If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you want to sponsor your parents to come and live with you in Canada, the process of parents sponsorship is quite easy when you follow the guides in the article. And parents sponsorship allows parents to reunite with their children and enjoy the benefits of living in Canada.

Here, we’ll explore the requirements for parents sponsorship in Canada, the pros and cons of sponsoring your parents, and tips for a successful application.

Requirements, Pros and Cons, and Tips for Success

The Parents sponsorship in Canada is a process that provides you an opportunity for your families to be reunited in Canada and enjoy the benefits of living there. However, it can be a complex and lengthy process that requires careful planning and preparation. By understanding the requirements, pros and cons, and tips for success, you can make an informed decision about whether parents sponsorship is the right choice for your family.

Requirements for Parents Sponsorship in Canada

To sponsor your parents for Canadian immigration, you must meet the following requirements:

You must be at least 18 years old.
You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
You must prove that you have enough income to support your parents and any other family members you are sponsoring.
You must sign an agreement with the Canadian government promising to provide financial support for your parents for a specified period of time.
Your parents must pass medical, criminal, and background checks.

Pros and Cons of Sponsoring Your Parents to Come to Canada

Pros:

Reunification with family: Parents sponsorship provides an opportunity for families to be reunited and live together in Canada.
Improved quality of life: Parents can benefit from Canada’s high quality of life, healthcare system, and social programs.
Cultural enrichment: Parents can experience and appreciate Canadian culture, and contribute to the diversity of Canadian society.
Tax benefits: As a sponsor, you may be eligible for tax benefits.

Cons:

Financial responsibilities: Sponsors are responsible for providing financial support for their parents for a specified period of time, which can be a significant financial burden.
Lengthy application process: The parents sponsorship application process can take a long time to complete, and there can be delays and additional requirements.
Uncertainty: There is no guarantee that your parents will be approved for Canadian immigration, and if they are denied, it can be a disappointment and a setback for the family.

Tips for a Successful Parents Sponsorship Application in Canada

Here are some tips to increase your chances of success in sponsoring your parents to come to Canada:

Gather all required documents and information before starting the application process.
Pay attention to deadlines and respond promptly to requests for additional information or documentation.
Seek professional assistance if needed, such as a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.
Ensure that your parents meet the medical, criminal, and background requirements.
Be prepared to provide evidence of your financial ability to support your parents.

Alternatives to Parents Sponsorship in Canada

If you’re unable to sponsor your parents for Canadian immigration, there are other options available:

Super visa: A super visa allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to two years at a time.
Temporary foreign worker program: If your parents have the necessary skills and qualifications, they may be eligible to work in Canada temporarily.
Express Entry: If your parents have skills and qualifications that are in demand in Canada, they may be eligible to apply for Canadian immigration through the Express Entry program.

How much money do you need to sponsor parents in Canada?

You must earn at least a certain amount, referred to as the Minimum Necessary Income, in order to sponsor parents in Canada (MNI). Although, the MNI is determined by the total number of sponsored family members, including your parents, as well as the size of your family. And this changes depending on the location of the sponsor and the size of the family and is updated yearly by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

As of 2022, the MNI for sponsoring two persons (such as a parent or grandparent) is CAD $32,899 if you live outside Quebec, or CAD $41,048 if you live in Quebec. However, these are just the minimum income requirements and sponsors may need to demonstrate that they have additional income or assets to support their parents.

It is important to note that in addition to you meeting the income requirements, sponsors are also required to sign a sponsorship agreement with the Canadian government. Which outlines their financial obligations and responsibilities towards their parents. The sponsorship agreement is a legal contract that requires sponsors to provide financial support to their parents for a specified period of time, usually up to 20 years, depending on the age of the sponsored person and the length of time they have lived in Canada.

Overall, your income, assets, and the number of family members you are sponsoring will determine how much money you need to sponsor your parents in Canada. To find out if you qualify for parent sponsorship in Canada and to make sure you do, it’s important to speak with a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.

How long does it take to sponsor parents to Canada?

The processing time for sponsoring parents to Canada can vary depending on a number of factors, including the number of applications received, the completeness of the application, and the complexity of the case.

As of September 2021, the estimated processing time for the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program was 20-24 months. However, it is important to note that processing times can change without notice, and individual cases may take longer or shorter than the estimated processing time.

To help reduce processing times, the Canadian government has introduced several measures, such as increasing the number of applications accepted each year, improving the application intake process, and introducing new digital tools to help speed up processing.

Importantly, you need to note that the processing time can be further delayed if there are any issues with your application, such as missing documents, incomplete information, or discrepancies in the information provided. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the application is complete and accurate and to submit all required documents at the time of application.

How do I qualify to sponsor my parents in Canada?

You must meet certain eligibility requirements established by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in order to sponsor your parents’ immigration to Canada (IRCC). The following are some essential conditions for eligibility:

Age: You must be at least 18 years old to sponsor your parents.
Status: You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Income: You must meet the minimum income requirement, known as the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), to prove that you have the financial means to support your parents.
Family size: The size of your family unit will be considered when determining your MNI.
Sponsorship agreement: You must sign a sponsorship agreement with the Canadian government, which is a legally binding contract that outlines your financial obligations and responsibilities towards your parents.
Criminal record: You must not have a criminal record, and you must not be in default of any previous sponsorship agreements.
Medical exam: You and your parents must undergo a medical exam to ensure that you are admissible to Canada.

Even if you fulfill all of the aforementioned requirements, your parents still need to pass background checks and medical exams in order to be sponsored to move to Canada.

The Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program is a highly competitive program, and the number of applications accepted each year is limited. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your application is complete and accurate and that you submit it as soon as possible during the annual intake period.

It is strongly advised that you work with a qualified immigration consultant or attorney to help you with the parent sponsorship procedure as they can offer insightful advice and assist you in avoiding common blunders that could result in delays or rejections.

Is parents sponsorship open in Canada?

As of March 2023, the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program for 2023 has not yet been officially announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). However, IRCC usually opens the program for a limited period of time each year, during which Canadian citizens and permanent residents can submit an expression of interest to sponsor their parents or grandparents.

In recent years, IRCC has typically announced the intake period in January or February and opened the program for a period of 30 days. However, it is important to note that the specific details of the 2023 intake period have not yet been announced.

It is recommended that you regularly check the IRCC website and social media channels for updates on the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program, as well as consult with a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer for guidance on the sponsorship process.

Can I Bring My Parents To Canada On Work Permit?

It is not possible to bring your parents to Canada on a work permit, as the work permit is a temporary visa that is issued to individuals who have a job offer from a Canadian employer. To bring your parents to Canada, you would need to sponsor them through the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program or another eligible immigration program.

Under the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents or grandparents to come to Canada as permanent residents. To be eligible to sponsor your parents, you must meet certain requirements, including being at least 18 years old, living in Canada, and meeting the minimum necessary income requirement.

Benefits For Sponsored Parents In Canada

There are several benefits that sponsored parents in Canada can enjoy, including:

Permanent residency: Sponsored parents become permanent residents of Canada, which allows them to live, work, and study in Canada indefinitely.
Access to healthcare: As permanent residents, sponsored parents are eligible for publicly funded healthcare services in Canada, including access to doctors, hospitals, and other medical services.
Education: Sponsored parents can enroll in educational programs and courses offered in Canada, including language classes, college or university programs, and vocational training.
Employment: Sponsored parents are eligible to work in Canada once they obtain their permanent residency status, which allows them to contribute to the Canadian economy and gain work experience.
Social benefits: Sponsored parents may also be eligible for certain social benefits, such as the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, and Guaranteed Income Supplement.
Family reunification: Sponsoring your parents to come to Canada allows you to reunite with your family members and strengthens family ties.

Sponsoring your parents to come to Canada provides them with an opportunity to build a new life in a safe, prosperous, and welcoming country. It also allows them to spend time with their family members and participate in Canadian society, while enjoying the many benefits that come with permanent residency.