Update on the 2025 Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program

Family reunification remains a cornerstone of Canada's immigration policy, and the Parents and Grandparents (PGP) Sponsorship Program continues to offer Canadian citizens and permanent residents a pathway to bring their loved ones to Canada.

On March 7, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced key updates for this year's PGP Program. Here's everything you need to know.

2025 PGP Application Intake

In 2025, IRCC plans to accept up to 10,000 complete sponsorship applications under the PGP Program.

Instead of opening a new interest-to-sponsor intake, IRCC will continue selecting potential sponsors from the existing pool of submissions made in 2020. This method mirrors the approach taken between 2020 and 2024.

If you submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 but haven't received an invitation yet, you still have a chance to be selected this year.

Processing Times

As of February 5, 2025, the application processing times are:

Outside Quebec: Approximately 24 months
Within Quebec: Approximately 48 months

The longer processing time for Quebec applicants is due to the province’s more limited family class admission targets.

Why the Changes?

The adjustments to the 2025 intake are partly due to Canada's new Immigration Levels Plan (2025–2027), which includes an overall reduction in immigration targets. IRCC aims to strike a balance between the number of PGP applications and available spaces to minimize future backlogs and wait times.

Maintaining a manageable intake is necessary to ensure reasonable service standards and timely family reunification.

Alternative: The Super Visa Option

For those who cannot apply through the PGP Program, Canada continues to offer the Super Visa as a flexible alternative.

Allows parents and grandparents to visit their children or grandchildren in Canada for up to 5 years at a time.
Provides multiple entries over a period of up to 10 years.
Recent changes to the Super Visa program have made it more accessible by easing health insurance requirements.

This option enables extended family visits without requiring permanent residence.

What Happens Next?

IRCC will release more details in the coming months, including specific dates for when invitations to apply will be sent. Potential sponsors from the 2020 pool should keep an eye on their emails and IRCC announcements.

If you are interested in the Super Visa or other family reunification pathways, now is the time to start preparing your documents.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and reflects immigration policies as of April 2025. Policies and procedures are subject to change. Always consult the official IRCC website or a qualified immigration consultant for the latest information.

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