Canada has announced the temporary suspension of new applications for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for 2025, citing the need to focus on clearing the backlog of existing cases. This decision, revealed by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, marks a significant shift for families wishing to reunite permanently.
The PGP allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency, enabling loved ones to join them for extended periods. Unfortunately, under the new directive from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the department will not accept any new applications throughout 2025. Instead, the IRCC will only process applications submitted last year, with the intent to finalize up to 15,000 sponsorship applications.
The move aligns with the government’s broader immigration strategy, which has seen the permanent resident target cut by 20% for the upcoming year. According to Miller, “this decision aligns with the government’s broader immigration goals.” The PGP had recently become overwhelmed with demand; for example, 35,700 invitations were issued to potential sponsors during the last intake, with only a goal to accept 20,500 applications.
The IRCC’s PGP is structured around the need for sponsors to support their relatives financially, committing to do so even if their economic circumstances change. The program uses a lottery system to address the imbalance between the number of interested sponsors and the spots available. Since 2020, applications had been held to strict quotas, underscoring the competitive nature of the sponsoring process.
Currently, there are over 40,000 parent and grandparent sponsorship applications pending, with average processing times reaching up to 24 months for most cases, and up to 48 months for applicants from Quebec. Given the backlogs, the pause is aimed at addressing these existing applications more efficiently.
While this decision has disappointed many prospective sponsors, there are alternative pathways for family reunification. The Canada Super Visa remains a viable option, allowing parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit Canada for extended periods. The Super Visa is valid for up to ten years and permits stays of up to five years at a time, with extensions possible. This flexibility provides families the chance to maintain connections, even amid the PGP suspension.
The suspension of new applications under the PGP for 2025 has brought significant changes to Canada's immigration framework. With the IRCC now prioritizing the processing of existing applications, families may find themselves adapting to new realities in the immigration system.
Looking forward, the IRCC has set its 2025 target at 24,500 landings through the PGP. This is considerably lower than previous targets, reflecting the government’s commitment to streamline operations. Miller stated, "The pause will enable us to manage the backlog efficiently, supporting our commitment to family reunification."
For those who hope to bring family members permanent residence, this policy shift requires careful navigation. Monitoring updates from the IRCC will be key, as applicants need to stay informed about their progress and available options. Canadian citizens and permanent residents will have to use other means, such as the Super Visa, to achieve temporary reunifications.
This proactive approach by the government aims not only to preserve the integrity of the PGP but to also support families through other avenues. The IRCC’s adjustments signal its efforts to balance immigration levels with the resource management needed to process cases effectively.
The completion of these steps marks the next phase for Canadian immigration policy under the watchful eye of the IRCC. The commitment to family ties remains strong, but with changing procedures, families must adapt and seek alternative methods to remain united.
Finally, as the IRCC continues to refine its policies, it will be important for individuals and families to stay engaged with their applications. The immigration process requires patience and diligence and remains susceptible to broader policy changes like those announced for 2025.