The Canadian federal government has expanded the number of applications it will accept for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).
In 2025, the government will process up to 25,000 sponsorship applications.
Sponsor Your Family for Canadian Immigration
According to Ministerial Instructions published in the Canada Gazette on March 22, 2025, this total will include applications from both the 2024 and 2025 intakes.
This marks a shift from an earlier decision made in January, when the government announced that it would not accept new applications in 2025 and planned to process a maximum of 15,000 applications solely from the 2024 intake.
On March 7, officials confirmed that invitations would be issued in 2025 but had not specified a new application cap at the time.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents who submitted interest to sponsor forms during the 2020 PGP intake and have not yet received an invitation may be eligible when the program reopens this year.
Those approved under the PGP gain permanent resident status in Canada.
About the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)
The PGP is a pathway for family reunification through permanent residency.
Due to high demand exceeding the available spots, the government uses a lottery system to select sponsors.
The program has only opened for new applications once since 2020, and all invitations since then have gone to individuals who submitted sponsorship interest forms that year.
About the Super Visa
In addition to the PGP, the Canadian government offers the Super Visa program, allowing parents and grandparents to visit their relatives in Canada for extended stays.
Eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians can sponsor their parents or grandparents for long-term visits under this program.
Super Visas are valid for up to 10 years and permit stays of up to five years at a time, with the possibility of extending for two additional years.
Super Visa holders are classified as visitors and must obtain private health insurance for their stay.
Without a Super Visa, visitors to Canada are generally allowed a maximum stay of six months.
Canada raises cap for Parents and Grandparents Program | CIC News
