As the world becomes more interconnected and migration trends continue to evolve, one growing concern among immigrants is how to reunite with their aging parents. For many families, bringing elderly parents to live with them is both an emotional and practical decision—driven by the desire to provide better care, comfort, and companionship during their senior years.
In 2025, several countries have updated or maintained immigration pathways specifically for sponsoring elderly parents. At Globexa Immigration, we help you understand these options clearly and make informed decisions. Here’s a comprehensive guide to immigration options for elderly parents in 2025.
1. Canada: Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) & Super Visa
1. Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship (PGP)
Canada remains one of the most popular destinations for family reunification. Under the PGP, Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency.
Key highlights:
Lottery-style invitation system (IRCC randomly selects sponsors).
Proof of minimum income for the last 3 years required.
Sponsored parents become permanent residents with access to healthcare and social services.
đź“ť 2025 Update: IRCC is expected to release over 35,000 invitations this year under PGP, prioritizing backlog reduction and faster processing.
2. Canada Super Visa
An excellent alternative to permanent sponsorship, the Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to stay for up to 5 years per entry (extended from 2 years) and is valid for up to 10 years.
Requirements:
Invitation letter from child or grandchild in Canada.
Proof of income and medical insurance.
Medical exam and admissibility clearance.
Best for families waiting for PGP invitation or not meeting the income requirement.
2. United Kingdom: Adult Dependent Relative Visa
The UK Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) Visa is designed for elderly parents who need long-term care and have no one in their home country to provide it.
Eligibility Criteria:
Must prove the parent needs long-term personal care.
Must be financially supported by the sponsoring child (UK citizen/settled resident).
Parent must be unable to receive care in their home country.
Important: The ADR visa is extremely strict and rarely approved without strong medical evidence. It is not for general family reunification.
3. Australia: Parent Visa Options
Australia offers multiple options, divided into contributory and non-contributory streams.
1. Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143/173)
Faster processing (2–4 years).
Requires a higher application fee (~AUD 47,000 per parent).
Grants permanent residency with access to Medicare and other benefits.
2. Non-Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
Lower cost but wait time exceeds 30 years.
Still grants PR eventually.
3. Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 870)
Stay for up to 5 years per visit, renewable for a maximum of 10 years.
Must have a sponsoring child in Australia.
Health insurance required, and no work rights.
2025 Update: The Subclass 870 has been extended with more slots and longer validity, catering to growing demand from Indian, Chinese, and UK-based families.
4. United States: Green Card for Parents of U.S. Citizens
If you’re a U.S. citizen (21+ years), you can directly sponsor your parents for a Green Card.
Process:
File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative).
No annual cap for parents of U.S. citizens.
Concurrent Adjustment of Status allowed if the parent is already in the U.S.
Medical check-up, police verification, and interview are mandatory.
Note: Permanent residents (Green Card holders) cannot sponsor parents—only U.S. citizens can.
5. New Zealand: Parent Retirement Visa & Parent Resident Visa
New Zealand offers two options:
1. Parent Resident Visa
Sponsor must be earning a high income.
Capped annually (only 2,500 applications accepted).
Long processing times.
2. Parent Retirement Visa
For wealthy applicants.
Must invest NZD 1 million for 4 years and demonstrate sufficient annual income.
6. Important Considerations for Elderly Immigration
1. Medical Insurance
Most countries do not cover elderly immigrants under public healthcare unless they become permanent residents. Private insurance is a must for temporary and visitor visas.
2. Financial Requirements
Many parent sponsorship routes require proof that you can financially support your parents. This includes bank statements, income tax records, and employment verification.
3. Housing and Care Arrangements
You may need to prove suitable accommodation and care arrangements, especially for dependent visas.
4. Application Processing Time
Depending on the country and visa type, it can take 6 months to several years to process parent immigration visas.
7. How Can Globexa Immigration Help?
At Globexa Immigration, we specialize in parent reunification and senior immigration solutions. Whether you’re exploring permanent sponsorship, long-term visitor options, or seeking alternatives due to income limitations, our team ensures:
Accurate eligibility assessment
Documentation & financial planning
Application submissions & follow-ups
 Appeals & legal guidance if refused
8. Final Thoughts
Bringing elderly parents to live with you is a dream for many families—and in 2025, multiple pathways exist to turn that dream into reality. However, each country has its own complex requirements, and application mistakes can cost time, money, and peace of mind.
Let Globexa Immigration guide you through every step of the process. Contact us today for a free assessment and start planning your family’s future—together.
