2025 Parents and Grandparents Program: Key Updates You Need to Know
Family reunification is a cornerstone of Canada's immigration system, and the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) plays a pivotal role in helping Canadian citizens and permanent residents bring their loved ones to live and work alongside them. On March 7, 2025, Ottawa announced important updates about the PGP for the year, including new application procedures and processing times.
What's New in 2025?
This year, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will accept up to 10,000 complete applications for sponsorship under the PGP. However, rather than accepting new "Interest to Sponsor" forms, IRCC will send invitations to apply to randomly selected sponsors from the pool of forms submitted in 2020. This method has been in use since 2020 and ensures that those already in the queue have a chance to apply.
Processing Times
Processing times for PGP applications have remained relatively stable. For those applying outside Quebec, the processing time is around 24 months. However, Quebec-destined applicants face a longer wait of approximately 48 months due to the province's more limited family class admission targets. IRCC continues to adjust its intake approach based on the number of available spaces in the Immigration Levels Plan, which recently saw reductions in immigration targets for 2025–2027.
For Those Not in the Pool
IRCC acknowledges that this change may impact families who haven't yet had the opportunity to submit an Interest to Sponsor form. For these families, the Super Visa remains a viable alternative. This visa allows parents and grandparents to visit their children or grandchildren for up to 5 years at a time, with multiple entries allowed over a 10-year period. Furthermore, recent changes to the Super Visa make it more accessible, including adjustments to the health insurance requirement.
Looking Ahead
The final details of the 2025 PGP Program intake, including the specific timeline for sending invitations, will be released in the coming months. Stay tuned for further updates from IRCC as they continue to refine and improve the family reunification process.
