behalf through their own account. They can also

      • help you prepare the supporting documents you need to upload
      • answer questions about the forms

      After you read the declaration, you must be the one who types your name and clicks the “submit” button. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed,” according to Canada’s immigration law.

      Helping your parents and grandparents with their application

      You have to ask permission and provide the right forms if you want to

      • prepare or help prepare your parents’ and grandparents’ application and communicate with IRCC on their behalf
      • check on their application status

      Find out how to act as a representative or access your family members’ information.

    Fill out your forms

    Use the Instruction Guide [IMM 5772] to help you fill out the forms properly.

    Forms for the sponsor

    PDF forms you’ll upload

    You (the sponsor) must download and fill out these PDF forms:

    You’ll need to give these forms to the person you’re sponsoring (principal applicant). The person you’re sponsoring will

    • upload the forms to their online application
    • electronically sign the entire application in the portal, including for their family members

    Tips for downloading and filling out the PDF forms

    • Make sure you have Adobe Reader 10 or higher and JavaScript is turned on. If you have trouble downloading, right-click the link and choose “Save target as...”
    • Fill out the form on your computer instead of by hand. It’s easier and reduces mistakes that can cause delays. Printing can reduce the quality of the forms, which can also cause delays.
    • Complete, sign and date your application forms.
    Forms for the person being sponsored

    Forms you’ll fill out in the portal

    You (the person being sponsored) must fill out these digital forms online:

    • Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008]
    • Schedule A – Background/Declaration [IMM 5669]
    • Additional Family Information [IMM 5406]
    • Supplementary Information – Your Travels [IMM 5562]

    Any dependant who is 18 years of age or older must also complete a separate IMM 5669, IMM 5406, IMM 5562 and if applicable, IMM 5476 (whether they’re coming to Canada or not).

    PDF forms you’ll upload

    You (the person being sponsored) must complete these PDF forms, if they apply to you or any of your dependants, and upload them to your online application:

    Tips for downloading and filling out the PDF forms
    1. Make sure you have Adobe Reader 10 or higher and JavaScript is turned on. If you have trouble downloading, right-click the link and choose “Save target as...”
    2. Fill out the form on your computer instead of by hand. It’s easier and reduces mistakes that can cause delays. Printing can reduce the quality of the forms, which can also cause delays.
    3. Complete, sign and date your forms.

    If you need help applying

    If you’re having technical difficulties applying, or if you have questions as you prepare your application, contact us using the web form (opens in a new tab).

    For technical difficulties:
    1. Select Report a technical problem.
    2. Then select your problem.
    3. Under Tell us about yourself
      • If you don’t have a unique client identifier number yet, enter 1111111111.
      • If you haven’t submitted an application yet, and don’t have an application number, enter 0000000.
    4. Under Tell us about your technical issue
      • Type the keyword “PGP2024” on the first line of your message to get a timely response.
      • Explain any problems that you’re having.
      • Upload screenshots from your account that show us both
        • the page and fields where you’re having problems, and
        • any error messages you’re getting

    If you need to upload a number of images, find out how to combine them into 1 document.

    For questions:
    1. Select Ask about a program or service.
    2. Then select Sponsoring a family member.
    3. Under Tell us about your question
      • Type the keyword “PGP2024” on the first line of your message to get a timely response.
      • Share your questions.

    Upload your photos

    The principal applicant and their family members each need to give 1 photo.

    Follow the instructions in your online application to scan and upload both sides of your photo.

    Give proof of your Canadian citizenship

    If you’re a Canadian citizen, to sponsor your parents or grandparents, you’ll have to give us

    How to find your Canadian citizenship information

    To find the date and the number, check the back of your citizenship certificate.

    If you don’t have your citizenship certificate, you can apply urgently for a

    If you can’t get proof of your citizenship by the deadline in your invitation to apply letter, you can include a letter with your application explaining

    • why you don’t have it
    • what steps you’ve taken to get it

  3. Pay your application fees

    Fees: from Error loading fee. Check the fee list.

    You have to pay your fees online(opens in a new tab) .

    Processing fees You need to pay processing fees for you, the people you’re sponsoring and their dependants.
    Right of permanent residence fee You need to pay the right of permanent residence fee before your application is approved.
    Biometrics fee

    In most cases, you’ll pay a biometrics fee when you submit your application. If you don’t, your application may be delayed.

    This fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo.
    Third-party fees

    Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for

    The instruction guide can help you understand which fees apply to you.

  4. Submit your online application

    Check processing times

    Before you submit your application, make sure you

    • answer all questions on the forms
    • electronically sign your application (type your full name exactly as shown on your passport)
    • include your processing fee receipt
    • upload all the supporting documents
      • Upload a copy of your invitation to apply letter for the 2024 intake in the “Required documents” section of your online application

    If your application is incomplete, we’ll send you a letter asking you to submit any missing documents. You’ll have 30 days to follow the instructions in this letter and submit the documents.

    If your application is still incomplete after 30 days, we’ll return the application to you and we won’t process it.

    Get updates about your application

    After you’ve submitted your application, you can track and update your application.

  5. Send us additional information during processing

    After you submit your application, we’ll ask the principal applicant and their family members to submit the following:

    Medical exams

    After you submit your complete application for permanent residence, we’ll send the people you’re sponsoring instructions on how to get their medical exams done.

    Police certificates

    The people you’re sponsoring need to give police certificates if

    • they’re 18 years of age or older
    • they aren’t already a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

    Police certificates are generally valid for 1 year from the date they were issued. Depending on how long it takes us to process your application, we may ask for new certificates.

    Biometrics

    Once you pay the biometrics fee, we’ll send the people you’re sponsoring a letter asking them to give their biometrics (fingerprints and photos) if they’re between the ages of 14 and 79.

    They should get this done as soon as they receive this letter. They have 30 days from the date of the letter to go to a biometric collection site.

    They must bring the letter and their passport with them when they give their biometrics.

    If they can’t give their biometrics within 30 days, use the web form to tell us why they need more time.

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