Options For Families After IRCC Says No New 2025 Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Applications

Canada will process 15,000 sponsorship applications for parents and grandparents under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) in 2025.

Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed that only sponsorship applications submitted in 2024 are being processed this year. The cap of 15,000 applications ensures efficient processing while maintaining a focus on family reunification under the family class immigration stream.

Under the latest Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC plans to welcome 24,500 PGP newcomers in 2025, 21,500 in 2026 and 20,000 in 2027. It is not known when it will next accept applications.

On This Page You Will Find:

• Key details about the 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) quota
• Insights into the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa as an alternative
• Eligibility criteria for the Parents and Grandparents Program
• The impact of the policy on families and sponsors
• Advice for navigating family sponsorship options

Key Details of the 2025 PGP Quota

• Eligibility: Only applications received during the 2024 calendar year are being processed in 2025.
• Quota: A maximum of 15,000 applications will be processed.
• Timeline: Processing will run from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
• Future Changes: Unless the Minister issues new instructions, no additional applications for parent or grandparent sponsorships will be accepted for 2025.

Impact on Families and Sponsors

This policy will come as a major disappointment for families hoping to reunite with parents or grandparents in Canada. Applicants who did not submit their sponsorship applications by the December 31, 2024, deadline will need to wait for updates regarding the 2026 intake process or potential policy changes.

By maintaining limits, IRCC aims to efficiently handle applications while balancing system capacity and supporting family reunification in Canada.

However, it means those who have not submitted applications face another year away from their loved ones. It also means that no new potential sponsors have been allowed to register since 2020, when IRCC last accepted Interest to Sponsor forms.

It means anyone who may have decided they wanted to bring parents and grandparents to Canada as permanent residents in the last five years have had no opportunity to do so.

Consider the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa as an Alternative

For families who missed the 2024 sponsorship application deadline under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa offers an excellent alternative. This visa allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for extended periods while maintaining flexibility.

Key Benefits of the Super Visa

• Long Stay Duration: The Super Visa permits visits of up to five consecutive years without the need for renewal. After that, stays can be extended for two additional years.
• Multiple Entries: It’s a multi-entry visa, allowing multiple visits over a period of up to 10 years.
• Faster Processing: Compared to sponsorship applications, Super Visa applications are often processed more quickly, making it a viable option for families seeking faster reunions.
• Flexibility: The Super Visa enables parents and grandparents to maintain ties to their home country while enjoying extended visits to Canada.

Eligibility Requirements for the Super Visa

Applicants must:

• Provide proof of a letter of invitation from their child or grandchild who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Demonstrate they meet the income threshold required to support their visitors during their stay.
• Obtain and maintain medical insurance from a Canadian company for at least one year.
• Undergo a medical examination to ensure they meet health standards.

Why Choose the Super Visa?

The Super Visa is ideal for families who wish to reunite while awaiting future opportunities to apply for permanent residency sponsorship. It also offers parents and grandparents the ability to stay in Canada longer than a regular visitor visa allows, ensuring families can share meaningful time together without lengthy separation periods.

For families who value flexibility and wish to avoid the uncertainty of future PGP quotas, the Super Visa remains a reliable and accessible solution. Stay connected with your loved ones while making the most of this opportunity to enjoy life in Canada together.

Eligibility Criteria for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

The PGP is a notoriously difficult program for the families members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to successfully join their loved ones here through. To sponsor a parent or grandparent under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), you must meet the following requirements:

Sponsor Eligibility:

1. Status in Canada:
   • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Indian Act.
2. Minimum Necessary Income (MNI):
   • Meet the income threshold for the last three consecutive tax years (except in Quebec, which has its own financial requirements). Proof of income must be provided via notices of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
3. Financial Commitment:
   • Agree to financially support the sponsored parent(s) or grandparent(s) for 20 years (10 years in Quebec), including repayment of any social assistance claimed during this period.
4. Signed Undertaking:
   • Sign a sponsorship agreement with the sponsored individual(s), confirming the commitment to financial support.

Parent/Grandparent Eligibility:

1. Relationship:
   • Be the biological or adoptive parent or grandparent of the sponsor.
2. Admissibility to Canada:
   • Meet all admissibility requirements under Canadian immigration law, including health, criminal, and security checks.

The PGP operates on a lottery-based invitation system. Interested sponsors must submit an expression of interest when the program opens and await selection to apply. The expression of interest system has not been opened since 2020.

FAQ: Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) and Super Visa