PGP 2026 — Parents and Grandparents Program Updates
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) remains the only path to permanent residence for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens / PRs. PGP is lottery-gated due to demand vastly exceeding the annual cap. This page covers 2026 updates and strategy.
PGP 2026 — the lottery + cap structure
PGP operates through a two-stage selection:
- Interest to Sponsor (ITS) — sponsors submit an ITS form during open IRCC windows
- Random lottery selection — IRCC randomly selects sponsors from the ITS pool to invite to submit full PGP applications
- Full PGP application — selected sponsors submit complete sponsorship + PR application package
The annual PGP cap (recently 10,000-20,000 invitations) is much smaller than the ITS pool, so the lottery is competitive.
MNI requirements 2026 (representative)
Sponsor must meet Minimum Necessary Income for the 3 tax years immediately preceding application:
| Family size (incl. sponsored persons) | 2026 MNI (approximate) |
|---|---|
| 2 people | ~CAD 35,000 |
| 3 people | ~CAD 44,000 |
| 4 people | ~CAD 54,000 |
| 5 people | ~CAD 61,000 |
| 6 people | ~CAD 69,000 |
| 7 people | ~CAD 77,000 |
Always verify against IRCC's published current MNI table.
The 20-year undertaking
PGP carries a 20-year financial undertaking — among the longest in Canadian sponsorship law. Sponsor commits to providing for sponsored parents' basic needs and repaying any social assistance received. This is the trade-off for permanent residence.
Super Visa as the bridge
Most Halani families pursue both: Super Visa (immediate, 10-year multi-entry) + PGP (whenever selected, ~2-3 years to PR). See PGP vs Super Visa comparison.
PGP processing times 2026
After ITS selection + full application submission: typically 24-40 months to COPR. Slow processing reflects: smaller annual cap, complex eligibility verification, ageing applicants requiring extensive medical exams, overseas processing through visa offices serving older applicant populations.
What changed in PGP recently
- ITS pool format adopted in 2020 (replaced first-come-first-served)
- Random selection used since 2021
- 2024-2025 invitations drew from existing ITS pool; new ITS windows announced periodically
- MNI indexation continues annually
FAQ
Is PGP open for new Interest to Sponsor in 2026?
IRCC publishes Interest to Sponsor (ITS) windows periodically. The 2024-2025 ITS pool received invitations through 2025; 2026 ITS opening dates and cap depend on IRCC announcements. Check IRCC's published PGP page for current open windows.
What's the PGP annual cap?
Federal IRCC publishes a PGP target each year. Recently around 10,000-20,000 invitations annually. The cap is much smaller than the demand — that's why the lottery exists.
Has the MNI threshold changed in 2026?
Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) is indexed annually. For 2026, MNI for a family of 4 sponsoring 2 parents (family of 6) is approximately CAD 80,000+ per year for each of the 3 preceding tax years. Always check IRCC's published MNI table for current numbers.
If I'm not selected in PGP lottery, what do I do?
Super Visa is the standard alternative — 10-year multi-entry visa with 5-year stays per entry. Most Halani families pursue Super Visa for immediate parent visits + PGP whenever the lottery selects them.
Has the 20-year undertaking changed?
No — the 20-year financial undertaking for PGP-sponsored parents remains. Sponsor commits to providing for parents' basic needs (and repaying any social assistance received) for 20 years from PR landing.
PGP 2026 + Super Visa strategy
Halani Immigration Services Inc. (RCIC-IRB R711322) handles both PGP applications and Super Visa applications in parallel for Pakistani, Indian, Filipino, Chinese families. Free 15-min review.
Free Parent Sponsorship Review →Related: PGP details · Super Visa · PGP vs Super Visa · MNI