Parents and Grandparents Program Paused in 2026: What Families Can Do Now

Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is closed to new applicants. On July 15, 2026, IRCC paused intake until further notice: it is not accepting new interest-to-sponsor forms and will not invite sponsors to apply. Applications already submitted are still being processed, and the super visa remains open for parents and grandparents who want long visits.

Key points

• July 15, 2026: IRCC paused new PGP applications indefinitely (IRCC notice).
• No new interest-to-sponsor forms; no new invitations.
• Pending applications continue. Up to 15,000 admissions are planned for 2026.
• The super visa allows stays of up to 5 years at a time and is still open.
• No reopening date has been announced.

What IRCC announced

IRCC’s notice, dated July 15, 2026, says the department is pausing “the intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program.” Specifically:

• It will not accept new interest-to-sponsor forms.
• It will not invite potential sponsors to apply.
• It will keep processing applications already received.
• Up to 15,000 people will be approved for permanent residence through the PGP in 2026, in line with the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.

The pause applies until further notice. IRCC did not give an end date.

Why the program was paused

The 2026–2028 Levels Plan sets the PGP admissions target at 15,000 a year for 2026, 2027 and 2028. That is a fixed number of approvals each year. When more applications are in the queue than there are admission spaces, new intake makes waiting times longer without increasing approvals. IRCC’s notice frames the pause as managing the program responsibly within the Levels Plan.

How we got here: recent PGP intakes

The PGP has used an interest-to-sponsor form followed by invitations drawn from the pool. The most recent intake was in 2025, when IRCC sent invitations from the existing pool of people who had submitted forms in 2020. No new interest-to-sponsor window has opened since 2020, so people who were not in that pool have had no way into the program for several years. The July 2026 pause continues that situation.

If you already applied

If you submitted a complete PGP application after an earlier invitation, your file is not affected by the pause. IRCC says processing continues. Things you can do:

• Keep your contact details and address up to date in your IRCC account.
• Respond quickly to any request for documents, medical exams or biometrics.
• Check live processing times on the IRCC processing times tool.
• Make sure your income evidence still meets the requirements for the years being assessed.

The government fee for a PGP sponsorship is $1,260 including the right of permanent residence fee, or $660 without it, as of October 2026 (IRCC fee list). If you have not yet paid the right of permanent residence fee, IRCC will ask for it before approval.

If you were hoping to apply

You cannot start a new PGP application right now. Options to consider:

1. The super visa

The super visa is the main alternative IRCC itself points to. It lets eligible parents and grandparents:

• Stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time.
• Enter multiple times over a visa valid for up to 10 years.

The host child or grandchild must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian, live in Canada, meet a minimum income, and sign an invitation letter. The parent or grandparent needs private medical insurance valid for at least one year from entry and an immigration medical exam. The fee is $100 plus $85 for biometrics.

Since March 31, 2026, hosts can meet the income test using either of the last two tax years, and the visiting parent’s income can help cover the remainder once the host meets a minimum share. See our super visa guide for the full rules.

A super visa does not lead to permanent residence. It is a long-term visitor visa, so the parent cannot work in Canada and must keep showing they are a genuine visitor.

2. Visitor visa for shorter stays

If your parents only plan to visit for six months or less, a regular visitor visa (also $100 plus biometrics) may be enough. IRCC suggests this route on the super visa page.

3. Check whether your parent qualifies in their own right

Some parents may qualify for permanent residence through another program, for example an economic program based on their own work experience, age and language skills. This is rare for older parents, but it is worth asking a professional if your parent is still working.

4. Humanitarian and compassionate grounds

In exceptional cases, people apply for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. The Levels Plan target for this category is small (1,100 in 2026), and these applications are complex. Speak to a lawyer or RCIC before considering this route.

Watch for the next Levels Plan

The government tables its Immigration Levels Plan each fall, usually by November 1. The 2027–2029 plan could signal whether PGP admissions will rise, fall or stay at 15,000. We will cover it on our updates page.

When to get professional help

If you have a pending PGP file with a change in circumstances (divorce, job loss, death of a sponsor or applicant), or you are weighing humanitarian grounds, speak with a regulated Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC) or a Canadian immigration lawyer. This article is general information, not legal advice.

What to do next

1. If your application is pending, check your IRCC account and respond to any requests.
2. If you were planning to apply, look at the super visa and start gathering income and insurance documents.
3. Review other family options, such as spousal sponsorship, if they apply to you.
4. Follow our Canada hub for news on the PGP reopening.