On July 15, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it is pausing intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program
Parents and Grandparents Program Intake Paused; Super Visa Remains Available
On July 15, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it is pausing intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).
What Has Changed?
- IRCC is pausing intake of new PGP applications. Applications already submitted will continue to be processed.
- IRCC will not accept new interest to sponsor forms or invite potential sponsors to apply until further notice.
- IRCC plans to approve up to 15,000 people for permanent residence through the PGP in 2026, in line with the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
Why?
IRCC states that interest in the program is higher than the number of spaces available, and that the pause is meant to reduce processing times and make outcomes more predictable for families.
The Super Visa Remains Open
Parents and grandparents can still visit their children and grandchildren in Canada on a super visa, which allows stays of up to 5 years at a time, with multiple entries over a period of up to 10 years.
Recent Super Visa Changes
On March 20, 2026, IRCC announced changes to how the super visa income requirement is calculated, effective March 31, 2026:
- The host (the child or grandchild in Canada) and any co-signer can meet the income requirement based on either of the two tax years before the application, instead of only the most recent one.
- If the host and co-signer meet a required minimum percentage of the income requirement, the visiting parent’s or grandparent’s income can be added to cover the rest.
- The new rules apply to applications already in processing and to those submitted on or after March 31, 2026.
Next Steps for Families
- If you already have a PGP application in process, keep your information up to date with IRCC.
- If you were hoping to sponsor, consider the super visa for family visits.
- Check whether the new income options help you meet the super visa requirement.
To review your options for bringing your parents or grandparents to Canada, complete our online assessment or contact our office to book a consultation.
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