The Canadian government has confirmed that the Parents and Grandparents Program 2025 will not be open for new applications at any point during the year. Instead, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will focus its efforts on processing sponsorship applications received in 2024. For 2025, IRCC has set a maximum limit of 15,000 sponsorship applications to be processed under this program, aligning with revised immigration priorities.
Alternative for Families: The Super Visa
Canadian citizens and permanent residents still have an alternative option to reunite with their parents and grandparents in Canada. The super visa allows extended family visits of up to five years at a time. This remains a viable alternative for families impacted by the pause on new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program 2025.
Why the Pause?
The decision to suspend new applications stems from reduced immigration targets for 2025. Under the latest Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC decreased the allocation for landings under the Parents and Grandparents Program 2025 to 24,500. This marks a significant drop compared to the 2024 target of 32,000 and the 2023 projection of 34,000.
Understanding the Parents and Grandparents Program
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency in Canada. Due to the high demand for this program and the limited number of available spots, a lottery system is used to select applicants. The most recent invitations to apply were extended to individuals who submitted their interest to sponsor form in 2020. These applications have been processed over a span of several years, from 2020 to 2024, ensuring that the program remains manageable while accommodating eligible sponsors.
What is the Immigration Levels Plan?
Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan outlines annual targets for permanent resident landings and provisional figures for subsequent years. For 2025, it introduced a new focus on net new temporary residents while adjusting permanent resident targets downward.
Key Numbers for 2025
- PGP Sponsorships: Limited to 15,000 applications submitted in 2024.
- PGP Landings: Target set at 24,500, down from 32,000 in 2024.
Conclusion
This suspension underscores the evolving priorities in Canada’s immigration strategy. While the pause on new Parents and Grandparents Program 2025 applications may be disappointing to many, the super visa offers a valuable alternative for families wishing to reunite in Canada. For tailored support and professional advice, feel free to contact us.
