Canada Halts Parents and Grandparents Program Applications in 2025
Post by : Admin on Jan 07,2025
The Canadian Government will not accept any applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program for permanent residence in 2025. IRCC will process the PGP applications submitted in 2024 until further notice. They will issue invitations to eligible sponsors from last year’s batch throughout 2025 and hence no new applications will be accepted this year. While you cannot sponsor your parents or grandparents for permanent residency in 2025, you can still sponsor them for a super visa.
Why PGP Applications are Paused in 2025?
Family reunification has always been a major goal of the Canadian Government. They have paused any new applications for the Parents and Grandparents Program to clear the existing backlog. IRCC wants to process the PGP applications submitted in 2024 and issue invitations to apply to a maximum of 15000 applicants based on a lottery system.
In October 2024, IRCC announced a 20% reduction in permanent resident targets for 2025 including PGP applications. This decision was influenced by several factors such as rapid population growth, housing problems and changes in labour market demands.
In 2024, IRCC issued invitations to apply under the Parents and Grandparents Program to 35,700 candidates who were chosen randomly based on a lottery system. The goal was to accept 20,500 applications.
However, the 2024 annual report to parliament on immigration states that there were at least 40,000 parent and grandparent permanent residency sponsorships waiting to be processed by the end of 2023. A PGP sponsorship application takes around 24 months to process.
Can You Still Invite Your Relatives to Canada in 2025?
Yes, you can still invite your parents and grandparents to Canada in 2025 through the Super Visa. A super visa is a long-term, multiple-entry visa for parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time. They don’t need to renew their status during their stay.
Eligibility criteria for a super visa in Canada
- You must provide a letter of invitation.
- Proof of financial support and income (meeting the Low Income Cut-Off, or LICO).
- Purchase medical insurance for them valid for at least one year and covering $100,000 or more.
- They may need to undergo a medical examination.
Applying for a Super Visa to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada can be a rewarding but complex process. While it is possible to apply on your own, working with an experienced immigration consultant can significantly ease the process and improve your chances of success. Whether it is understanding eligibility requirements or drafting a persuasive invitation letter, the professionals can assist you through the super visa application process.
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