On July 15, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a pause on receiving new sponsorship applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).
For families who were hopeful in bringing their loved ones to Canada and yet to enter this family sponsorship program, the news can seem devastating, but if you try to dive more into it, the headline is in fact not as intimidating as the practical effect it tries to impose.
Why IRCC Paused New PGP Applications
Pausing new Parents and Grandparents sponsorship applications is a measure that is more about improving the system and less about scaling back family reunification programs in Canada’s immigration system.
With IRCC receiving more than 200,000 interest forms from sponsors since its launch in 2020, the PGP program is now oversubscribed, as every year thousands of applicants express their interest to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada.
The pause, which is in effect until further notice, will allow IRCC to work on the backlog of applications in the queue. At the time of writing, there were 65,000 applications in progress with processing times spanning 33 months and up to 66 months for those destined for Quebec.
What This Pause Does and Doesn’t Change
IRCC still expects to approve 15,000 people for permanent residence through the Parents and Grandparents Program in 2026 and 2027 as part of the immigration levels plan, so the pause applies specifically to new applications only.
The Super Visa as a Current Alternative
A realistic alternative for anyone weighing their options for bringing a parent or grandparent to Canada in the next year or two is to consider a Super Visa.
The Super Visa is a temporary resident visa, not a path to permanent residence. Still, it can allow your parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for five years in one visit with 10-year visa validity.
Conclusion
Given the size of the current backlog and the multi-year approval targets already in place, families looking to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada should start planning alternative immigration strategies given the uncertainties surrounding this program.
For support with exploring an immigration strategy that is tailored to your needs, book a consultation with our team of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants today to secure your future in Canada.
The Team at Northern Connections Canada
