Canada to begin issuing invitations for Parents and Grandparents Program from July 28

The Canadian government will begin issuing invitations to sponsor under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) starting July 28, 2025, according to an official statement by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This move will allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents another chance to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada on a permanent basis.

Invitations to be issued from July 28

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will send 17,860 invitations over a two-week period, aiming to accept 10,000 complete applications for the 2025 cycle. All invitations will go to potential sponsors who had submitted an "Interest to Sponsor" form during the 2020 intake.

This intake remains limited to those who applied in 2020, as the form has not reopened since.

Program details: Who can sponsor

The PGP is designed to support family reunification by allowing eligible individuals to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency in Canada.

Sponsors must be:

• Canadian citizens,
• Permanent residents, or
• Registered Indians under the Canadian Indian Act.

Applicants can only proceed if they receive an official invitation from the government.

Because demand for the program exceeds the available number of spots, the government continues to use a lottery-style system to randomly select eligible applicants from the 2020 submissions.

Long wait for new interest to sponsor submissions

As of now, the government has not announced plans to reopen the interest to sponsor form, meaning only those who applied in 2020 are eligible for the current round.

Families hoping for future sponsorship opportunities must continue to monitor announcements from IRCC regarding any changes to program access or eligibility.

Alternate pathway: The Super Visa

Those not selected in the PGP draw may still apply for a Super Visa, which allows parents or grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 10 years with multiple entries.

This visa differs from a regular visitor visa, which typically allows a stay of up to six months.

To qualify for a Super Visa, applicants must:

• Purchase qualifying medical insurance
• Be found admissible to Canada

Hosts in Canada must:

• Meet minimum income requirements
• Provide a written commitment of financial support for the visitors

The Super Visa remains a viable alternative for families waiting for permanent residency options.