Photo above by Juan Pablo Serrano
For many immigrants to Canada, reuniting with family is an important part of building a life in their new home. That’s why the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) remains one of the most anticipated immigration streams each year. Now, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed that the 2025 intake for the PGP will begin on July 28, offering a new opportunity for family reunification.
As part of this year’s intake, up to 10,000 complete applications will be accepted under the program. Over two weeks starting July 28, IRCC will send out invitations to apply to potential sponsors who submitted an interest to sponsor form back in 2020. This approach is consistent with recent years, as the department continues to work through the large pool of submissions from that year.
If you submitted an interest-to-sponsor form in 2020 but haven’t yet received an invitation, now is the time to check your inbox. Don’t forget to look in your spam or junk folders just in case. IRCC has emphasized that this year’s invitations will only be issued to individuals from the 2020 pool; there will be no new interest to sponsor form opened for 2025.
Those who are selected will be invited to apply through the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal if working with an immigration consultant or lawyer. Applications must be submitted electronically and should be complete at the time of submission.
For families not selected this year, there is another viable option: the super visa. This multiple-entry visa is valid for up to 10 years and allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time, with the possibility of extending their visit by up to two more years without leaving the country. While it’s not a path to permanent residence, the super visa offers greater flexibility and longer stays than traditional visitor visas.
For those looking to better understand the PGP’s intake trends and historical data, IRCC recently published The Parents and Grandparents Program: Intake Report 2020 to 2022, available on its website. The report provides insights into application volumes, approval rates, and country breakdowns, giving families a clearer picture of what to expect from the program.
Reuniting with loved ones remains a key value in Canada’s immigration policy. With limited spots available each year and a strong demand from immigrant families, programs like the PGP and the super visa remain essential tools for keeping families connected across borders.
If you’re hoping to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada, keep a close eye on your email this month — your invitation may be on its way.
For more details on eligibility, application steps, and timelines, visit www.canada.ca.
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