Canada Will Not Accept New Applications for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship in 2025

The Canadian federal government has announced it will not accept new applications for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) in 2025, signaling a shift toward addressing the backlog of existing sponsorship applications. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed that only applications submitted in 2024 will be processed in the upcoming year, with a cap set at 15,000 sponsorships.

The PGP enables Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency. However, due to an overwhelming number of interested sponsors, IRCC employs a lottery system to select applicants from those who submit an interest-to-sponsor form.

Between 2020 and 2024, IRCC issued invitations exclusively to sponsors who had filed interest forms during the 2020 intake. The department’s 2025 focus will remain on processing these pending applications rather than initiating a new round of sponsorship opportunities.

For Canadians wishing to bring their parents and grandparents to the country, the super visa remains a viable option. This visa allows relatives to stay in Canada for up to five years per visit and offers a renewable path for extended family reunification.

The decision to pause new applications aligns with broader reductions in immigration targets for 2025. The federal government has slashed permanent resident targets by 20% compared to earlier projections, impacting various immigration categories, including the PGP.

Under the revised Immigration Levels Plan, the target for foreign nationals obtaining permanent residency through the PGP is now set at 24,500 landings for 2025. This is a significant reduction from the previously anticipated 34,000, as outlined in the 2023 plan. In contrast, the target for 2024 remains higher at 32,000.

This year’s Immigration Levels Plan marks the first to include targets for net new temporary residents alongside permanent residents, reflecting a nuanced approach to balancing Canada’s immigration needs. While the reduced PGP targets and paused applications may disappoint prospective sponsors, IRCC appears intent on addressing operational constraints and backlog issues.

The move has drawn mixed reactions from stakeholders. While some applaud the focus on clearing backlogs, others express concern over the limited opportunities for family reunification under the PGP. Advocates suggest that alternative pathways, such as expanding the super visa program, may help bridge the gap.

For Canadian families eager to reconnect with loved ones, 2025 may prove to be a challenging year. However, IRCC’s strategic adjustments aim to ensure a more efficient immigration process in the long term.

By implementing these changes, Canada continues to navigate the complexities of maintaining its reputation as an inclusive destination while addressing practical challenges in immigration management.