Key Takeaways
• IRCC opens 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program on July 28, allowing 10,000 sponsorship applications.
• Only 2020 Interest to Sponsor form submitters are eligible; no new forms accepted in 2025.
• Processing times are 24 months outside Quebec and 48 months for Quebec applications.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed that the 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) intake will open on July 28, 2025. This move will allow up to 10,000 complete sponsorship applications for permanent residence, giving Canadian citizens and permanent residents a chance to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada 🇨🇦. The announcement brings both hope and urgency for thousands of families who have waited years for this opportunity.
The 2025 intake follows a familiar pattern, with IRCC sending out Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to potential sponsors who submitted an Interest to Sponsor form back in 2020 but have not yet received an invitation. No new Interest to Sponsor forms will be accepted this year, as the pool from 2020 remains large and still contains many eligible sponsors. This approach aims to manage the high demand and backlog that has built up over recent years.
Key Details for the 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program
Invitation to Apply Process
Starting July 28, 2025, IRCC will begin sending Invitations to Apply over a two-week period. Only those who submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020 and have not yet received an ITA will be considered. IRCC expects to send about 17,860 invitations to reach its target of 10,000 complete applications. This number takes into account that not everyone invited will submit a complete application or meet all requirements.
Eligibility Criteria for Sponsors
To sponsor parents or grandparents under the 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program, applicants must meet several requirements:
- Submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020 and have not yet received an ITA.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
- Live in Canada at the time of application and continue living in Canada until a decision is made.
- Meet income requirements for the three tax years before applying (2022, 2023, and 2024). Sponsors can combine their income with a spouse or common-law partner by having them co-sign the application.
- Sign a sponsorship undertaking to financially support the sponsored family members for 20 years (or 10 years if living in Quebec).
These requirements are designed to ensure that sponsors can support their family members financially and help them settle in Canada 🇨🇦 without relying on government assistance.
Application Submission Process
Those who receive an Invitation to Apply must submit their complete sponsorship application electronically. Applications are accepted through the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal. The invitation email will specify the deadline for submission, and it is critical for sponsors to meet this deadline to avoid missing their chance.
For more information on the application process and to access the official forms, sponsors can visit the IRCC’s official Parents and Grandparents Program page.
Processing Times and What to Expect
As of February 5, 2025, IRCC reports that processing times for PGP applications are about 24 months for applications outside Quebec and 48 months for those destined for Quebec. The longer wait for Quebec applications is due to the province’s more limited family class admission targets and its own selection process.
These long processing times mean that families should prepare for a wait of at least two years after submitting a complete application. During this period, sponsors must continue to meet all eligibility requirements, including living in Canada 🇨🇦.
Super Visa: An Alternative for Family Reunification
For those not invited to apply in 2025, IRCC recommends considering the Parents and Grandparents Super Visa. This visa allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada 🇨🇦 multiple times over a 10-year period, with each stay lasting up to five years. Recent changes have made the super visa more accessible, including relaxed health insurance requirements, making it a practical option for families who want to reunite sooner.
The super visa does not grant permanent residence, but it does allow for extended visits, which can be especially helpful while waiting for a PGP application to be processed or for those who did not receive an invitation this year.
Background and Context: Why the 2025 Intake Matters
The Parents and Grandparents Program is a cornerstone of Canada’s family reunification efforts. It allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their parents and grandparents to live with them permanently. Since 2020, IRCC has managed the program using a random selection from the pool of Interest to Sponsor forms submitted that year. This method was introduced to handle the overwhelming demand and to give all interested sponsors a fair chance.
Despite some reports suggesting the intake cap would increase to 25,000 applications in 2025, IRCC has confirmed that the cap remains at 10,000, consistent with recent years. This decision reflects the government’s need to balance family reunification with other immigration priorities and overall targets set in the Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–2027.
The continued use of the 2020 pool means that many families who have waited for years still have a chance, but it also means that new sponsors cannot enter the program this year. This approach has drawn both support and criticism from different groups.
Practical Steps for Sponsors
If you submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020, here’s what you need to do:
- Check your email regularly starting July 28, 2025. Look in your inbox, junk, and spam folders for an Invitation to Apply from IRCC.
- If you receive an invitation, act quickly. Gather all required documents and submit your complete application through the Permanent Residence Portal before the deadline in your invitation email.
- Prepare your proof of income for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. If you need to combine income with a spouse or partner, make sure they are ready to co-sign.
- Sign the sponsorship undertaking and understand your responsibilities. You will be financially responsible for your sponsored family members for 20 years (10 years in Quebec).
- If you do not receive an invitation, consider the super visa as a way to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada 🇨🇦 for extended visits.
Expert and Stakeholder Perspectives
Immigration experts say that using the 2020 pool helps IRCC manage the backlog and high demand for the Parents and Grandparents Program. However, it also means that new sponsors must wait until the backlog is cleared before they can apply. Some advocacy groups have called for a higher intake cap to reduce wait times and help more families reunite, but IRCC has kept the cap at 10,000 for 2025.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the decision to maintain the 10,000-application cap reflects the government’s cautious approach to balancing family reunification with other immigration goals. The high demand for the program and the long processing times show how important family reunification is to many Canadians, but also highlight the challenges of managing limited resources.
Implications for Families and Communities
The Parents and Grandparents Program has a big impact on families across Canada 🇨🇦. For many, bringing parents and grandparents to live with them means more support at home, stronger family bonds, and better care for children and elders. However, the limited number of spots and long processing times can cause stress and disappointment.
For those who are not invited this year, the super visa offers a way to spend time together, but it does not provide the same security as permanent residence. Families must weigh their options and plan carefully, especially given the long waits and strict requirements.
Solution-Oriented Advice for Applicants
To improve your chances and avoid delays, here are some practical tips:
- Stay organized. Keep all your documents, tax records, and proof of income ready.
- Respond quickly. If you get an Invitation to Apply, submit your application as soon as possible.
- Double-check your application. Make sure all information is correct and complete before submitting.
- Seek help if needed. If you have questions, consider consulting a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.
- Explore the super visa. If you are not invited this year, the super visa can help keep your family together while you wait for another chance.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the Parents and Grandparents Program
IRCC has said it will keep monitoring the backlog and may adjust future intakes as needed. The Parents and Grandparents Program is expected to remain a key part of Canada’s family reunification efforts, but competition for spots will likely stay high. Sponsors should stay informed about any changes and be ready to act when new opportunities arise.
Further announcements about the timing of invitations and application deadlines will be shared by IRCC as the intake progresses. It is important for sponsors to keep up to date by checking the official IRCC website and trusted news sources.
Official Resources and Where to Get Help
For the most up-to-date information on the Parents and Grandparents Program, including eligibility, application forms, and deadlines, visit the official IRCC Parents and Grandparents Program page.
If you need to submit your application, use the Permanent Residence Portal on the IRCC website. This portal is the only official way to submit your application electronically.
For those interested in the super visa, details and requirements are available on the IRCC Super Visa page.
Summary and Next Steps
The 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program intake offers a chance for up to 10,000 families to reunite in Canada 🇨🇦. With invitations going out starting July 28, 2025, sponsors who submitted Interest to Sponsor forms in 2020 should watch their emails closely and be ready to act quickly. The process is competitive, and only those invited can apply this year.
If you are not invited, the super visa remains a strong option for family visits. While the wait times are long and the number of spots is limited, the program continues to be a vital way for families to come together in Canada 🇨🇦.
Stay informed, prepare your documents, and consider all available options. For more details and official updates, always refer to the IRCC’s official Parents and Grandparents Program page.
By understanding the process and acting quickly, families can make the most of the opportunities available through the Parents and Grandparents Program and the super visa. The journey may be long, but for many, the chance to reunite with loved ones in Canada 🇨🇦 is worth the wait.
Learn Today
IRCC → Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the government agency managing immigration applications and policies in Canada.
Parents and Grandparents Program → A Canadian immigration program allowing citizens and residents to sponsor parents and grandparents for permanent residence.
Invitation to Apply (ITA) → An official invitation sent by IRCC allowing eligible sponsors to submit a complete sponsorship application.
Sponsorship undertaking → A legal promise by sponsors to financially support their family members for up to 20 years.
Super Visa → A multiple-entry visa allowing parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to five years per stay.
This Article in a Nutshell
The 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program starts July 28, offering 10,000 sponsorship spots for approved 2020 applicants. Sponsors must meet strict eligibility and income rules, apply electronically, and expect long waits. The Super Visa offers a temporary family reunification alternative during the lengthy processing times.
— By VisaVerge.com
