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On July 15, 2026, IRCC announced a pause on all new Parent and Grandparent Program applications.
No new interest to sponsor forms or invitations to apply will be issued until further notice. Existing applications already in the system will continue to be processed. The Super Visa remains available as the primary alternative for families who want their parents or grandparents to spend extended time in Canada.
At a Glance
- PGP pause announced July 15, 2026, effective immediately.
- No new interest to sponsor forms or invitations to apply will be accepted until further notice.
- Existing applications will continue to be processed.
- IRCC plans to approve up to 15,000 people for permanent residence through the PGP in 2026.
- Approximately 60,500 applications are currently in the system.
- Current processing times are approximately 33 months nationally and up to 66 months in Quebec.
- The program is paused, not cancelled.
- The Super Visa remains available and allows stays of up to five years per visit.
- Humanitarian and Compassionate applications may remain available in exceptional circumstances.
What IRCC Announced on July 15, 2026
On July 15, 2026, the Government of Canada announced that it was pausing the intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program. IRCC will continue to process existing applications and plans to approve up to 15,000 people for permanent residence through the PGP in 2026, in line with the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
The pause on accepting new applications is in effect until further notice.
In practical terms, if you have not yet submitted a sponsorship application and were hoping to do so in 2026, that option is currently unavailable. If your application was already submitted and accepted into processing, it will continue. The pause does not end applications already in the queue.
Source:
IRCC official announcement — July 15, 2026
Affected by the PGP pause?
Cambria Law Firm can review Super Visa options, existing PGP files, Humanitarian and Compassionate applications, and alternative immigration pathways.
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Why Did Canada Pause the Program?
The pause reflects a combination of backlog pressure, reduced annual targets, and a deliberate policy shift toward processing existing inventory before opening another intake.
Three factors help explain the decision:
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Backlog size | Approximately 60,500 applications are currently in progress, with processing times of about 33 months nationally and up to 66 months in Quebec. |
| Reduced 2026 target | The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan targets up to 15,000 PGP permanent resident approvals in 2026, down from 24,500 approved in 2025. |
| Demand exceeds available spaces | More than 200,000 people expressed interest in sponsoring a parent or grandparent when the interest-to-sponsor pool opened in 2020. |
With tens of thousands of applications already in the queue and a 2026 approval target of only 15,000 people, IRCC can meet its annual target without opening a new intake. Accepting more applications would increase the backlog without increasing the number of available approvals.
Who Is Affected?
Directly Affected — Cannot Proceed With a New PGP Application
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 but were never selected.
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents who were planning to submit a new interest to sponsor form.
- Families who received an invitation in a prior year but did not submit a complete application before the deadline.
- Families who were waiting for a 2026 intake announcement.
Not Affected — Existing Applications Continue
- Families who received a prior invitation and submitted a complete application that was accepted into processing.
- Families whose applications are already in the IRCC processing queue.
- Applicants awaiting biometrics, medical examinations, additional documents, or a final decision on an existing file.
Not sure whether your application is already in the processing queue?
Check your IRCC account or application portal. If IRCC accepted your application and issued a confirmation of receipt, your file should not be affected by the pause. If you never received an invitation or never submitted the application, the pause affects your 2026 plans.
What Happens If You Already Applied?
If your sponsorship application was submitted and accepted into processing before the announcement, your file remains active. IRCC will continue processing existing applications and plans to approve up to 15,000 people for permanent residence through the PGP in 2026.
In practice:
- Your file remains active and continues through processing.
- IRCC may still request additional documents, biometrics, or a medical examination.
- Current processing estimates remain approximately 33 months nationally.
- Quebec applications may face longer timelines because of separate provincial requirements.
If your application has been in the queue significantly longer than the published processing time, or if you received a procedural fairness letter or another important IRCC notice, professional advice may be useful. Cambria Law Firm’s immigration consulting services include assistance with applications already in progress.
Is the Parent and Grandparent Program Cancelled?
No. The program is paused, not permanently cancelled.
The PGP has been paused and reopened multiple times. In prior years, IRCC used existing interest-to-sponsor pools and limited the number of invitations rather than accepting new expressions of interest every year.
The current pause follows that general pattern, but the reduced 2026 target means IRCC has less reason to open another intake this year. A future intake may occur in 2027 or later, but no reopening date has been announced.
Key point:
“Until further notice” means there is no guaranteed reopening date. Families should develop a backup strategy instead of relying only on a future PGP intake.
Can You Still Bring Your Parents to Canada?
Yes. The Super Visa remains available. It allows eligible parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to five years at a time and may provide multiple-entry validity for up to ten years.
The Super Visa is a temporary resident visa, not a permanent residence pathway. It does not automatically provide the right to work, provincial health coverage, or a route to Canadian citizenship. However, it may allow parents and grandparents to spend extended periods with family in Canada while waiting for a future sponsorship opportunity.
Other possible options may include:
- Humanitarian and Compassionate applications: These may be available in exceptional circumstances where standard immigration pathways are unavailable and compelling humanitarian factors exist.
- Temporary resident visa: A shorter-term option for parents or grandparents who do not meet Super Visa requirements.
- Other economic or family pathways: In limited cases, a parent or grandparent may qualify independently under another immigration program.
Super Visa vs. Parent Sponsorship
| Factor | Parent and Grandparent Program | Super Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Status granted | Permanent resident | Temporary resident visitor |
| Length of stay | Indefinite, subject to maintaining permanent resident status | Up to five years per entry |
| Document validity | PR card generally issued for five years and renewable | Visa may be valid for up to ten years with multiple entries |
| Can work in Canada? | Yes | No, unless separately authorized |
| Provincial health insurance | Potentially available, subject to provincial rules | Generally not available; private medical insurance is required |
| Path to citizenship | Potentially, after meeting citizenship requirements | No direct path |
| Currently available? | No new intake; paused July 15, 2026 | Yes |
| Processing time | Approximately 33 months nationally and longer in Quebec | Varies by country and application volume |
| Income requirement | Yes, based on the applicable family sponsorship income rules | Yes, based on the Super Visa minimum income requirement |
| Medical insurance required | Not as a PGP application requirement | Yes, qualifying private medical insurance is required |
Not sure whether a Super Visa or future PGP sponsorship is better for your family?
Book a consultation with Cambria Law Firm to review your family’s eligibility, financial requirements, and long-term immigration strategy.
Learn more about Super Visa applications at Cambria Law Firm.
Should You Apply for a Super Visa Instead?
For many families affected by the pause, the Super Visa is the most practical immediate option.
It may be worth considering if:
- Your parent or grandparent wants to come to Canada within the next year.
- They can obtain the required private medical insurance.
- You meet the applicable minimum income requirement.
- They do not need to work in Canada.
- Your long-term strategy is to wait for the PGP to reopen while maintaining family presence in Canada.
The Super Visa may be less suitable where medical insurance is difficult or prohibitively expensive, where the applicant needs employment authorization, or where permanent status is the family’s immediate priority.
A Super Visa does not make a parent or grandparent ineligible for future PGP sponsorship. The two pathways are not mutually exclusive.
Common Mistakes Families Should Avoid
| Mistake | Why It Creates Problems | Better Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting without a backup plan | “Until further notice” may mean months or longer, leaving families separated unnecessarily. | Assess Super Visa eligibility and prepare for a future PGP intake in parallel. |
| Assuming the program will reopen in 2026 | No reopening date has been announced, and the existing inventory can fill the 2026 target. | Build a strategy that does not depend on a 2026 reopening. |
| Missing Super Visa requirements | Incomplete income evidence, insurance, or invitation documents may lead to delays or refusal. | Verify current requirements and prepare the complete document package before applying. |
| Relying on outdated information | Income thresholds and program instructions may change annually. | Confirm current requirements through official sources or a licensed professional. |
| Treating H&C as a routine alternative | H&C applications are discretionary and require compelling circumstances. | Use H&C only where the facts genuinely support that type of application. |
| Using an unlicensed representative | Incorrect or dishonest advice can lead to refusals or misrepresentation concerns. | Use a licensed RCIC or an immigration lawyer. |
How Cambria Law Firm Can Help
Cambria Law Firm’s immigration consulting team, led by Vick Sidhu, RCIC, CICC College ID R705820, assists families across Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Area with:
- Super Visa applications: Preparing application packages, reviewing income requirements, and confirming insurance documentation.
- Existing PGP application support: Responding to IRCC requests, procedural fairness letters, and delays.
- H&C application assessments: Evaluating whether exceptional circumstances may support an application.
- Spousal and family sponsorship: Assessing whether another family sponsorship category applies.
- Future PGP preparation: Organizing documents so families are prepared when a future intake opens.
- Express Entry and permanent residence pathways: Assessing whether a parent or grandparent may qualify independently under another program.
Related Immigration Resources
Key Takeaways
- The Parent and Grandparent Program is paused, not cancelled.
- Existing applications will continue to be processed.
- No new interest to sponsor forms or invitations are currently being accepted.
- The Super Visa remains available for extended family visits.
- H&C applications may be appropriate only in exceptional circumstances.
- Families should develop a backup immigration strategy instead of waiting indefinitely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Parent and Grandparent Program cancelled in 2026?
No. IRCC paused the intake of new applications on July 15, 2026, but will continue processing existing applications. The program is paused, not permanently cancelled. No reopening date has been announced.
I submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020. Can I still apply?
Only people who received an invitation and submitted a complete application that was accepted into processing can continue through the current PGP process. If you were never invited or never submitted the application, you cannot file a new PGP application during the pause.
What is the Super Visa, and how is it different from permanent residence?
The Super Visa is a temporary resident visa that allows eligible parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to five years per entry, with possible visa validity of up to ten years. It does not grant permanent resident status, work authorization, provincial health insurance, or a direct path to citizenship.
How long does a Super Visa take to process?
Processing times vary by the applicant’s country of residence, application volume, and document completeness. Families should check IRCC’s current processing-time tool before applying.
What income do I need for a Super Visa?
The inviting child or grandchild must meet the applicable minimum income requirement for the household size. The threshold changes periodically, so confirm the current figure before applying.
Can my parent enter Canada on a Super Visa while waiting for a future PGP intake?
Yes. Using a Super Visa does not make a parent or grandparent ineligible for future PGP sponsorship. The two pathways are not mutually exclusive.
What if my parent has a serious illness?
Humanitarian and Compassionate applications may be available in genuinely exceptional circumstances, including some cases involving serious illness or compelling establishment in Canada. These applications are discretionary and require careful legal and evidentiary preparation.
When will the PGP reopen?
No reopening date has been announced. IRCC stated that the pause will remain in effect until further notice. Families should monitor official IRCC announcements and avoid relying on unofficial predictions.
I was relying on the PGP. What should I do now?
First, assess whether your parent or grandparent qualifies for a Super Visa. Second, confirm the status of any existing PGP application. Third, review whether another immigration option may apply, including a visitor visa, H&C application, or an independent economic immigration pathway.
Does the pause affect spousal sponsorship or other family applications?
No. The pause applies specifically to the Parent and Grandparent Program. Spousal sponsorship, partner sponsorship, dependent child sponsorship, and other family categories continue separately.
