Sponsor your parents and grandparents: How to apply

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.

You must submit your application by the deadline set out in your invitation letter.

For the 2022 process, we invited people from the remaining pool of potential sponsors who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020.

Step 1. Get an invitation to apply

We randomly select and invite potential sponsors to apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents. For the 2022 intake, we sent 23,100 invitations to apply in order to reach our goal of accepting up to 15,000 complete applications.

Step 2. Apply online

Don’t start filling out your application unless you’re invited to apply to the 2022 process. The deadline to apply has now passed. If you applied, but you were not invited to apply to the 2022 process, we

• will reject your application and
• won’t refund the sponsorship application processing fee

If you can’t apply online and require accommodations

If you, your sponsor or representative cannot 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.2022PGPALTRequest-2022PGPDemandeALT.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 alternative format and require accommodations, including for a disability, for either the sponsor, the applicants (parents and grandparents), or your immigration representative
• your invitation to apply letter sent in October 2022
• 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 paper application electronically to print yourself (this will avoid potential mailing delays) or
  • include your mailing address if you want a paper copy sent to you
  • if you ask for the application by email, we’ll send you links to the application package, which you then can print

Once we get your request, if we approve, 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 alternative format with your application.

We must receive your application by the same deadline shown on your invitation to apply letter for the 2022 process.

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

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

Forms for the sponsor to fill out

The sponsor must download and fill out these PDF forms

• Document Checklist — Sponsor [IMM 5771] (PDF, 1 MB)
• Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking [IMM 1344] (PDF, 588.96 KB) Important: You, your co-signer (if applicable) and the person you’re sponsoring must sign this form electronically.
• Financial Evaluation for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship [IMM 5768] (PDF, 1.54 MB)
• Income Sources for the Sponsorship of Parents and Grandparents [IMM 5748] (PDF, 1.53 MB), if this applies.
• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] (PDF, 636.51 KB), if this applies. Important: You, your partner and the person who administers the declaration must all sign and date this form by hand.

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 application 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
• Complete, sign and date your application forms

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

Forms for the person being sponsored (principal applicant)

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]

Please note that 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 to your online application

• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] (PDF, 0.78 MB)
• Statutory Declaration of Severance of a Common-Law Union [IMM 5519] (PDF, 1.84 MB)
• Details Of Military Service [IMM 5546] (PDF, 1.18 MB)

Using 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] (PDF, 648.31 KB) form
• sign it electronically and get your immigration representative to do so also
• upload it 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 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.

Details for the person being sponsored (principal applicant)

Sign in or create a Permanent Residence Portal account or open a new session.

Get your fingerprints and photo taken

You and any dependents between 14 and 79 years old, need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) for every application for permanent residence you submit, even if you gave your biometrics in the past and they’re still valid.

• You must pay the biometric fee when you submit your application. Otherwise, you may experience delays.
• Get this done as soon as you get the letter from us that tells you to give biometrics
• You have 30 days to do this from the date on the letter.

Biometrics fee

• Individual applicant: CAD $85
• Families applying at the same time: maximum total fee of CAD $170
• Groups of 3 or more performing artists and their staff who apply for work permits at the same time: maximum total fee of $CAD 255

Photo specifications

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.

Technical issues

If you’re having technical issues applying, contact us using the web form

• under type of application/enquiry, choose technical difficulties from the drop-down menu
• in the text box, type the keyword “PGP2022” on the first line of your message to make sure you get a fast response

Step 3. Pay your application fees

In most cases, your fees will include:

• processing fees for you, the people you’re sponsoring and their dependants
• the Right of Permanent Residence Fee
• the biometrics fee

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

Biometrics fee

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

• your medical exam
• a police certificate

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

• 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 2022 intake under the section “other” in your online application

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

Follow the instructions in the request letter you received for details on how to submit the missing documentation. After 30 days, if your application is still incomplete, we will return the application to you and your application will not be processed.

Step 5. Send us additional information during processing

During processing, we’ll ask the person you’re sponsoring to submit their

• medical exams
• police certificates
  • You don’t have to include police certificates when you apply. We’ll ask you for them later in the process.
  • You need a police certificate for the people being sponsored and each family member 18 or older (who isn’t already a Canadian citizen or permanent resident).
  • 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.
• biometrics
  • When the biometrics fee is paid, we’ll send your family members a letter asking them to give their biometrics.
  • Your family members must show this letter when they give their biometrics.
  • They have 30 days to give their biometrics in person at their closest collection point.

We’ll send instructions and let your family members know how much time they have to send us this information.

You must tell us of any change to your situation, such as:

• birth or adoption of children
• marriage or divorce
• death of a principal applicant or dependant

Step 6. Get updates about your application online

If you and the person you are sponsoring meet the eligibility requirements, we’ll mail or email you a request to link your application to an online account.

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.