Canada Parents and Grandparents Program Paused: What Families Need to Know
If you were planning to sponsor your parents or grandparents for permanent residence in Canada, the news from July 15, 2026 is significant. On that date, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada officially announced the pause of new intake under the Parents and Grandparents Program. No new interest to sponsor forms will be accepted and no new invitations to apply will be issued until further notice.
This decision affects thousands of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who had been waiting for the next opportunity to begin sponsoring their parents or grandparents for permanent residence. The announcement provides no specific reopening date. It comes as IRCC cited ongoing imbalance between the demand for PGP spaces and the number of spots available under Canada's 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
This blog explains exactly what the pause means, why it happened, what happens to applications already in the system, and what your best options are right now if your plan to reunite your family includes the PGP.
Not sure how this pause affects your family's immigration plan? Book a consultation with iCA Immigration and Talent Services today and get clarity from a licensed RCIC.
https://www.ica-immigration.ca/book-a-consultation
What IRCC Announced on July 15, 2026
The official canada.ca notice published on July 15, 2026 states the following directly. The Government of Canada is taking steps to maintain a well-managed, sustainable immigration system. As part of these efforts, IRCC is pausing the intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program. IRCC will continue to process existing applications and plans to approve up to 15,000 people for permanent residence through the PGP in 2026, in line with the 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
IRCC's stated rationale is that this approach will help reduce processing times and improve predictability for families. The notice also confirmed that interest in the PGP continues to exceed the spaces available under the levels plan and that the pause is intended to manage this pressure responsibly.
What the Pause Means in Practice
Three things are now confirmed under this pause. First, IRCC will not accept new interest to sponsor forms from Canadian citizens or permanent residents who want to sponsor their parents or grandparents. Second, IRCC will not issue new invitations to apply to sponsors from the existing pool of interest to sponsor forms. Third, there is no announced date for when the program will reopen.
What is not affected: existing applications that were submitted following a valid invitation to apply continue to be processed. If your PGP application is already in the system with IRCC, the pause does not cancel your application or change the processing rules that apply to your file.
Why IRCC Paused the PGP
The Parents and Grandparents Program has historically operated under significant demand pressure. The number of Canadians who want to sponsor a parent or grandparent has consistently and substantially exceeded the number of spots IRCC allocates to this category under its annual immigration levels plan.
IRCC manages this imbalance through a controlled intake process where interest to sponsor forms are accepted from a limited pool and invitations to apply are issued in rounds rather than on an ongoing basis. The last time IRCC accepted new interest to sponsor forms was in the fall of 2025, when invitations were sent from a 2020 pool of registrants. That intake accepted up to 10,636 complete applications.
The 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan allocates 21,500 PGP admissions in 2026 and 20,000 in 2027, both below the 24,500 target set for 2025. The reduction in allocated spaces, combined with a substantial existing inventory of applications already waiting for processing, created conditions where IRCC concluded the most responsible path was to pause new intake entirely while working through the existing backlog.
As of July 31, 2025, the PGP processing inventory held approximately 55,705 persons. With a 2026 admission target of 21,500, IRCC already had more than two years of inventory to work through at that target before new applications would even enter the processing queue in a meaningful timeframe.
Processing times for the PGP have improved under this approach. As of the August 10, 2026 IRCC processing times update, PGP applications are processing at approximately 29 months for applicants destined outside Quebec, down from 36 months as of August 2025.
The Super Visa: The Recommended Alternative While PGP Is Paused
IRCC's official notice confirmed that family reunification remains an important pillar of Canada's immigration system and specifically pointed to the super visa as the available pathway for parents and grandparents to be with their families in Canada during the pause.
The super visa is a multi-entry visa specifically designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It is not a permanent residence pathway. It does not lead to PR on its own. But it allows extended, meaningful time together in Canada while the PGP remains unavailable.
What the Super Visa Offers
Unlike a standard visitor visa which typically allows stays of up to 6 months, the super visa allows parents and grandparents to remain in Canada for up to 5 years on a single entry. The visa itself is valid for up to 10 years with multiple entries, meaning parents and grandparents can travel back and forth between Canada and their home country for up to a decade without needing to reapply for the visa each time.
To qualify for a super visa, the parent or grandparent must meet standard admissibility requirements and the Canadian child or grandchild who is the host must meet a minimum income threshold based on their family size, demonstrate that the visiting parent has valid Canadian health insurance for at least one year at a time, and provide a letter of invitation.
Changes to the Super Visa That Make It More Accessible
IRCC's July 15, 2026 notice specifically highlighted two recent changes that make the super visa more accessible than it was previously.
The first change relates to the income requirement. The income threshold used to determine whether a Canadian host qualifies to invite a parent or grandparent has been updated under the Reuniting Families Act to provide additional flexibilities for hosts in Canada. The calculation method for meeting the Low-Income Cut-Off has been adjusted to make it easier for more Canadian families to meet the threshold.
The second change relates to health insurance. IRCC updated the health insurance requirement for super visa applicants to make it more accessible, including changes to what types of coverage are accepted.
Super Visa Processing Times by Country
Super visa processing times vary significantly by country. Based on the most recent IRCC processing data, approximate current timelines include approximately 33 days for the Philippines, 35 days for Nigeria, 70 days for Pakistan, 96 days for the United States, and 112 days for India.
These figures represent IRCC's processing time for the super visa application once submitted. They do not include time needed to gather documentation, arrange health insurance, or wait for mail. If you want your parents or grandparents to be in Canada before the end of 2026, submitting their super visa applications now is important given these variable processing timelines.
Every family situation is unique. Before making any decisions about your options under the PGP pause, speak with Jennifer Johnson, RCIC at iCA Immigration and Talent Services to review what is best for your specific circumstances.
https://www.ica-immigration.ca/book-a-consultation
What This Means for Families in Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario has a significant proportion of newcomer families, many of whom have parents and grandparents still living in their home countries. For Filipino families in Sault Ste. Marie, Indian families in Sudbury, Nigerian communities across the region, and families from dozens of other backgrounds, the PGP has been a long-anticipated pathway to permanent family reunification.
The pause is a disappointment for many Northern Ontario families who had been waiting for the next intake. But the super visa provides a meaningful near-term option that is faster to access than PGP permanent residence has ever been in recent years. A parent who obtains a super visa can be in Canada within weeks or months of applying, while PGP permanent residence processing is currently estimated at 29 months even for existing applications.
For families where a parent or grandparent provides childcare, supports a working family member in their immigration journey, or simply needs to be closer to family during a health challenge, the super visa's 5-year single-entry validity is a practical and valuable option during the PGP pause.
It is also worth noting that the Reuniting Families Act changes to the income requirement for the super visa may now make it accessible to families who previously could not meet the financial threshold. This is worth reviewing with a licensed RCIC given that the updated income calculation applies to current applications.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming the PGP will reopen on a predictable schedule
IRCC's notice says the pause will continue until further notice. There is no announced reopening date. Planning major family decisions around an expected PGP reopening that has not been confirmed is risky.
Not exploring the super visa because it is not permanent residence
The super visa is not permanent residence and it does not lead to PR by itself. But it allows your parent or grandparent to be in Canada for up to 5 years at a time. For many families the ability to be together for an extended period is the priority right now, regardless of the PR status distinction.
Assuming your existing PGP application is cancelled
If your application is already with IRCC following a valid invitation, the pause does not cancel it. IRCC has confirmed it will continue processing existing applications and plans 21,500 PGP admissions in 2026. However, processing times remain lengthy so keep your application file updated and respond promptly to any IRCC requests.
Using the wrong income calculation for the super visa application
The Reuniting Families Act updated the income calculation method for the super visa. Using the old calculation could lead families to incorrectly conclude they do not qualify, or to submit applications with inaccurate income documentation. Verify the current income threshold and calculation method on canada.ca before applying.
Not securing health insurance before applying
The super visa requires valid Canadian health insurance for at least one year from the date of entry, purchased before the visa is approved. Many applicants delay arranging insurance and then find their application is held up. Arrange insurance as part of the application preparation, not after approval.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Canada's immigration rules change frequently and the situation facing families who hoped to sponsor a parent or grandparent requires a careful review of what is actually available right now. Whether you want to understand the super visa option, check the status of an existing PGP application, or simply understand what the pause means for your family's timeline, professional guidance from a licensed RCIC is the most important step you can take.
Jennifer Johnson is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC #R709916) based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, serving clients across Northern Ontario and beyond.
Book your consultation today:
https://www.ica-immigration.ca/book-a-consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I still apply to sponsor my parents or grandparents for permanent residence in Canada?
A: No. As of July 15, 2026, IRCC has paused intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program. No new interest to sponsor forms are being accepted and no new invitations to apply are being issued until further notice. IRCC has not announced a reopening date. If you want to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada while the PGP is paused, the super visa is the recommended alternative. Contact iCA Immigration and Talent Services to discuss your options.
Q: What is the super visa and how is it different from sponsoring a parent for permanent residence?
A: The super visa is a multi-entry temporary visitor visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It allows stays of up to 5 years per entry and is valid for multiple entries over up to 10 years. Unlike the PGP, the super visa does not lead to permanent residence. It is a temporary status that allows extended family visits while the PGP remains unavailable. IRCC recently made the super visa more accessible through changes to the income threshold and health insurance requirements under the Reuniting Families Act. Contact iCA Immigration and Talent Services to assess whether you and your parent qualify for the super visa under the updated requirements.
Q: What happens to my PGP application that is already with IRCC?
A: The pause applies only to new intake. IRCC has confirmed that existing applications submitted following a valid invitation to apply will continue to be processed. IRCC plans to approve up to 21,500 people for permanent residence through the PGP in 2026 under the current levels plan. If your application is already in the system, keep your information updated, respond promptly to any IRCC requests, and monitor your application status through your IRCC secure account. Contact iCA Immigration and Talent Services if you have questions about your existing file.
Q: How long will the PGP pause last?
A: IRCC's July 15, 2026 notice states the pause will continue until further notice. No reopening date has been announced. IRCC has historically paused and reopened the PGP on its own timeline based on inventory levels and admission targets in the Immigration Levels Plan. Planning your family's future around a specific reopening date that has not been announced is not advisable. Monitor the official canada.ca PGP program page for any updates and book a consultation with iCA Immigration and Talent Services to plan your strategy while the program remains closed.
Q: Can my parent or grandparent stay in Canada long-term while the PGP is paused?
A: Yes, through the super visa. The super visa allows parents and grandparents to remain in Canada for up to 5 years on a single entry and provides multiple entries for up to 10 years. It requires valid Canadian health insurance for at least one year at a time and the Canadian host must meet the updated income threshold under the Reuniting Families Act. The super visa does not lead to permanent residence on its own. Processing times vary significantly by country from approximately 33 days for the Philippines to 112 days for India. Contact iCA Immigration and Talent Services to assess whether the super visa is the right option for your parent or grandparent and to ensure your application is prepared correctly.
References
All information in this blog has been verified against official Canadian government sources as of August 18, 2026.
- Government of Canada, Canada Takes Steps to Responsibly Manage the Parents and Grandparents Program (July 15, 2026)
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/responsibly-manage-parent-grandparent-program.html - Government of Canada, Sponsor Your Parents and Grandparents: How to Apply
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/sponsor-parents-grandparents/apply.html - Government of Canada, Parent and Grandparent Super Visa
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/parent-grandparent-super-visa.html - Government of Canada, Changes to Parents and Grandparents Super Visa Income Requirement
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/changes-parents-grandparents-super-visa-income-requirement-calculated.html - Government of Canada, 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan Supplementary Information
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/corporate-initiatives/levels/supplementary-immigration-levels-2026-2028.html
Note: Immigration policies change frequently. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we recommend verifying current requirements at canada.ca or booking a consultation with a licensed RCIC before making any immigration decisions.
