The federal government has announced that it will not accept any new applications for the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship (PGP) Program until further notice.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says the decision is intended to better manage the growing backlog of applications and reduce lengthy processing times.
What is a PGP Program in Canada?
The PGP program, designed to help Canadian citizens and permanent residents reunite with their parents and grandparents by sponsoring them for permanent residence, has seen demand far exceed the number of available spaces.
More than 60,000 applications are currently being processed, with average wait times of approximately 33 months across Canada and up to 66 months in Quebec.
The program first opened its current intake system in 2020, when more than 200,000 Canadians submitted expressions of interest. Since then, IRCC has invited selected applicants from that original pool each year rather than opening a new intake.
While no new sponsorship applications will be accepted for now, the federal government says it remains committed to approving up to 15,000 parents and grandparents for permanent residence in both 2026 and 2027 under its existing Immigration Levels Plan. However, these approvals will come from existing applications already in the system.
The pause comes as Canada continues to adjust its broader immigration strategy. The government’s current plan aims to admit 380,000 permanent residents annually between 2026 and 2028 while also reducing the number of temporary work and study permits issued.
These measures are intended to stabilize population growth and ease pressure on housing, healthcare, and other public services.
Reasons Behind Longer Processing Times
Immigration has become an increasingly important public issue in recent years. Government polling has shown that public support for immigration declined significantly in 2023 and 2024, reaching its lowest level in decades.
In response, the federal government has introduced several policy changes aimed at strengthening the immigration system, including tighter asylum rules and measures to address growing application backlogs.
As of April 30, IRCC had more than 2.1 million applications across all immigration streams, with over 922,000 considered backlogged because they exceeded the department’s published processing standards. Less than half of permanent residence applications are currently being finalized within the expected service timelines.
Super Visa Program Remains an Excellent Alternative
Although the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program is currently closed to new applications, families still have another valuable option: the Canadian Super Visa.
The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit Canada for extended periods.
Eligible visitors can stay in Canada for up to five years per entry, with the visa remaining valid for up to 10 years, making it an excellent solution for families wishing to spend significant time together without obtaining permanent residence immediately.
To qualify for a Super Visa, applicants must meet several requirements, including:
- Be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Receive a signed invitation letter from their child or grandchild in Canada.
- Meet Canada’s medical admissibility requirements, including completing an immigration medical exam if required.
- Show they have valid private Canadian medical insurance that provides at least $100,000 in emergency health coverage, is valid for a minimum of one full year from the date of entry, and is available for review by border officials upon arrival.
- Demonstrate that their Canadian host meets the minimum income requirements to support their visit.
Securing the required one-year Super Visa medical insurance is one of the most important parts of the application.
Arbetov Insurance specializes in Super Visa insurance and we can help families find coverage that meets all IRCC requirements while offering competitive rates and personalized service, making the application process smoother and giving visitors peace of mind throughout their stay in Canada.
Contact us for more information or advice.
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