In a significant announcement, the Government of Canada has confirmed that the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) will not be accepting new applications in 2025. This decision marks a temporary pause in one of Canada’s key family reunification initiatives, affecting thousands of hopeful families seeking to bring their loved ones to Canada.
About the Parents and Grandparents Program
The Parents and Grandparents Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence. The program has been a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration framework, aiming to promote family reunification and provide support systems for immigrants.
Reasoning Behind the Decision
IRCC has cut the permanent resident targets by 20% for 2025. Part of this cut also included a reduction in the allocation for landings under the PGP.
The 2025 target is 24,500 landings for foreign nationals sponsored through the PGP.
In the earlier Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC had set targets of 32,000 for 2024, and 34,000 for 2025.
Impact on Applicants
Families who were planning to submit applications in 2025 will need to explore alternative pathways for bringing their parents and grandparents to Canada. Options such as the Super Visa, which allows extended temporary visits for up to five years at a time, remain available. The government has reassured families that the Super Visa program will continue to operate without interruption.
The temporary suspension of new applications for the Parents and Grandparents Program in 2025 reflects ongoing efforts to enhance the immigration system’s efficiency. While this may delay reunification plans for some families, the government’s commitment to managing current applications and expanding alternative options remains steadfast. For those affected, keeping up to date with announcements from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will be essential.
