In a major move that could impact thousands of families, the Canadian government has temporarily stopped accepting new applications under its Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). The decision is expected to particularly affect Indian families, many of whom hope to sponsor their parents for permanent residency in Canada.
The announcement was made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on July 15. According to the department, the pause is aimed at reducing the large backlog of pending applications and improving overall processing times.
No New Sponsorship Applications for Now
With the latest decision, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will no longer be able to submit new Interest to Sponsor forms under the Parents and Grandparents Program until further notice.
The government said the programme has received far more applications than the number of spots available. As a result, officials have decided to temporarily stop accepting new applications while they focus on clearing the existing backlog.
Why Has Canada Taken This Decision?
According to IRCC, demand for the Parents and Grandparents Program has remained extremely high over the years.
The last time Canada accepted new Interest to Sponsor forms was in 2020, when it received more than 2,03,000 applications. Since then, invitations have been sent through a lottery system using that same pool of applicants.
At present, nearly 50,900 applications are still waiting to be processed. To reduce this backlog and improve processing efficiency, the government has decided to pause new entries into the programme.
The decision also comes as Canada continues to tighten its immigration policies due to increasing pressure on housing, healthcare services and the rising cost of living.
Existing Applicants Will Not Be Affected
The temporary suspension applies only to new applications. People who have already submitted their applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program will continue to have their cases processed.
The Canadian government has also announced its permanent residency targets under the programme for the coming years.
2026: 15,000 permanent residency approvals
2027: 15,000 permanent residency approvals
2028: 15,000 permanent residency approvals
Super Visa Remains the Available Option
Families wishing to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada can still apply for a Super Visa.
However, unlike the Parents and Grandparents Program, the Super Visa does not offer permanent resident status. It only allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada as temporary visitors for longer periods.
Under the Super Visa, parents and grandparents can stay in Canada for up to five years during each visit. The visa allows multiple entries and remains valid for up to 10 years.
Applicants must purchase private medical insurance before travelling, while sponsors are required to meet minimum income requirements and accept financial responsibility for their family members.
Since Super Visa holders are temporary visitors, they are not eligible for provincial public healthcare benefits or a pathway to Canadian citizenship through the visa itself.
Indian Families May Face the Biggest Impact
The decision is expected to have a significant impact on Indo-Canadian families, as India continues to be the largest source of permanent residents moving to Canada.
For many Indian immigrants, bringing their parents to live with them permanently is an important step after obtaining permanent residency. Parents and grandparents often help with childcare and support working families, making family reunification an important part of life for many immigrants.
Although the Super Visa offers an alternative, many families consider it less practical because of the high cost of mandatory private medical insurance and the absence of permanent residency benefits.
Part of Canada’s Broader Immigration Strategy
The temporary suspension of new applications is part of Canada’s wider efforts to better manage immigration levels while dealing with growing pressure on housing, healthcare and other public services.
For now, families planning to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency will have to wait until the Canadian government reopens the Parents and Grandparents Program for new applications. Meanwhile, the government will continue processing existing applications and work towards reducing the current backlog.
Also Read: US Dream Gets Tougher: Trump’s New Visa Rules Could Hit Indians Hard https://www.vibesofindia.com/trump-new-us-immigration-rules-h1b-student-visas-indian-workers/
