The federal government announced on 15th July 2026 that this week it will not accept any new applications from the people who want to sponsor their parents and grandparents to come to Canada as permanent residents.
This program is meant to promote reunification between parents and grandparents. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said it is an effort to create a well-organized, sustainable immigration system.
Existing applications in the inventory will continue to be processed; there are approximately 50,900 applications, and the waiting time is around 33 months, or up to 66 months in Quebec.
The Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program was introduced in 2020, when more than 200,000 permanent residents showed their interest in sponsoring a grandparent or parent to come to Canada.
IRCC plans to allow up to 15,000 people for permanent residence under a similar program in 2026, and it will continue till 2028 as part of the government’s immigration levels plan.
Is the Super Visa Now the Only Option?
Yes, for many families, Super Visa is the only option.
The Canadian government is directing applicants towards the Canada Super Visa, which allows grandparents and parents to visit Canada and meet their children for up to five years at a time without any renewal and allows multiple entries for up to 10 years.
The Super Visa is really beneficial, but it is not the same as permanent residence.
Parents who wish to arrive on a Super Visa cannot have the same opportunities or access as permanent residents.
People will remain temporary residents and will continue to meet program requirements. For many immigrant families, especially those who wish to care for their aging parents, who rely on grandparents for childcare, the practical and emotional difference is important.
Requirements for the Parent and Grandparent Program
To qualify for the Parent and Grandparent Program, the sponsor as well as the person being sponsored must fulfill some requirements for Sponsor has to fulfill the requirements like:
- Fulfill specific income requirements.
- Financially support the sponsored individual/s and their dependents.
- Be a Permanent Resident or Citizen of Canada.
The individual and the sponsor must sign an agreement for sponsorship:
Requires sponsors to offer financial support to the sponsored individuals and any eligible kin accompanying family members for a period of 3 to 20 years, depending on their relationship and
age to the sponsor.
The Permanent residents who wish to Immigrate to Canada have to make reasonable efforts to become self-sufficient.
The Province of Quebec has some other eligibility requirements for the Parents and Grandparents Program. An undertaking has to be signed by Quebec residents with the Quebec Province. It is an agreement that affirms the sponsorship.
The IRCC government said that the pause on accepting new applications will continue until further notice.
The existing application inventory consists of 40,400 applications from those intending to settle outside Quebec and 10,500 from those intending to settle within Quebec.
Source: canada.ca
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