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Canada Suspends New Sponsorship Applications for Parents and Grandparents
Canada Suspends New Sponsorship Applications for Parents and Grandparents
Canada Suspends New Sponsorship Applications for Parents and Grandparents in 2025
In a recent announcement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed that it will not accept new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for permanent residency in 2025. Instead, the department will focus on processing applications submitted in 2024, with a maximum target of 15,000 applications for the year.
The decision aligns with broader adjustments to Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan, which reduced the target for permanent resident landings through the PGP to 24,500 for 2025. This marks a significant decrease from earlier projections, which had set targets at 32,000 for 2024 and 34,000 for 2025. The pause reflects the government’s strategy to manage immigration levels while addressing application backlogs and prioritizing efficient processing.
Alternative Options: The Super Visa
Although new PGP applications will not be accepted, Canadian citizens and permanent residents still have options to reunite with their parents and grandparents. The super visa program remains available, allowing eligible relatives to visit Canada for up to five years at a time. This visa provides a flexible alternative for extended family visits without the permanent residency pathway.
The PGP enables Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency. Due to overwhelming demand, the program uses a lottery system to invite applicants who have expressed interest through an online form. From 2020 to 2024, invitations were issued exclusively to individuals who had submitted forms during the 2020 intake period.
Why the Pause?
The reduced targets and application freeze stem from adjustments in Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan, which is updated annually to set goals for new permanent and temporary residents. The 2025 plan marks a notable shift, including the first-ever targets for net new temporary residents. By temporarily pausing new PGP applications, IRCC aims to streamline operations and balance immigration priorities amidst shifting demographic and economic needs.
Looking Ahead
While the pause in new PGP applications may disappoint some families, the government emphasizes its commitment to reuniting families through alternative pathways like the super visa. Stakeholders and prospective sponsors are encouraged to stay informed about updates to the Immigration Levels Plan and future developments in the PGP.