Canada Pauses New Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Applications: What It Means for Your Family
On July 15, 2026, IRCC announced it is pausing new intake under the Parents and Grandparents Program. If you were planning to submit an interest to sponsor form this year, this changes your next step. Here is what actually happened, what stays open, and what you can still do right now.
What did IRCC announce?
IRCC is not accepting new interest to sponsor forms under the PGP Program until further notice. The department will keep processing applications already in the system, and it plans to approve up to 15,000 people for permanent residence through this program in 2026. This target lines up with the 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
IRCC framed this as part of a broader effort to keep the immigration system well managed and predictable for families. In plain terms: demand for PGP sponsorship has consistently outpaced the number of spots available, so IRCC is slowing new intake to reduce backlogs and give existing applicants more certainty on timelines.
Why This Is Happening?
The PGP Program works on a lottery-style intake, and every year, far more families express interest than there is room to invite. IRCC’s own notice states plainly that interest in the program continues to exceed the spaces available under the levels plan. Pausing new interest to sponsor forms is IRCC’s way of managing that pressure without expanding the program beyond what the levels plan allows.
What Happens to Applications Already Submitted?
If your application is already in the system, nothing changes for you today. IRCC will keep processing existing PGP applications, working toward its target of up to 15,000 approvals in 2026. If you were only planning to submit an interest to sponsor form, that door is closed for now, and IRCC has not given a date for when it will reopen.
The Super Visa Is Still Open
Family reunification has not stopped. The Super Visa remains fully available, and it is currently the most practical route for bringing parents or grandparents to Canada while PGP intake is paused.
A Super Visa lets parents and grandparents stay in Canada for up to five years per visit, with multiple entries allowed over a validity period of up to 10 years. IRCC has also made two recent changes that make this option easier to qualify for.
What does this mean for Your Family?
If you have been waiting to submit a PGP interest to sponsor form, that plan is on hold for now. If your goal is simply to have your parents or grandparents in Canada with you, sooner rather than later, the Super Visa is your working option today, and it just got easier to qualify for.
If you already have a PGP application in process, keep your documents current and watch for any request from IRCC. Processing continues, and the 2026 approval target has not changed.
Book Your Consultation!
The pause on PGP intake, the updated Super Visa income rules, and the new insurance options all interact differently depending on your income, your family size, and your timeline. A small detail, like which tax year you use to prove income, can change whether you qualify.
If you want to know whether the Super Visa is your best option right now, or how to prepare your existing PGP file while you wait, book a consultation with Flowertown Immigration. Our licensed RCIC consultant will review your specific situation and give you a clear picture of where you stand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still submit an interest to sponsor form for the PGP Program right now?
No. As of July 15, 2026, IRCC is not accepting new interest to sponsor forms or inviting new sponsors to apply. IRCC has not announced a date for when intake will reopen.
I already submitted my PGP application before the pause. Does this affect me?
No. IRCC will continue processing applications already in the system and plans to approve up to 15,000 people through the PGP Program in 2026.
If I use the Super Visa now, can I still apply for PGP later?
Yes. The Super Visa and the PGP Program are separate. Using a Super Visa now does not affect your ability to submit a PGP interest to sponsor form once intake reopens.
Do the new Super Visa income rules apply to applications already being processed?
Yes. As of March 31, 2026, all applications already in processing, or submitted on or after that date, are assessed under the updated income rules. Families who already met the old requirements remain eligible.