Canada Closes Door to New Parent and Grandparent Permanent Residence Sponsorships

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Canada Pauses New Applications for Parents and Grandparents Permanent Residence Program

OTTAWA — The Government of Canada has officially paused the intake of new applications under its Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for Permanent Residence (PR).

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the decision to hold off on collecting new "Interest to Sponsor" forms aims to tackle massive backlogs and clear existing application files currently in the pipeline.

Key Details & Highlights

• Reason for the Pause: IRCC stated that demand for the PGP has drastically exceeded available PR slots. With over 60,000 existing applications already in process, wait times have climbed to nearly 33 months (and up to 66 months in Quebec).

• Processing Continues for Pending Files: The pause affects new submissions. IRCC confirmed it will continue to process applications already submitted and still plans to approve up to 15,000 permanent residence spots under this category per year.

• Alternative Route (Super Visa): The government has advised families looking to bring parents or grandparents to Canada to use the Super Visa program. While it does not grant PR, it allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time with a multi-entry visa valid for up to 10 years.

What This Means for Applicants

For Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents who have not yet submitted an Interest to Sponsor form, the door remains temporarily shut until further official notice from IRCC. Officials emphasize that family reunification remains a core priority, and this temporary hold is meant to build a more sustainable, faster-moving system once the program reopens.