Now Indians will be able to keep their parents with them in Canada.

Now Indians can keep their parents with them in Canada under the expanded PGP. Learn how this benefits Indian families and what steps to take.

A Big Relief for Indian Families in Canada

For many Indian immigrants in Canada, living thousands of miles away from aging parents has been emotionally challenging. But now, there’s some great news — Indians can now keep their parents with them in Canada, thanks to recent changes in the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) and related immigration pathways.

This move marks a significant step toward family reunification and has brought hope to thousands of Indian families who wish to live with their loved ones permanently. In this article, we’ll break down what these changes mean, who is eligible, how to apply, and the key benefits of bringing your Indian parents to Canada

1. Understanding the PGP: What Is It and Why It Matters

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a family sponsorship pathway offered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency (PR).

Key Highlights:

• Allows Indian immigrants to bring parents on PR, not temporary visas
• Sponsored parents can access healthcare and social services
• Once eligible, they may eventually apply for Canadian citizenship

Why It’s a Big Deal for Indians:

• Over 1.4 million Indians live in Canada as permanent residents or citizens (StatCan, 2024)
• Nearly 60% of Indian immigrants report emotional stress due to separation from parents (Canada Migration Journal, 2023)

This change helps reduce emotional and financial strain by offering a stable and long-term solution.

2. Eligibility Criteria for Sponsoring Indian Parents

To sponsor your parents under the PGP, you must meet certain eligibility requirements set by the IRCC.

Sponsor Requirements:

• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Be 18 years or older
• Meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the past 3 years
• Sign a 20-year undertaking to financially support your parents

Parent Requirements:

• Complete medical exams
• Must not be inadmissible due to criminal or medical issues
• Submit police clearance certificates (PCC)

The process is competitive, with a limited number of applications accepted annually. In 2025, IRCC is expected to invite up to 40,000 applicants under the PGP (IRCC Update, 2025).

3. The Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Navigating the PGP sponsorship process may seem overwhelming, but breaking it down helps:

Step-by-Step:

1. Submit an Interest to Sponsor Form during the IRCC intake window
2. If selected, receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
3. Submit the full PGP sponsorship application and PR application for parents
4. Wait for IRCC approval and processing (usually 20-24 months)
5. Parents arrive and become permanent residents

Tip: You can also consider a Super Visa while waiting for PGP approval — it allows parents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time.

4. Benefits of Bringing Indian Parents to Canada

The emotional, social, and practical advantages of having your parents in Canada are immense.

Emotional & Practical Benefits:

• Strengthen family bonds and reduce feelings of isolation
• Parents can help with childcare, especially in dual-income households
• Easy access to free public healthcare
• Ability to live in multi-generational households, a core Indian value

Financial Benefit:

Although sponsors commit to supporting parents, many Indian families find this worthwhile, as it improves overall work-life balance and mental well-being.

5. Real-Life Example: How It Changed Life for the Patels

Let’s take the example of the Patel family from Brampton, Ontario.

Rohit Patel, a Canadian citizen, successfully sponsored his parents under the PGP in 2022. Before that, his mother visited on a visitor visa every two years.

“When my parents got PR, our lives changed. I no longer had to juggle travel plans, medical insurance, or visa stress. My kids are now growing up with their grandparents, and our home feels complete again,” says Rohit.

This shows how immigration policy changes can create life-changing outcomes for Indian families in Canada.

6. Important Stats That Show the Impact

1. Over 40% of new immigrants in Canada are from India (StatCan, 2024)
2. 56% of Indian newcomers consider parental reunification a top priority (IRCC Survey, 2023)
3. Over 31,000 parents and grandparents were admitted to Canada under PGP in 2024 (IRCC Data)
4. PGP acceptance rate is projected to rise by 12% in 2025 (CIC News Report)

These numbers indicate growing recognition of family needs in Canada’s immigration strategy.

Conclusion: A Win-Win for Indians and Canadian Society

Bringing Indian parents to Canada isn’t just a family goal — it’s a step toward building stronger, more connected communities. The PGP program empowers Indian families to reunite permanently, offering emotional relief, childcare support, and stability for aging parents.

As Canada opens more pathways for family reunification, it’s time to take advantage of the opportunity. Whether you’re planning for the next PGP intake or exploring a Super Visa, the time to start is now.