IRCC officially paused new Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) interest-to-sponsor forms as of July 15, 2026. No new invitations are going out for now, but existing applications keep moving, and IRCC still plans to finalize up to 15,000 PGP permanent residences in 2026. The Super Visa remains fully open for visits.
What Does It Mean That the PGP Program Is ‘Paused’?
A pause is not a cancellation. IRCC has stopped accepting new interest-to-sponsor forms and is not issuing fresh invitations to apply until further notice. Think of it as the department closing the front door for a while, not shutting down the building.
The reason is simple. Interest in the PGP has consistently outpaced the number of spots set aside under the Immigration Levels Plan. Rather than let processing times balloon or make promises it cannot keep, IRCC has chosen to manage the queue it already has before opening the door to more names.
Will my Existing PGP Application Still Move Forward?
Yes. If you already submitted an interest-to-sponsor form, received an invitation, or have a file in the system, that file stays active. IRCC has confirmed it will keep processing existing applications and intends to welcome up to 15,000 parents and grandparents as permanent residents in 2026, in line with the 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
In practice, this pause is aimed at people who have not yet entered the system, not at families already mid-process. If you are one of those families, the honest answer from ImmigCanada is: keep your documents current, respond quickly to any IRCC request, and be patient.
Can I Still Bring My Parents or Grandparents to Canada Right Now?
Absolutely. The Super Visa is untouched by this pause and remains the fastest practical route for a visit. It allows a parent or grandparent to stay for up to five years at a time, with multiple entries permitted over as long as ten years.
IRCC has also made the Super Visa easier to qualify for recently, adjusting how the minimum income requirement is calculated and loosening the health insurance rules. For many families, a Super Visa now covers the gap left by the PGP pause almost entirely, letting grandparents be present for milestones without waiting years for permanent residence.
Source: IRCC Pauses the Parents and Grandparents Program in Canada
Why Is Canada Managing the PGP Program This Way?
Canada’s immigration system works best when it is predictable. When far more people express interest in a program than there are spaces available, processing times stretch, applicants wait in uncertainty, and the system loses credibility. IRCC’s stated goal with this pause is to reduce processing times and improve predictability, so that when the program reopens to new applicants, it does so on firmer footing.
It is worth remembering that family reunification remains a stated pillar of Canadian immigration policy. This pause is a management decision, not a retreat from that commitment.
What Should Families Do While the PGP Program Is Paused?
First, do not panic and do not let anyone convince you a paused program means a lost opportunity forever. Second, if a Super Visa fits your family’s timeline, start that application now rather than waiting. Third, if you already have a PGP file in process, this is a good moment to have a professional review it for gaps before IRCC asks a question that could slow you down.
ImmigCanada is tracking this file closely and will publish an update the moment IRCC reopens the interest-to-sponsor pool.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. IRCC describes this as a pause, not a cancellation. The program is expected to reopen once processing catches up, though no reopening date has been announced.
No. IRCC is not accepting new interest-to-sponsor forms during the pause. Existing forms already in the system remain valid.
IRCC still plans to grant permanent residence to up to 15,000 parents and grandparents in 2026, in line with the current Immigration Levels Plan.
No. A Super Visa allows stays of up to five years at a time, with re-entry permitted for up to ten years total, without the need to renew status each visit.
Yes. IRCC recently updated how it calculates the minimum income requirement for sponsors, which has made the Super Visa more accessible for many families.
Yes. Families who prepare their sponsor and dependent documentation now will be in the strongest position to apply immediately once IRCC reopens the intake.
Not sure whether a Super Visa or a future PGP application is the right move for your family? Book a consultation with an ImmigCanada RCIC today.