Ottawa, Canada – April 14, 2025
The Canadian government has announced that it will not be accepting new applications for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) in 2025. The decision comes as part of a broader effort to manage application backlogs and prioritize the processing of previously submitted requests.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed that the department will focus on finalizing existing applications already in the system. According to officials, the current backlog from previous years remains substantial, and the decision to pause new intakes aims to ensure timely processing and reunification for families already in the queue.
“This pause is necessary to maintain the integrity and efficiency of the immigration system,” said an IRCC spokesperson.
“We understand the importance of family reunification and are working hard to process existing applications as quickly and fairly as possible.”
The Parents and Grandparents Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency. It is one of the most popular family reunification programs, often receiving far more applications than available spots.
While the program will not reopen for new applications in 2025, IRCC stated that alternative options such as the Super Visa remain available. The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for extended periods without becoming permanent residents.
Many prospective sponsors expressed disappointment with the announcement, urging the government to expand the program’s capacity and improve transparency in the application process.
More updates are expected later this year as IRCC continues to assess the future of the program and address the existing backlog.
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