Family reunification is a longstanding objective of Canada’s immigration system. Through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and persons registered under the Canadian Indian Act may sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence in Canada.
On July 15, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it is pausing the intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program. While applications already in the system will continue to be processed, IRCC will not accept new interest to sponsor forms or issue new invitations to apply until further notice.
For individuals who were hoping to sponsor a parent or grandparent, this announcement means they will need to wait for further updates from IRCC before they can begin the sponsorship process.
Commentary from Ravi Jain
Commenting on IRCC’s announcement, Ravi Jain, Founder of Jain Immigration Law, said the pause reflects broader changes to Canada’s immigration system over the past several years.
“Canada no longer has a federal entrepreneur program, there is currently no permanent residence pathway for caregivers, and people who have been waiting since 2020 for the opportunity to sponsor their parents are now shut out for at least another two years.
IRCC is planning to admit up to 15,000 people through the Parents and Grandparents Program in 2026 while continuing to process an existing inventory of approximately 54,000 applications. Whether the current pause continues beyond this period remains to be seen.
These changes must also be viewed in the broader context of Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan, which reduced permanent residence admissions after the temporary resident population grew significantly over the past decade.
As permanent residence allocations have been reduced, several immigration pathways that are important to Canadians and permanent residents have been paused or remain unavailable. Many highly skilled immigrants who came to Canada with the expectation that they would eventually be able to sponsor their parents may understandably find these developments disappointing.”
These concerns highlight the broader impact that reduced permanent residence allocations can have on family reunification and other immigration pathways.
What Has Changed?
According to IRCC, the Government of Canada is pausing the intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program as part of its efforts to maintain a well-managed and sustainable immigration system.
IRCC will continue processing existing applications and plans to approve up to 15,000 people for permanent residence through the Parents and Grandparents Program in 2026, consistent with the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan. IRCC states that this approach is intended to help reduce processing times and improve predictability for families.
IRCC also notes that demand for the Parents and Grandparents Program continues to exceed the number of available spaces. As a result, the department will not accept new interest to sponsor forms or invite potential sponsors to apply until further notice.
Individuals who have not already received an invitation from IRCC cannot submit a new sponsorship application at this time.
Who Is Affected?
The pause primarily affects Canadian citizens and permanent residents who intended to sponsor their parents or grandparents but have not yet received an invitation from IRCC.
Those who were planning to participate in a future intake will need to wait for further announcements from IRCC regarding the Parents and Grandparents Program.
The pause does not affect applications that were submitted before the announcement. IRCC has confirmed that those applications will continue to be processed.
What Options Are Still Available?
Although IRCC has paused the intake of new Parents and Grandparents Program applications, there are still important options and processes available.
First, the pause does not affect applications that were submitted before the announcement. IRCC has confirmed that it will continue processing those applications.
Second, if IRCC resumes accepting new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program in the future, prospective sponsors will need to meet the applicable eligibility requirements. These include receiving an invitation from IRCC to apply, meeting the minimum necessary income requirements, and signing the required undertaking.
Finally, the Government of Canada continues to support family reunification through the Super Visa.
The Super Visa Remains Available
For families wishing to spend extended time together while the Parents and Grandparents Program remains paused, the Super Visa continues to be available for eligible applicants.
According to IRCC, the Super Visa allows eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time and provides multiple entries for a period of up to 10 years.
The Super Visa is a temporary resident visa. It allows eligible parents and grandparents to visit Canada for extended periods but does not provide permanent resident status.
IRCC has also announced changes to the Super Visa income calculation and health insurance requirements to make the program more accessible to eligible families. Applicants must continue to meet the current eligibility requirements established by IRCC, including the applicable financial and medical insurance requirements.
What Should Families Do Now?
While there is currently no intake for new Parents and Grandparents Program applications, individuals interested in sponsoring their parents or grandparents should continue monitoring IRCC’s official website for future announcements regarding the program.
Families who may be eligible for the Super Visa should review the program requirements to determine whether it is an appropriate temporary option while waiting for further updates regarding the Parents and Grandparents Program.
Conclusion
IRCC’s decision to pause the intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program means that individuals hoping to sponsor a parent or grandparent will need to wait before they can begin the application process. While existing applications will continue to be processed, no new interest to sponsor forms will be accepted and no new invitations to apply will be issued until further notice.
For families seeking to reunite with loved ones, staying informed about future IRCC announcements and understanding the available options, including the Super Visa, will be important while the current pause remains in effect.
Contact Jain Immigration Law
If you have questions about the Parents and Grandparents Program, the Super Visa, family sponsorship, or any other Canadian immigration matter, the experienced team at Jain Immigration Law is here to help.
Jain Immigration Law
Phone: +1 (416) 548-5533
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.jainimmigrationlaw.com