In a significant shift in policy, the Government of Canada has announced an increase in the number of sponsorship applications it will process under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), raising the cap to 25,000 applications for 2025.
The update, published in the Canada Gazette on March 22, 2025, overturns earlier plans announced in January, when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated it would not accept new applications this year and would limit processing to just 15,000 existing files from the 2024 intake.
Now, according to newly issued Ministerial Instructions, the 2025 cap will include both pending applications from 2024 and new submissions from 2025.
This decision was preceded by a March 7 update confirming that invitations would be sent out this year—giving renewed hope to thousands of families who have waited since the last intake in 2020.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents who submitted an “Interest to Sponsor” form during the 2020 PGP intake, but have not yet been invited, will once again be considered in this year’s round. Selected sponsors will be able to apply for their parents and grandparents to gain Canadian permanent residency under the family reunification stream.
The PGP continues to be a cornerstone of Canada’s commitment to family reunification, but demand for the program significantly exceeds available spots. To manage this, the government uses a lottery system to invite potential sponsors.
For those not selected through the PGP, the Super Visa remains a viable alternative. This long-term visitor visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time, with validity for up to 10 years and the possibility of renewal. Unlike the PGP, Super Visa holders do not gain permanent residency, but can spend extended periods with loved ones in Canada.