Skip to content

Benefits

GIS for Sponsored Immigrants: The 2025 Sponsorship Rules

Sponsored immigrants can't get the GIS, the Allowance or the Allowance for the Survivor for the whole length of their sponsorship. Since October 1, 2025, parent and grandparent sponsorships last 20 years instead of 10, except in Quebec.

By Fact-checked by Samuel Athur

Last verified How we check our facts

The rule

While you are under a sponsorship agreement, you can't receive:

  • The Guaranteed Income Supplement
  • The Allowance
  • The Allowance for the Survivor

You may still get the OAS pension itself if you meet the residence rules.

What changed on October 1, 2025

Sponsorship agreements for parents and grandparents were extended from 10 to 20 years in all provinces except Quebec.

Exceptions

You can get GIS while sponsored if your sponsor:

  • Has died
  • Is in prison for more than 6 months
  • Has been convicted of an offence against you
  • Has declared personal bankruptcy

Immigrants who were not sponsored

If you weren't sponsored, you can get GIS like anyone else once you qualify for OAS.

Phone numbers

CPP and OAS (also Personal Access Codes for returning CPP/OAS clients)

1-800-277-9914

Agents: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm local time. Automated: 24/7.

From outside Canada and the U.S.: 1-613-957-1954 (collect, Eastern time)

TTY: 1-800-255-4786

Related

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) 2026: Amounts and Income Limits The Guaranteed Income Supplement is a tax-free monthly payment for low-income seniors who get OAS. For October to December 2026, a single senior can get up to $1,138.90 a month if their income is under $23,112. Most people are enrolled automatically with their OAS. Who Qualifies for Old Age Security? OAS Eligibility Rules You qualify for Old Age Security at 65 if you are a Canadian citizen or legal resident and have lived in Canada at least 10 years since age 18. If you live outside Canada, you need at least 20 years. You don't need to have worked, but income over $152,062 (age 65 to 74) means no OAS. Partial OAS Pension: How Years in Canada Affect Your Amount If you lived in Canada fewer than 40 years after age 18, you get a partial OAS pension: the years you lived here divided by 40. With 20 years, you get 50% of the full pension, about $381.25 a month for October to December 2026. You need at least 10 years, or 20 if you live abroad.

Frequently asked questions

Can a sponsored parent get OAS?

The OAS pension depends on age and years in Canada. The sponsorship bar applies to the GIS and the Allowances.

Does the 20-year rule apply in Quebec?

No. The extension from 10 to 20 years applies in all provinces except Quebec.

Sources

North Help Desk is an independent guide, not a government website. Rules, amounts and phone hours can change; always confirm on the official page before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.