Canada stops accepting new Parents and Grandparents sponsorship in 2025

The Canadian government has announced that it will not accept new applications for the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP) in 2025.

Instead, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will focus on processing existing applications submitted in 2024, aiming to finalize up to 15,000 sponsorship applications throughout 2025.

What Is the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP)?

The PGP allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency in Canada.

Due to high demand, the program uses a lottery-based invitation system, where interested sponsors submit an Interest to Sponsor form, and IRCC randomly selects individuals to invite for application submission.

From 2020 to 2024, invitations were issued to sponsors who had applied during the 2020 intake period, and the program has not opened for new sponsors since then.

Why the Pause on New Applications?

The suspension of new applications for 2025 is part of IRCC's strategy to manage immigration levels and streamline the backlog.

The department has reduced its permanent resident annual targets under the PGP for 2025, with a target of 24,500 landings, down from 32,000 in 2024.

By focusing on pending applications, IRCC aims to balance its resources and improve processing efficiency.

Alternative Option: The Canada Super Visa

For those unable to sponsor their parents or grandparents through the PGP, the Canada Super Visa offers an excellent alternative.

This visa allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for extended periods without applying for permanent residency.

Key benefits include:

1. Long Validity: The Super Visa is valid for up to 10 years.
2. Extended Stays: Visa holders can stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit without needing to renew their status.
3. Extensions: An additional 2-year extension can be requested after the initial 5-year stay.

This option provides flexibility and allows for meaningful family reunions, even if permanent residency sponsorship isn’t immediately available.

Processing Times for Existing PGP Applications

For those already in the process of sponsoring their parents or grandparents, current processing times are as follows:

1. Canada (excluding Quebec): Approximately 24 months.
2. Quebec: Processing times average around 48 months due to additional provincial requirements.

Applicants are advised to monitor updates on their application status through IRCC’s online tools. The suspension of new PGP applications in 2025 reflects Canada's efforts to manage immigration levels and improve processing times for existing applicants.