Canada has officially paused new applications under its Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). This means the pathway for citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence has been closed until further notice.
The decision was announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on July 15, 2026. While no new interest-to-sponsor forms will be accepted, and no invitation rounds will be held unless the federal government changes its policy, existing applications already in the system will continue to be processed. The government has set a target of admitting 15,000 parents and grandparents through the PGP in 2026.Officials have not indicated when or if the program will reopen.
This change is expected to improve processing efficiency and also reduce application backlogs. Even though the permanent residence sponsorship route is now closed to new applicants, families can still reunite temporarily through Canada's Super Visa program. The Super Visa program allows eligible parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for extended periods as long-term visitors.
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