On This Page You Will Find
- Why Canada has paused new Parents and Grandparents Program applications
- Who is affected by the announcement
- What happens to applications already in processing
- Whether people already in the sponsor pool still have an advantage
- Why family immigration spaces are under pressure
- How the Super Visa compares with permanent residence sponsorship
- What families should do while the program remains paused
- Frequently asked questions
Families hoping to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence in Canada have received another setback.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed it will not accept new Interest to Sponsor forms or issue new invitations under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) until further notice.
Instead, the department will continue processing applications already in its system, with a target of welcoming up to 15,000 new permanent residents through the program during 2026.
For families waiting for an opportunity to sponsor parents, the announcement means there is currently no way to enter the program for the first time. As a result, many will now need to consider Canada’s Super Visa as the only practical option for bringing parents and grandparents to Canada in the near term.
Who Is Affected?
The pause affects anyone who has not already been invited to apply under the Parents and Grandparents Program.
This includes people who:
- Have never submitted an Interest to Sponsor form.
- Were waiting for a new intake to open.
- Planned to sponsor parents or grandparents during 2026.
The announcement does not affect applicants whose sponsorship applications are already being processed.
Existing Applications Will Continue To Be Processed
The latest announcement does not stop the processing of applications already in the system.
IRCC says it will continue working through existing files while aiming to admit up to 15,000 people through the Parents and Grandparents Program in 2026.
If you have already submitted a complete application after receiving an invitation in a previous intake, your application remains active. Processing times will continue to depend on factors such as application completeness, background checks and medical examinations.
Does The Existing Sponsor Pool Still Have An Advantage?
Possibly – but there are no guarantees.
In recent years, IRCC has repeatedly issued invitations from the existing pool of Interest to Sponsor forms submitted in 2020 rather than opening the program to new applicants.
The latest announcement confirms there will be no new invitations for now, but it does not say whether future invitations will again come from that same pool.
People who submitted an Interest to Sponsor form during the 2020 intake therefore still have a potential advantage because they remain in the existing pool if they have not already been invited.
However, until IRCC announces its future plans, nobody should assume new invitations will be issued or that the existing pool will continue to be used.
Why Has Canada Paused The Program?
The pause reflects growing pressure on Canada’s immigration system.
The federal government has reduced overall permanent resident admissions under the latest Immigration Levels Plan while also seeking to reduce application inventories and processing times.
With fewer family-class admissions available, IRCC is prioritising processing applications already received rather than accepting thousands of new ones.
That approach helps prevent backlogs from growing even larger while allowing the department to meet its annual admissions targets.
What Does ‘Until Further Notice’ Actually Mean?
Many applicants find this phrase frustrating because it does not include a timeline.
In practical terms, “until further notice” means there is currently:
- No date for a new intake.
- No date for new Interest to Sponsor submissions.
- No commitment to issue future invitations.
- No guarantee the program will reopen in 2026 or even 2027.
IRCC could announce changes at any time, but families should not make plans based on expectations of a reopening.
Instead, they should prepare for a potentially lengthy wait.
Is The Super Visa Now The Best Alternative?
For many families, yes.
Unlike the Parents and Grandparents Program, the Super Visa remains open throughout the year.
It allows eligible parents and grandparents to visit Canada for extended periods without becoming permanent residents.
The Super Visa generally offers:
- Multiple entries over up to 10 years.
- Extended stays of up to five years per visit, with the possibility of extensions.
- No annual intake cap similar to the Parents and Grandparents Program.
Applicants must still satisfy eligibility requirements, including medical insurance and financial support from their Canadian child or grandchild.
Although it does not provide permanent resident status, it offers families a practical way to spend significant time together while waiting for future sponsorship opportunities.
What Should Families Do Now?
The latest announcement means families should focus on preparation rather than waiting for immediate changes.
Practical steps include:
1. Consider Whether A Super Visa Meets Your Needs
If your priority is having parents or grandparents spend extended time in Canada, the Super Visa may provide a workable solution while permanent residence sponsorship remains unavailable.
2. Keep Financial Documents Up To Date
Sponsors should continue maintaining records of income and tax filings, since future sponsorship opportunities will still require proof that minimum income requirements have been met.
3. Monitor Future IRCC Announcements
The government has not ruled out reopening the program. Future immigration plans or policy changes could lead to new invitations or an entirely different intake process.
4. Make Sure Parents Have Valid Passports
Keeping travel documents current will make it easier to apply for a Super Visa or respond quickly if sponsorship opportunities eventually return.
5. Avoid Assuming A Reopening Is Imminent
There is currently no indication of when new applications will be accepted. Families should base their plans on existing programs rather than speculation.
The Bottom Line
Canada’s latest announcement effectively closes the Parents and Grandparents Program to new applicants for the foreseeable future.
Existing applications will continue to move through the system, but families hoping to submit a new sponsorship application now have no pathway into the program.
Until IRCC announces a reopening or introduces a new intake process, the Super Visa is likely to remain the most realistic option for parents and grandparents wishing to spend extended periods with family in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Canada cancelled the Parents and Grandparents Program?
No. The program still exists, and IRCC will continue processing applications already received. However, it is not accepting new Interest to Sponsor forms or issuing new invitations until further notice, meaning new applicants currently have no way to enter the program.
What happens if my parent sponsorship application is already being processed?
If you already received an invitation and submitted a complete application, IRCC will continue processing it. The pause applies only to new sponsorship opportunities and does not affect existing applications that are already in the department’s inventory.
Can I still submit a new Interest to Sponsor form?
No. IRCC has suspended acceptance of new Interest to Sponsor forms. Unless the department announces a future intake, there is currently no way for first-time sponsors to enter the Parents and Grandparents Program.
Is the Super Visa replacing parent sponsorship?
No. The Super Visa is a temporary resident program, not a permanent residence pathway. However, with parent sponsorship paused, it has become the main option for families wishing to bring parents and grandparents to Canada for extended visits.
Will the Parents and Grandparents Program reopen?
Nobody knows. IRCC has only said the pause will remain in place until further notice. The department could announce a reopening, a new intake process or further policy changes in the future, but there is currently no timetable.