Family reunification is at the heart of Canadian immigration. One of the most meaningful ways to achieve this is by sponsoring your elderly parents or grandparents to join you in Canada. While the idea is simple—bringing your loved ones closer— the process itself involves significant time, money, paperwork, and patience. As an RCIC, we often remind clients that success depends not only on the forms they submit, but on how well-prepared and supported they are through each stage.

 

What Is Parental/Elderly Sponsorship?

The Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency. This means your loved ones can live in Canada permanently, access health care, and fully enjoy family life here.

The program is invitation-based: IRCC issues invitations to apply, and only those who are selected can submit an application. Sponsors must meet income requirements for the last three years, sign a long-term financial undertaking (20 years outside Quebec, 10 years in Quebec), and ensure that their parents won’t rely on government social assistance.

 

What Both Sides Should Be Aware Of

Sponsorship is a shared commitment between the sponsor and the people being sponsored.

For the Sponsor:

• Time: Applications are detailed, and IRCC can take months (sometimes years) to process.
• Money: You must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) and provide Notices of Assessment for the last three tax years. Legal and processing fees add to the cost.
• Effort: Gathering documents, translating records, and staying punctual with deadlines is critical.

For the Parents/Grandparents:

• Patience: Immigration processes can feel slow, but every step is essential.
• Effort: They may need to undergo medical exams, biometrics, and provide police certificates.
• Adjustment: Starting a new life in Canada can be daunting—especially if they’ve never lived abroad—but family support makes it smoother.

And for everyone: always work with a licensed RCIC or lawyer. “Ghost consultants” may promise cheaper fees but often leave applications incomplete—or never submit them at all.

 

Common Challenges and Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Immigration applications are detail-heavy, and even minor oversights can cause significant delays. Here are some of the most frequent issues:

• Incomplete or unsigned forms: A missing signature or outdated form version can result in refusal.
• Incorrect or inconsistent information: Dates that don’t match across passports, forms, or histories can raise red flags.
• Missing translations or certifications: Documents not in English or French must be translated and certified properly.
• Not disclosing prior immigration history: Failure to mention past refusals or applications may be seen as misrepresentation.
• Financial miscalculations: Sponsors sometimes miscount household size or fail to meet MNI across all three years.

How to avoid these issues: Work with a licensed professional, double-check every form, and prepare documents well ahead of deadlines. A proactive, thorough application is always faster than trying to fix mistakes later.

 

Considerations for Elderly Parents

For elderly newcomers, moving countries can be both exciting and overwhelming. Adjusting to a new culture, climate, and language often feels harder with age. However, many find deep joy in being reunited with their children and grandchildren, building new routines, and participating in family life.

Preparation is key:

• Talk openly with your parents about the move and what to expect.
• Make their living space familiar and accessible.
• Connect them early to community groups, cultural associations, or senior centres to avoid isolation.

Family reunification is something most of us long for—and with careful planning, it can be a fulfilling new chapter for everyone.

 

Why It Matters to Have Professionals on Your Side

As RCICs, we understand both the emotional and technical aspects of sponsorship. We’ve seen more cases than most families will ever encounter, so we know the common pitfalls and how to navigate them. Beyond the paperwork, we act as steady guides—managing expectations, addressing anxieties, and keeping your application on track.

 

How Monolith Immigration Services Can Help

At Monolith Immigration Services, we know what it feels like to be newcomers—because we’ve lived that journey ourselves. We combine empathy with expertise:

• We listen with care, keeping your family’s worries in mind.
• We prepare applications with precision to minimize delays.
• We treat every client as family, working toward the same goal: a smooth reunification with your loved ones.

Sponsoring your parents or grandparents is a powerful act of love. With the right guidance and preparation, it can also be a successful one.

 

Disclaimer
This article is intended for general information only and should not be taken as legal or immigration advice. Canadian immigration rules are complex, subject to interpretation, and may change without notice. Relying solely on publicly shared information could affect the outcome of your application.

Monolith Immigration Services makes no guarantees regarding the completeness, accuracy, or consequences of using the material provided here. For advice specific to your circumstances, we encourage you to seek guidance from a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.