Parents and Grandparents Program Issues July 2025 Intake of Applicants

Despite the challenging contemporary immigration climate in Canada, immigration draws for the admittance of permanent residents have continued throughout 2025, in accordance with the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan. In July 2025, there were four Express Entry draws, with thousands of invitations issued to applicants to become Canadian permanent residents.

However, economic immigration is not the only area continuing to hold draws. A recent announcement from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada indicates that there will be a family immigration draw under the Parents and Grandparents Program. These draws happen much more rarely than Express Entry draws, as the last draw occurred over a year ago.

The Parents and Grandparents Program

The Parents and Grandparents Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to become permanent residents. For someone to sponsor their parents or grandparents under this program, they must be considered eligible to be a sponsor. If a sponsor is eligible, they can sponsor their biological or adopted parents and grandparents to come to Canada.

A Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor their biological or adopted parents and grandparents if they meet the eligibility criteria. To become a sponsor in the Parents and Grandparents Program, the applicant must be at least 18 years old, live in Canada, and have enough money to support the people the applicant wants to sponsor. To show adequate funds for the purposes of sponsorship, one must provide proof of income. It is also possible to have a spouse or common-law partner co-sign the application in order to combine incomes to show that one has enough money.

To become part of the program, interested sponsors must submit an interest to sponsor form to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada when applications are open. However, the Parents and Grandparents Program is not accepting new applications, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is working through the backlog of applicants that has existed since 2020. Intake draws on this application pool continues to take place, and one is set to happen in late July 2025.

July 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program Intake

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has indicated that the Parents and Grandparents Program will have an intake in 2025 starting on July 28. Potential sponsors who submitted an interest in the sponsorship form in 2020 are being invited to apply for the intake beginning on July 28.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship has indicated they will send 17,860 invitations over approximately two weeks. However, not all of these applications will be accepted, as the goal is to accept 10,000.

For those who are invited to apply, there are some considerations that should be accounted for. The fees for the Parents and Grandparents Program start at $1,205, and the fee increases for each additional applicant. Further, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has indicated that they will accept 10,000 complete applications. While it may seem obvious, incomplete applications will not be accepted. As such, it is imperative for those who receive invitations to apply to ensure their applications are complete before submission. Submitting a full application ensures the best chance of being one of the 10,000 applications that are to be accepted as part of the intake. Retaining counsel dedicated to the practice of Canadian immigration law, such as those at Garson Immigration Law, can help ensure that your application is complete when it is submitted.

Future of the Parents and Grandparents Program

Although this intake round indicates that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada is working through the backlog of applications, it is unclear when new applications for the Parents and Grandparents Program will be accepted. The current processing time for Parents and Grandparents Program applications is 36 months, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Given that applications being issued invitations to apply were made in 2020, it is unclear when the program will reopen for new applications, and if it does, how long those applications will take to process.

Thus, there may be better immigration options for Canadian permanent residents and citizens who are not already part of the Parents and Grandparents sponsorship pool and want to bring their loved ones to Canada.

Super Visa

The Super Visa is an option better suited for the majority of people who want to bring their family members to Canada, albeit not permanently.

The Super Visa program allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to come to Canada for up to five years as temporary residents. For those who want to go to Canada for an extended period as a visitor, the Super Visa can be a far better option than a standard Visitor Visa, as a standard Visitor Visa only allows the holder to remain in Canada for six months. The Super Visa also provides for multiple entries into Canada, and there is an option to extend the stay as part of the visa.

Although the Super Visa program does not provide permanent residence, it is currently a better option for most people who want to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada than the Parents and Grandparents Program. The uncertainty of when draws will take place and when new applicants will be allowed makes the Parents and Grandparents Program unideal for most applicants.

Garson Immigration Law: Expert Help for the Parents and Grandparents Program & Super Visa

Receiving an invitation for the Parents and Grandparents Program is a significant step, but the strict 10,000 application limit means perfection is key. An incomplete application will be rejected, so maximize your chances of approval by ensuring every detail is correct. For those eager to reunite with family but not part of this limited PGP draw, the Super Visa presents a flexible and accessible option for extended visits. At Garson Immigration Law, we specialize in Canadian immigration and understand the complexities involved. Let us help you confidently submit your PGP application or explore if the Super Visa is the right path for your family. Reach out to us online or call 416-321-2860 for tailored immigration solutions.