Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program Reopens for 2025 Intake

Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is set to reopen for new applications in July 2025. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will issue invitations to apply for permanent residence sponsorship to individuals from the existing pool of interest to sponsor forms submitted in 2020, aiming to accept 10,000 complete applications.

PGP 2025 Intake Details

IRCC will begin sending invitations to apply (ITAs) for the PGP on July 28, 2025, with the distribution continuing for approximately two weeks. This intake will not involve a new interest to sponsor form; instead, invitations will be extended to potential sponsors who submitted a form in 2020 and have not yet received an invitation. Those invited must submit their complete application electronically via the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal.

• Key Takeaways:Invitations begin July 28, 2025, over two weeks.No new interest to sponsor forms will be accepted this year.Only those from the 2020 pool will be invited.Aim to accept 10,000 complete applications.

Why the 2020 Pool?

IRCC is utilizing the 2020 pool of interest to sponsor forms due to a significant backlog caused by pandemic disruptions and high demand. This approach ensures fairness to applicants who have been waiting for several years and allows for the processing of existing forms before the government reopens the interest to sponsor process for future intakes.

Sponsor Eligibility Requirements

To sponsor parents or grandparents under the PGP, individuals must meet specific criteria:

• Be 18 years of age or older.

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person registered under the Canadian Indian Act.

• Reside in Canada.

• Meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the last three consecutive tax years.

• Agree to a 20-year sponsorship undertaking (10 years if residing in Quebec), committing to financial support and repayment of any social assistance received by the sponsored family members.

Sponsors can include their spouse or common-law partner as a co-signer to help meet the income requirement.

The Super Visa Alternative

For those not selected in the 2025 PGP intake, the Super Visa remains a viable alternative for family reunification. The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for extended periods, offering:

• Multiple entries for up to 10 years.

• Stays of up to 5 years per visit, with the option to apply for extensions of up to 2 years without leaving Canada.

To qualify for a Super Visa, applicants must undergo a medical exam, purchase private health insurance from a Canadian provider, and provide proof of financial support from their child or grandchild in Canada.

Sources

• Update on 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program, Canada.ca.

• IRCC Confirms 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program Intake to Open in July, Immigration.ca.

• Update on sponsoring parents, grandparents, CTV News.

• Intake to open for Parents and Grandparents Program, CIC News.

• Share your experience with sponsorship, CTV News.