Canada has announced a significant update to its Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). On July 15, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed that it is pausing the intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program until further notice.
The decision is part of the federal government's efforts to maintain a well-managed and sustainable immigration system while improving processing efficiency.
No New PGP Applications Will Be Accepted
According to IRCC, the department will not accept new Interest to Sponsor forms or issue new invitations to apply under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) until further notice.
The government stated that demand for the program continues to exceed the number of spaces available under Canada's immigration levels plan. As a result, the pause is intended to help manage application volumes responsibly.
Existing Applications Will Continue to Be Processed
While new applications are on hold, IRCC confirmed that it will continue processing applications that have already been submitted.
As outlined in the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada plans to approve up to 15,000 people for permanent residence through the Parents and Grandparents Program in 2026.
The government says this approach is expected to reduce processing times and provide greater predictability for applicants and their families.
Family Reunification Remains a Priority
Despite the temporary pause, family reunification continues to remain an important part of Canada immigration policy.
Parents and grandparents can still visit their children and grandchildren in Canada through the Canada Super Visa.
The Super Visa allows eligible parents and grandparents to:
IRCC also noted that it has recently introduced changes to make the Canada Super Visa more accessible by updating the income requirements and health insurance requirements.
Why Has Canada Paused New Applications?
The government explained that interest in the Parents and Grandparents Program continues to be significantly higher than the number of available sponsorship spaces under Canada's immigration levels plan.
To manage this demand responsibly, IRCC has decided not to accept new sponsorship interest forms or issue invitations until further notice.
What This Means for Applicants
Individuals who have already submitted Parents and Grandparents Program applications will continue to have their files processed.
However, those hoping to submit a new sponsorship application or receive an invitation under the PGP will need to wait until IRCC announces that the program has reopened for new intake.
In the meantime, eligible parents and grandparents who wish to spend extended periods with their family in Canada may consider the Canada Super Visa, which continues to remain available.
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