Canada suspends new Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship applications until further notice

The Canadian government has temporarily stopped accepting new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP). The decision applies to everyone, including Pakistani-origin Canadian citizens and permanent residents, until further notice.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the move has been taken to control the growing number of applications and reduce pressure on the immigration system. However, applications that have already been submitted will continue to be processed as usual.

The department said it will not accept new “Interest to Sponsor” forms for now. It also confirmed that no new invitations will be sent to people who want to sponsor their parents or grandparents.

Immigration officials said their main focus is now on clearing the existing backlog of applications. The government has set a target to approve permanent residency for 15,000 people through pending cases under the program during 2026.

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The Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program is one of Canada’s most popular immigration pathways. It allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents, grandparents, or both, so they can become permanent residents of Canada.

The Canadian government also clarified that families who still want to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada can apply for a Super Visa instead.

A Super Visa does not provide permanent residency, but it allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for an extended period and spend more time with their families.

Immigration experts believe Canada is gradually tightening its immigration policies because of increasing pressure on housing, public services and infrastructure. They say this temporary suspension is part of those broader efforts to better manage immigration.