Parents & Grandparents Program Shut Down for 2025

PGP Program Completely Frozen for 2025 - 72,000 Families Still Waiting

On This Page You Will Find:

• Why IRCC suspended all new PGP applications for 2025 and what it means for your family
• How 72,300 families from 2020 are still waiting for their chance to apply
• Alternative pathways to bring your parents to Canada during this freeze
• Strategic steps to prepare for when the program eventually reopens
• Super Visa requirements and insurance solutions that actually work

Summary:

The Canadian government has delivered devastating news to thousands of families: the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is completely frozen for 2025. No new applications will be accepted, and only 15,000 of the 35,700 people who received invitations in 2024 will have their applications processed. With over 72,000 families from 2020 still waiting in limbo, this decision creates an unprecedented backlog that could take years to clear. If you're hoping to reunite with your parents or grandparents in Canada, you need to understand your alternatives and prepare for a dramatically different landscape when the program eventually reopens.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• PGP is completely closed for 2025 - no new applications or Interest to Sponsor forms accepted
• 72,300 families from the 2020 intake are still waiting for their invitation to apply
• Only 15,000 out of 35,700 invited applicants from 2024 will be processed this year
• Super Visa remains the primary alternative for temporary family reunification
• No timeline has been announced for when new applications will resume

Maria Santos refreshes her email for the third time today, hoping for an invitation that may never come. Like 72,300 other Canadians, she submitted her Interest to Sponsor form back in 2020, dreaming of bringing her elderly parents from the Philippines to live with her permanently. Now, five years later, that dream feels more distant than ever.

The announcement that hit families like Maria's on January 4, 2025, was brutal in its simplicity: the Parents and Grandparents Program is completely shut down for new applications. No new Interest to Sponsor forms. No timeline for reopening. Just... silence.

If you've been planning to sponsor your parents or grandparents, this news changes everything. Let me walk you through what's happening, why it matters, and most importantly, what you can do about it.

The Shocking Numbers Behind the Shutdown

The scale of this crisis is staggering. Here's what the numbers tell us:

The 2024 Backlog: Out of 35,700 people who received invitations to apply in 2024, only 15,000 applications will be processed. That means 20,700 families who thought they were on the home stretch will now wait until 2026 or beyond.

The 2020 Legacy: Remember when over 203,000 people submitted Interest to Sponsor forms in those three weeks between October 13 and November 3, 2020? After five years of random selections, approximately 72,300 of those families are still waiting for their turn.

The Processing Reality: Since 2020, IRCC has invited 131,000 people to apply (13,400 in 2020, 34,500 in 2021, 23,100 in 2022, 24,200 in 2023, and 35,700 in 2024). Yet the backlog keeps growing.

What makes this particularly heartbreaking is the human cost. These aren't just statistics – they're elderly parents watching their grandchildren grow up through video calls, families separated by thousands of miles, and sponsors who've been maintaining income requirements for half a decade without knowing if they'll ever get their chance.

Understanding the Parents and Grandparents Program

For those new to this journey, the PGP allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency. It sounds straightforward, but the reality has been anything but simple.

The program offers what families desperately want: permanent status that allows parents to work, access healthcare, and truly build a life in Canada alongside their children. Unlike temporary options, successful PGP applicants become permanent residents with a path to citizenship.

But here's the catch that's created this crisis: demand has always far exceeded supply. Every year, hundreds of thousands of families want to sponsor, but the government only processes a fraction of applications.

The Roller Coaster History That Led to This Crisis

The First-Come-First-Served Disaster (2019)

In 2019, IRCC tried a "first-come-first-served" approach. The online portal opened for Interest to Sponsor submissions with a cap of 20,000 spots. Within minutes – literally minutes – all spots were filled. Families who couldn't access the website during those precious few minutes were shut out entirely.

The backlash was immediate and fierce. Families complained about technical difficulties, unfair advantages for those with faster internet, and the impossibility of competing against automated systems.

The Return of the Lottery (2020-Present)

Learning from the 2019 disaster, IRCC returned to a lottery system in 2020. For three weeks, anyone could submit an Interest to Sponsor form. Then, random selection would determine who got invited to apply.

Over 203,000 people submitted forms. The government has been working through this pool ever since, randomly selecting families each year. But here's the problem: they've never opened the pool to new applicants.

The Mounting Pressure

As years passed without new intake periods, pressure mounted from two directions:

1. The 2020 Pool: Families waiting since 2020 grew increasingly frustrated as their parents aged and their own circumstances changed.

2. New Families: People who became citizens or permanent residents after 2020, or those who simply missed the 2020 window, had no opportunity to even enter the pool.

The 2025 shutdown represents the government's admission that this system is broken.

What This Means for Your Family Right Now

If You Submitted Interest to Sponsor in 2020

You're part of the 72,300 families still waiting. Here's what you need to know:

Your Position: You're still in the pool, but with no new applications being processed in 2025, your wait just got longer. The government will likely resume random selections in 2026 or beyond.

Stay Eligible: This is crucial. You must continue meeting all sponsorship requirements, including:

• Minimum income thresholds (which change annually)
• Residency requirements
• No criminal record
• Continued relationship with your parents/grandparents

Income Requirements: These are updated yearly based on Statistics Canada's Low Income Cut-Off (LICO). For 2024, a family of two (sponsor plus one parent) needed to earn at least $33,725. A family of four required $50,650. Check the current requirements annually and ensure your income meets or exceeds these thresholds.

If You Haven't Submitted Interest to Sponsor

Your situation is more challenging. With no timeline for new applications, you're in complete limbo. However, you can:

Prepare for the Future: Study the current requirements and ensure you'll be eligible when applications reopen. This includes building your income history and understanding the documentation you'll need.

Explore Alternatives: Focus on temporary solutions like the Super Visa while waiting for permanent options to return.

If You Received an Invitation in 2024

You're in a particularly frustrating position. You thought you were almost done, but only 15,000 of the 35,700 invited families will have their applications processed in 2025. If you're not among the lucky ones, your complete application will sit in processing limbo until 2026 or later.

Your Alternative: The Super Visa Strategy

With PGP frozen, the Super Visa becomes your primary option for family reunification. While it's not permanent residency, it offers significant advantages over regular visitor visas.

Super Visa Benefits

Extended Stays: Parents can stay for up to two years per visit, compared to six months on a regular visitor visa.

Multiple Entry: Valid for up to 10 years, allowing multiple trips without reapplying.

Faster Processing: Typically processed in weeks or months, not years.

The Insurance Challenge (And Solution)

The biggest hurdle for Super Visa applications is the mandatory insurance requirement. Your parents need:

• Minimum $100,000 coverage for emergency medical care
• Full payment upfront (quotes aren't acceptable)
• Coverage for hospitalization and repatriation
• Minimum one-year validity from entry date

Here's where many families get stuck: pre-existing medical conditions. Insurance companies often exclude coverage for conditions your parents already have, or charge premiums that make the Super Visa financially impossible.

The Pre-Existing Condition Reality: If your 70-year-old father has diabetes and high blood pressure (common conditions), many insurers will either exclude these conditions or quote premiums of $8,000-$15,000 annually.

Shopping Strategy: Don't accept the first quote. Different insurers assess risk differently. Some specialize in high-risk applicants or offer more reasonable rates for common conditions.

Timing Matters: Apply for insurance quotes well before your parents' planned travel. Rushing the process limits your options and often results in higher premiums.

Preparing for the Program's Return

While we don't know when PGP will reopen, history suggests it will eventually return. Here's how to position yourself for success:

Financial Preparation

Build Income History: Start documenting income that exceeds LICO requirements by 20-30%. This buffer protects you if requirements increase or your income fluctuates.

Understand the Calculation: Income requirements are based on your family size including sponsored parents. If you're married with one child and want to sponsor both parents, you'll need income for a family of five.

Document Everything: Keep tax returns, employment letters, and pay stubs organized. When applications reopen, you'll need to move quickly.

Document Readiness

Birth Certificates: Ensure you have official birth certificates showing the parent-child relationship. These often take months to obtain from some countries.

Police Certificates: Your parents will need police certificates from every country where they've lived for six months or more since age 18. Start researching the process for obtaining these documents.

Medical Exams: Understand which panel physicians are available in your parents' country. Some locations have limited options with long wait times.

Relationship Evidence

Communication Records: Keep evidence of ongoing relationship with your parents. This includes photos, communication records, and evidence of financial support.

Visit Documentation: If you visit your parents or they visit you, keep travel records, photos, and other evidence of your relationship.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Happened

Understanding the government's motivation helps predict what might come next.

Immigration Levels Plan Pressure

Canada's Immigration Levels Plan sets targets for different immigration categories. Family reunification competes with economic immigration for space within these targets. With increased focus on addressing labor shortages and housing concerns, family reunification has taken a back seat.

Processing Capacity Reality

IRCC has been overwhelmed across all immigration programs. Processing times for spousal sponsorship, work permits, and student visas have all increased dramatically. The PGP shutdown likely reflects an admission that they simply can't handle the volume.

Political Considerations

Family reunification is popular with immigrant communities but faces criticism from those concerned about healthcare costs and social services capacity. The government may be trying to balance these competing pressures.

What to Expect When PGP Returns

Based on historical patterns and current challenges, here's what we might see:

Stricter Requirements

Higher Income Thresholds: Expect income requirements to increase, possibly significantly.

Shorter Application Windows: The government might limit how long Interest to Sponsor forms are accepted.

Additional Criteria: New requirements around healthcare coverage, settlement funds, or regional distribution might be introduced.

Different Process Structure

Points-Based System: Instead of pure lottery, the government might introduce a points system favoring certain applicants.

Regional Distribution: Priority might be given to sponsors in certain provinces or regions.

Age Limits: There might be age restrictions on sponsored parents to address healthcare cost concerns.

Reduced Numbers

Lower Annual Targets: Don't expect a return to 35,000+ annual invitations. The government might settle on 15,000-20,000 as a sustainable number.

Longer Processing Times: Even when applications resume, expect longer processing times as the system adjusts to new realities.

Taking Action During the Freeze

While you wait for PGP to reopen, here's your action plan:

Immediate Steps (Next 30 Days)

1. Assess Super Visa Eligibility: Research insurance options and costs for your parents' specific health situation.

2. Document Review: Gather all documents you'd need for PGP application and identify any gaps.

3. Income Verification: Calculate whether your current income meets requirements and create a plan to increase it if necessary.

Medium-Term Strategy (Next 6-12 Months)

1. Insurance Shopping: If pursuing Super Visa, get multiple insurance quotes and choose the best option.

2. Financial Building: Focus on increasing and stabilizing your income to exceed minimum requirements.

3. Document Collection: Start the slow process of gathering international documents like birth certificates and police checks.

Long-Term Positioning (1-3 Years)

1. Skill Development: If your income is borderline, invest in education or training to increase earning potential.

2. Alternative Immigration: Research whether your parents might qualify for other immigration programs.

3. Political Engagement: Stay informed about immigration policy changes and consider engaging with local MPs about family reunification priorities.

The Parents and Grandparents Program shutdown represents one of the most significant changes to Canadian family reunification in decades. For the 72,300 families still waiting from 2020, and the countless others hoping to enter the pool, this news is devastating.

But here's what I've learned from covering immigration for years: the families who succeed are those who adapt, prepare, and persist. The PGP will likely return in some form, but it may look very different from what we've known.

In the meantime, focus on what you can control. Explore the Super Visa option seriously – it's not permanent residency, but it can provide meaningful family reunification while you wait. Build your financial foundation to ensure you're ready when applications reopen. And most importantly, don't give up on your dream of bringing your family together.

The path has become longer and more uncertain, but for families determined to reunite in Canada, there are still ways forward. The key is understanding your options, preparing thoroughly, and remaining flexible as the system evolves.

Your parents' journey to Canada may not look like you originally planned, but with the right strategy and persistence, it's still possible. The question isn't whether you'll find a way – it's which path you'll choose to get there.