In a welcome move focused on bringing families together, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that it will begin issuing invitations to apply under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) starting July 28, 2025.
As part of this intake, IRCC aims to approve up to 10,000 complete sponsorship applications, offering families the chance to reunite in Canada under permanent residency.
Drawing from the 2020 Pool
This upcoming round of invitations will be limited to those who submitted an Interest to Sponsor form back in 2020. Over the next couple of weeks, around 17,860 potential sponsors will receive an email invitation, letting them know they can now apply to sponsor their parents or grandparents.
Because of the high demand and limited quota, IRCC will continue to use a lottery-style selection system and will not accept any new sponsorship requests during this round. If you didn’t apply in 2020, you won’t be eligible this time—but it’s a good idea to keep an eye on future updates from IRCC for upcoming opportunities.
Who Can Sponsor?
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a key part of Canada’s immigration policy that helps bring families together. To sponsor your parents or grandparents, you must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Live in Canada
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
- Meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirements based on your family size
Only those who receive an official invitation to apply (ITA) from IRCC will be allowed to submit a sponsorship application. IRCC strongly encourages everyone who submitted their interest in 2020 to check the email address they used—including spam and junk folders—so they don’t miss this opportunity.
Application Process After Receiving an ITA
If you’re one of the lucky applicants who receives an invitation, here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Submit a complete electronic application
- Make sure all supporting documents are accurate and included
- Apply using the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal
Important: Incomplete or late applications could be rejected, so it’s essential to submit everything correctly and on time.
This effort is part of a larger plan to reduce backlogs and streamline family reunification efforts. IRCC has also released a detailed report covering PGP intakes from 2020 to 2022 for transparency.
What If You’re Not Selected?
If you aren’t selected in this intake, you still have a great alternative: the Super Visa.
The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to 10 years, with each stay lasting up to five years. It even includes an option to extend the visit by an additional two years.
To qualify for a Super Visa, applicants must:
- Have private Canadian health insurance
- Undergo a medical exam and meet admissibility requirements
- Show proof of financial support from their child or grandchild in Canada
- Submit a written commitment of financial support from their host
The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa, making it a flexible and family-friendly option while waiting for permanent sponsorship programs to open again.
How Trust Vista Consulting Can Support You
At Trust Vista Immigration, we understand how important it is to reunite with your parents or grandparents. Our licensed immigration consultants—based in both Canada and India—are committed to making the sponsorship journey smoother for you.
Here’s how we can help:
- Assess your eligibility for both the PGP and Super Visa
- Ensure all your documents are complete, accurate, and submitted on time
- Guide you through income requirements, insurance needs, and other formalities
We’re here to be your trusted partner for the Parents and Grandparents Program and other Canadian immigration pathways.
Book a free consultation with one of our experts today to start your family’s journey to Canada.
