Canada will not accept new applications for sponsoring parents and grandparents for permanent residence in 2025, according to a recent announcement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Instead, the department will focus solely on processing applications submitted in 2024 under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). &nbsp;
IRCC has set a cap of 15,000 sponsorship applications to be processed this year. &nbsp;
Canadian citizens and permanent residents looking to bring their parents or grandparents for an extended stay can still apply for a super visa. This option allows family members to visit Canada for up to five years at a time, offering an alternative for those unable to pursue permanent residency sponsorship. &nbsp;
What Is the Parents and Grandparents Program? &nbsp; The Parents and Grandparents Program allows Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency. Due to overwhelming interest and limited spots, the program uses a lottery system to invite potential sponsors. From 2020 to 2024, invitations were extended to individuals who submitted an interest-to-sponsor form during the 2020 intake. &nbsp;
Why Is There a Pause? &nbsp; The pause aligns with IRCC's decision to cut permanent resident targets by 20% for 2025. This reduction includes a decreased allocation for PGP landings. The new target for 2025 is 24,500, down from earlier projections of 34,000. The 2023 Immigration Levels Plan had initially set goals of 32,000 for 2024 and 34,000 for 2025 before the adjustments. &nbsp;

Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Canada

Canada caps sponsorship applications to 15,000 for 2025; super visas still on the table

No More Canada PR for Parents, Grandparents?

Canada caps sponsorship applications to 15,000 for 2025; super visas still on the table

January 4, 2025 | 14:38 IST