Individuals are not eligible to sponsor a parent and/or grandparent if they:

• Are less than 18 years old;
• Will not live in Canada when applying to sponsor the parent and/or grandparent and/or when the sponsored parent and/or grandparent becomes a permanent resident
  • As a potential sponsor, an applicant's primary residential address must be in Canada at the time of applying and until a decision is made on the application.
• Are not Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, or a registered Indian in Canada
• Are a temporary resident who is visiting, studying, or working in Canada on a visa or permit
• Have a permanent residence application that is still in process
  • A potential sponsor must have permanent resident status at the time of submitting the sponsorship application.
• Cannot show proof of income that demonstrates they has the required Minimum Necessary Income (MNI).

In addition, individuals may not be eligible to sponsor a parent and grandparent if they:

• Are in jail, prison, or penitentiary
• Did not pay back:
  • an immigration loan
  • a performance bond
  • court-ordered family support payments such as alimony or child support
• Did not give the financial support they agreed to when signing a sponsorship agreement to sponsor a relative in the past
• Declared bankruptcy and are not discharged
• Receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability
• Were convicted of a violent criminal offence, any offence against a relative or any sexual offence inside or outside Canada
• Cannot legally stay in Canada and must leave the country because they received a Removal Order.

IRCC may have additional reasons for considering a person ineligible to sponsor a parent and/or grandparent.