Canada Halts New PGP Applications
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed an indefinite pause on new applications for its Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). As of July 17, 2026, the program will no longer accept new "Interest to Sponsor" forms, nor will it issue new invitations to potential sponsors. This measure aims to align the program's intake with Canada's 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
Why the Program Was Paused
The core reason for the pause is a significant imbalance between demand and available permanent residence spots. The number of Canadian citizens and permanent residents wishing to sponsor their parents and grandparents has consistently outstripped the annual allocation of spaces. This disparity has led to extensive backlogs, increased processing times, and created considerable uncertainty for applicants.
By halting new intake, IRCC intends to alleviate these backlogs, enhance the predictability of processing, and ultimately improve timelines for those already within the system.
Who Is Affected by the Pause?
The pause specifically impacts prospective sponsors who had planned to initiate the application process but had not yet done so. Those who have already submitted a PGP application, or who previously received an invitation to apply and have an active file under review, will not be affected. IRCC has confirmed that it will continue to process all existing cases.
For 2026, Canada plans to approve up to 15,000 parents and grandparents for permanent residence, all of whom will be drawn from the current inventory of applications.
Super Visa Remains an Option
Despite the PGP pause, the Super Visa program remains fully operational and unaffected. This option allows parents and grandparents to visit family in Canada for extended periods, permitting stays of up to five years per visit and offering multiple entries over a period of up to 10 years.
IRCC has also recently made the Super Visa more accessible by adjusting certain income and health insurance requirements, making it a viable alternative for family reunification during this PGP suspension.
Future of the Program
IRCC has not provided any timeline for reopening the Parents and Grandparents Program. Until a future announcement is made, no new sponsorship applications will be accepted. For parents and grandparents seeking extended stays in Canada, the Super Visa will remain the primary pathway.