Key Takeaways
- The Parents and Grandparents Program is currently paused.
- IRCC is not accepting new interest-to-sponsor forms.
- No new invitations to apply will be issued until further notice.
- Applications already submitted will continue to be processed.
- Canada plans to admit up to 15,000 people through the program in 2026.
- Families who cannot apply through the program may consider the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa.
- IRCC has not announced when a new sponsorship intake will open.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents hoping to sponsor their parents or grandparents will need to continue waiting for a new intake. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has paused new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program Canada until further notice.
IRCC will not accept new interest-to-sponsor forms or invite additional potential sponsors to apply while the pause remains in place. Applications already submitted will continue to be processed, and the government plans to admit up to 15,000 people through the program in 2026.
Why Has Canada Paused New Applications?
The number of people interested in sponsoring parents and grandparents continues to exceed the spaces available under Canada’s annual immigration targets. IRCC says the pause is intended to help manage existing inventory, reduce processing times, and make outcomes more predictable for families.
Ministerial instructions that took effect on January 1, 2026, allowed IRCC to accept up to 10,000 applications associated with the 2025 intake for processing during 2026. Those instructions also prevented the department from accepting new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications until further directions were issued.
In July 2026, IRCC confirmed that the pause would continue. The government has not provided a date for reopening the program.
What Happens to Existing Applications?
The pause does not mean that IRCC has stopped processing every Parents and Grandparents Program application. Files that were properly submitted through an earlier intake will continue to move through the immigration process.
IRCC plans to approve up to 15,000 parents and grandparents for permanent residence in 2026, in accordance with the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan. This figure refers to the number of people expected to receive permanent residence, not the number of new sponsorship applications that will be accepted.
Applicants with pending files should continue monitoring their online accounts and correspondence from IRCC. They may be asked to provide updated documents, complete medical examinations, submit biometrics, or respond to questions about eligibility and admissibility.
Sponsors must also continue meeting their obligations and should notify IRCC if important information changes while the application is being processed.
Can Families Submit a New Sponsorship Application?
Families cannot currently submit a new application under the Parents and Grandparents Program unless IRCC previously issued them an invitation connected to an eligible intake and the applicable deadline remains open.
The program normally begins with an interest-to-sponsor process. IRCC then selects potential sponsors and sends invitations to apply. Completing an interest-to-sponsor form does not itself constitute an application and does not guarantee an invitation.
Because the program is paused, families should be cautious about anyone claiming they can secure a new invitation or submit an application outside the official process. Updates about a future intake will be published by IRCC when they become available.
Is the Super Visa an Alternative?
Parents and grandparents may still be able to spend extended periods with family members in Canada through the Super Visa. This temporary residence option is different from permanent residence through sponsorship.
The Super Visa can permit eligible parents and grandparents to remain in Canada for up to five years at a time. It may also provide multiple entries for up to 10 years. Visitors holding a Super Visa may be able to request an extension of up to two additional years while in Canada.
- Applicants must meet several requirements, which may include:
- Having an eligible child or grandchild in Canada
- Receiving a signed invitation and promise of financial support
- Demonstrating that the host meets the minimum income requirement
- Obtaining qualifying private health insurance
What Should Prospective Sponsors Do During the Pause?
Families interested in a future sponsorship intake can use this time to review the program requirements and organize relevant records. Although IRCC may revise its procedures before reopening the program, early preparation can help potential sponsors understand whether they are likely to qualify.
Prospective sponsors may want to:
- Review their Canadian citizenship or permanent residence status
- Collect notices of assessment and other income records
- Confirm their current family size
- Review previous sponsorship undertakings
- Gather documents establishing the family relationship
- Check whether the parent or grandparent may have an admissibility concern
- Monitor official IRCC announcements for a future intake
Planning Your Family Reunification Options
The continued pause may be disappointing for families hoping to begin a permanent residence application. However, existing applications remain in processing, and the Super Visa may provide a temporary alternative for some parents and grandparents.
Pilkington Immigration helps families understand Canadian sponsorship requirements and explore available pathways. Our team can review pending applications, assess potential Super Visa eligibility, and explain how changes to the program may affect your plans.
Learn more about family sponsorship in Canada or request a consultation with Pilkington Immigration to discuss your family’s circumstances.
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