PGP Processing Time and Fees: What the Application Actually Costs in 2026
PGP Processing Time and Fees: What the Application Actually Costs in 2026
Two questions families ask before investing in the PGP process: how long will it take, and how much will it cost? The honest answers are "longer than you'd like" and "more than most guides mention." Here's what the numbers actually look like as of 2026.
Processing Times by Region
IRCC updated its PGP processing statistics in early 2026. These figures represent estimated times from the date a complete application package is received (after passing the completeness check) to final decision:
| Region | Estimated Processing Time | Current Inventory |
|---|---|---|
| Rest of Canada (federal) | 34 to 40 months | ~46,600 applicants total |
| Quebec (MIFI undertaking required) | 46 to 48 months | ~11,700 applicants |
Processing times are inventory-driven, not fixed. They fluctuate based on staffing, the volume of applications in the queue, and government priorities. These figures can change — and have changed substantially in both directions in recent years.
What Drives the Timeline
The PGP process moves through several sequential stages, each with its own wait time:
Stage 1 — Completeness Check: After submission, IRCC runs an automated check to verify all required forms are present, signed, and validly uploaded. Applications that pass receive an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR). Applications that fail are returned without processing — no wait time accrued, but the invitation is forfeit.
Stage 2 — Sponsor Eligibility Assessment: IRCC reviews the sponsor's file: income, status in Canada, family size calculation. This stage typically completes before the principal applicant's file is reviewed. Some sponsors have received sponsor approval within a few months; others wait longer depending on workload.
Stage 3 — Applicant Assessment (Visa Office Processing): Once the sponsor is approved, the file transfers to a visa office in the principal applicant's country of residence. This stage involves requests for:
- Immigration medical examinations (completed by an IRCC-designated physician)
- Biometrics (if not already collected)
- Updated police certificates (if original certificates have expired)
- Any additional documents requested via a procedural letter
Stage 4 — Final Decision: Approval letter and Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) documents issued. The parent or grandparent then lands in Canada as a permanent resident within the validity period of the COPR.
For Quebec-based sponsors, Stage 2 overlaps with the MIFI undertaking process, which runs on Quebec's own timeline and is currently subject to a moratorium through at least June 25, 2026.
Government Fee Breakdown
IRCC updated its fee schedule on April 30, 2026. These are the fees per person:
| Fee Item | 2026 Amount | When Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship fee (sponsor pays) | $90 | At application submission |
| Principal applicant processing fee | $570 | At application submission |
| Spouse/partner processing fee (if applicable) | $660 | At application submission |
| Dependent child processing fee (per child) | $180 | At application submission |
| Biometrics — individual | $85 | When requested by IRCC |
| Biometrics — family maximum | $170 | When requested by IRCC |
The Right of Permanent Residence Fee
The Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) is a separate charge from the processing fee. As of 2026, it is $600 per person who will receive permanent resident status. This applies to each parent or grandparent being sponsored and to their accompanying dependents (spouses, common-law partners) — but not to dependent children.
IRCC recommends paying the RPRF at the time of application submission rather than waiting for approval, even though it is technically due when permanent residence is granted. Paying upfront is optional but avoids a delay at the final stage when the COPR is ready to be issued.
A practical example — sponsoring both parents:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship fee | $90 |
| Processing — Parent 1 (principal applicant) | $570 |
| Processing — Parent 2 (accompanying dependent) | $660 |
| RPRF — Parent 1 | $600 |
| RPRF — Parent 2 | $600 |
| Total government fees | $2,520 |
If both parents require individual biometrics: add $170 (family maximum).
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Additional Costs to Budget For
Government fees are only part of the total cost. Families should budget for:
Immigration Medical Examination (IME): Each applicant must complete an IME with an IRCC-designated physician. Costs vary by country — approximately $200 to $500 USD equivalent in most regions. Multiple appointments may be needed depending on the panel physician's requirements.
Police certificates: Obtaining police certificates from abroad varies widely. A fee of $10 to $50 per certificate is typical, but expedited processing in some countries costs more. If a certified translation is required, translation fees add $50 to $200 per document.
Document translation: Any document not in English or French requires certified translation by a member of a recognized translation association. A birth certificate translation typically costs $50 to $150; a marriage certificate is similar.
Optional: Immigration consultant or lawyer: Full-service representation from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) runs $2,000 to $5,000. Immigration lawyers charge $4,500 to $8,500. These are optional — the PGP is a document-organization process that many sponsors handle independently with appropriate preparation.
Ongoing obligation after landing: The 20-year financial undertaking is not a fee, but it's a real cost to factor in. If a sponsored parent requires social assistance at any point during the undertaking period, the sponsor can be held liable for repayment to the government.
Super Visa Comparison
For families considering the Super Visa as an alternative or bridge, the cost structure is different:
- No processing fee to the Canadian government (Super Visa application fee: $100)
- Medical insurance: $1,200 to $6,000+ per year depending on age and health
- Medical examination: Same as PGP (~$200-$500)
- No RPRF (no permanent residency granted)
- No ongoing 20-year financial undertaking
The Super Visa is significantly cheaper upfront and has no multi-decade legal commitment. The trade-off is that it doesn't lead to permanent residency — parents remain on temporary status and don't access provincial health coverage.
The Timeline vs. Super Visa Decision
Given 34 to 48 month processing times for PGP, many families use the Super Visa as a bridge — bringing parents to Canada on temporary status while the permanent residency application moves through the queue. The Super Visa authorized stay of five years per entry is generally sufficient to cover the PGP processing period.
For guidance on both pathways including the complete fee structure, application checklist, and timeline planning, the Canada Parent/Grandparent Sponsorship Guide covers the end-to-end process.
The Bottom Line
Plan for government fees of approximately $2,500 to $3,000 for a two-parent sponsorship, plus $400 to $800 in medical and document costs per applicant. Processing runs 34 to 40 months for most of Canada and 46 to 48 months for Quebec. Budget the RPRF into your upfront payment to avoid a delay at final approval.
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