New PR Invitations Coming! Canada’s Parents & Grandparents Sponsorship 2025

Major Update on Family Sponsorship in Canada

Canada’s immigration department has announced a new round of invitations for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) in 2025. This provides an opportunity for eligible Canadians and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency.

New Invitations Announced for 2025

On March 7, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed that it will be issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the PGP later this year. This marks a shift from the earlier decision in January 2025, where IRCC stated that no new invitations would be issued under the program, and only applications from the 2024 intake would be processed.

This latest development means that individuals who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 may now receive an invitation to apply in 2025.

Timing and Selection Process

• The government has not specified the exact date when invitations will be sent but has assured that further details will be shared in the coming months.

• IRCC continues to use a lottery-based system to randomly select potential sponsors from the 2020 pool.

• To date, all invitations under the PGP have been extended only to applicants from the 2020 intake, as the intake has not reopened since then.

  
  

Alternative Sponsorship Option – The Super Visa

For those who are not selected under the PGP, the Super Visa program remains a viable alternative. This allows parents and grandparents to visit their family in Canada for extended periods.

Key Features of the Super Visa Program:

• Valid for up to 10 years with multiple entries.

• Allows holders to stay in Canada for up to five years per visit, with the option to extend for an additional two years.

• Sponsors must meet minimum income requirements.

• Applicants must purchase third-party health insurance for the duration of their stay.

• Recent changes to the program have expanded health insurance options, making it more accessible.

Understanding the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

The PGP is a family reunification pathway that allows Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency.

Eligibility Requirements for Sponsors:

• Must meet minimum income thresholds.

• Their relative(s) must be admissible to Canada.

• Sponsors must submit an interest to sponsor form to be considered.

Since 2020, IRCC has not reopened the PGP intake, but it continues to issue ITAs from the pool of applications submitted that year.

What This Means for Potential Sponsors

With the 2025 round of invitations, those who expressed interest in 2020 may finally get the opportunity to apply. However, the program remains highly competitive due to its limited intake and random selection process.

For those looking for an alternative, the Super Visa provides a more predictable and flexible option for family reunification.