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How to apply

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 or grandparents must apply for permanent residence.

Submit both the sponsorship and the permanent residence applications online at the same time.

Check application processing times

The 2023 intake is closed

For the 2023 intake, we invited potential sponsors from the remaining pool of interest to sponsor forms submitted in 2020.

Between October 10 and 23, 2023, we sent 24,200 invitations to apply. The deadline to submit your application has now passed.

We aren’t accepting any more applications for the 2023 intake.

Step 1. Get an invitation to apply

We randomly select and invite potential sponsors who submitted interest to sponsor forms to apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents.

Step 2. Fill out the application online

If you’re invited to apply, the principal applicant (or your representative) must apply online using the

Note: If more than one parent or grandparent is applying on their own as principal applicants, they must create their own portal account and electronically sign their own application.

Don’t start filling out your application unless you’re invited to apply. If you apply without being invited, we

If you live in Quebec, find out the steps to take to sponsor your parents and grandparents in Quebec.

Documents you’ll need for your application

Documents for the sponsor

Before you submit your application

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

The person you’re sponsoring (principal applicant) will

  • upload the forms to their online application
  • electronically sign the entire application, 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.

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

Documents for the person being sponsored

Before you submit your application

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 on file 18 years of age or older must also complete a separate IMM 5669, IMM 5406, IMM 5562 and if applicable, IMM 5476.

You must also complete these PDF forms, if they apply to you or any of your dependant(s), 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.

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

Get your fingerprints and photo taken

You and any dependants between the ages of 14 and 79 need to have your fingerprints scanned and photo taken (biometrics).

After you submit your application, we’ll send you a letter that says you need to give your biometrics. You should get this done as soon as you receive the biometric instruction letter from us. You have 30 days from the date of the letter to go to a biometric collection service point of your choice to give your biometrics.

Note: You have to give your biometrics and pay the fee, even if you gave your biometrics in the past to support a visitor visa, study or work permit application, or a different permanent resident application. If the biometrics fee isn’t paid when you submit your application, you may experience delays.

Photo instructions

You need one photo for each person on your application.

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

While your application is being processed

During processing, we’ll ask you to submit

  • medical exams
  • police certificates
    • You don’t have to send police certificates when you apply. We’ll ask you for them later in the process.
    • You and each family member 18 years of age or older (who isn’t already a Canadian citizen or permanent resident) needs a police certificate.
    • Police certificates are generally valid for 1 year from the date they’re issued.
      • Depending on processing times, we may ask you for new certificates.

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

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 into 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.

If you can’t apply online and require accommodations

If you, your sponsor or representative can’t apply online and require accommodations, including for a disability, you can ask for a paper, braille or large print version of the application package. To do this, send an email as soon as possible to IRCC.2023PGPALTRequest-2023PGPDemandeALT.IRCC@cic.gc.ca and include

  • your full name
  • the full name of the sponsor
  • the confirmation number from the 2020 interest to sponsor form
  • that you’re asking for an alternate format and require accommodations, including for a disability, for either
    • the sponsor
    • the applicants (parents and grandparents)
    • your immigration representative
  • your invitation to apply letter sent in October 2023
  • the language you prefer (English or French)
  • if you’re requesting a paper or large print format, whether you want us to send it by email or regular mail
    • Include your email address if you want to receive the application electronically to print yourself (this will avoid potential mailing delays).
      • We’ll send you links to the application package, which you then can print.
    • Include your mailing address if you want a paper (regular) copy or large print sent to you.

If we approve your request, we’ll reply with instructions and tell you where to send your application. You must then fill out and sign the forms and return them by mail or courier to the mailing address in our message.

You must include a copy of the cover letter we sent approving you to apply using an alternate format with your application.

We must receive your application by the same deadline in your invitation to apply letter for the 2023 intake.

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

If you need help applying

If you’re having technical difficulties applying, or have questions as you prepare your application, contact us using the web form.

For technical difficulties:

  • Under Type of application/enquiry, choose Technical difficulties from the drop-down menu.
  • In the text box, type the keyword “PGP2023” on the first line of your message to make sure you get a timely response.

For questions:

  • Under Type of application/enquiry, choose Sponsorship from the drop-down menu.
  • In the text box, type the keyword “PGP2023” on the first line of your message to make sure you get a timely response.

How to find your Canadian citizenship information

If you’re a Canadian citizen, to sponsor your parents or grandparents, you need

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 for a

If you can’t get proof of your citizenship by the due date indicated on your invitation to apply letter, you can include an explanation letter saying

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

Step 3. Pay your application fees

Fees: from $1,080

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 In most cases, you need to pay the right of permanent residence fee when 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.

Step 4. Submit your online application

Before you submit your application, make sure you

If your application is incomplete, we’ll send you a request letter to submit any missing documents. You’ll have 30 days to submit the missing documents.

Follow the instructions in this letter to submit the missing documentation. If your application is still incomplete after 30 days, we’ll return the application to you and it won’t be processed.

Step 5. Send us additional information during processing

During processing, the person you’re sponsoring must submit their

If the people you’re are sponsoring can’t give their biometrics on time

Book a biometric collection appointment as soon as you receive the biometric instruction letter to avoid processing delays. If the people you’re sponsoring can’t give biometrics within 30 days, use the web form to tell us why they need more time.

Get updates about your application

If you and the person you’re sponsoring meet the eligibility requirements, we’ll mail or email you a request to link your application to an online account so you can get updates on the progress of your application.

Find out how to link your application to your account after you create an account or sign in.

 Having trouble? See the top questions about linking your application in the Help Centre.

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