Parents and Grandparents Program Suspended in 2026: What It Means & Your Alternatives

Amir Ismail, RCIC #R412319 · Updated Oct 5, 2026 · 17 min read

Canada is not taking new Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) applications. IRCC calls it a pause, and it has given no date for reopening. (IRCC, updated August 18, 2026)

If you planned to sponsor your parents or grandparents, that news hurts. But you still have options today.

A Super Visa lets your parents stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time. IRCC also says you can apply for one while a PGP file is pending.

Key Takeaways: What You Need to Know Now

New PGP applications are paused. IRCC will not accept new interest to sponsor forms or invite sponsors to apply until further notice. Ministerial Instructions 89 (MI 89) took effect on January 1, 2026.
Some 2025 files are still moving. IRCC sent 17,860 invitations in 2025. MI 89 lets it take up to 10,000 applications from the 2025 intake into processing in 2026.
The wait is long. IRCC’s processing times tool shows about 28 months outside Quebec and about 63 months for Quebec-destined files (3 September 2026).
The Super Visa is the open door. It allows stays of up to 5 years at a time, with multiple entries for up to 10 years. It is visitor status, not permanent residence.
You can hold both. IRCC says you can apply for a Super Visa while your PGP file is pending, so you do not need to withdraw it.

No one can tell you when the PGP will reopen. Do not plan around a guess.

What You’ll Find on This Page

Is Canada Really Suspending PGP Applications in 2026?

No. IRCC is not taking new PGP applications in 2026, and it has not said when that will change. MI 89 took effect on January 1, 2026, and IRCC’s PGP page says it will not accept new interest to sponsor forms or invite potential sponsors to apply until further notice. (IRCC, updated August 18, 2026)

IRCC’s own word is paused. We use suspended in this article because many families search for that word.

MI 89 says the stop lasts until further instructions are issued. That is not an end date. It is not a rumor, and it is not a maybe.

What did IRCC say in its July 15, 2026 notice?

IRCC said it will keep processing existing applications and plans to approve up to 15,000 people for permanent residence through the PGP in 2026. It also said it will not receive new interest to sponsor forms until further notice. (IRCC, July 15, 2026)

You will see two numbers, and they count different things.

Source	What it counts	Number
MI 89, effective January 1, 2026	Applications from the 2025 intake taken into processing in 2026	Up to 10,000
IRCC notice, July 15, 2026	People approved for permanent residence through the PGP in 2026	Up to 15,000

One counts applications. The other counts people. IRCC’s pages do not explain how the two connect, so do not read 15,000 as a count of new spots.

Who Does the 2026 PGP Suspension Affect?

It affects every family that has not already filed a PGP application. It also affects families who were in the 2020 pool but were not invited in 2025. (IRCC, updated August 18, 2026)

You cannot start a PGP application right now. IRCC is not taking new interest to sponsor forms, so there is no form to file and no list to join. IRCC’s 2025 invitations came from the 2020 pool, not from new forms. (IRCC, March 7, 2025)

2. People Who Submitted a Form in 2020 But Were Not Invited in 2025

IRCC sent 17,860 invitations, starting July 28, 2025. The last day to apply was October 9, 2025. (IRCC, October 10, 2025)

If you were in the pool and did not get an invitation, IRCC has not said whether it will draw from that pool again. Do not count on it.

3. Families With Older Parents

If your parents are in their 70s or 80s, every year matters. The wait for files already in the system is long, so plan time together now.

Who is not affected by the pause?

If you were invited in 2025 and applied by October 9, 2025, the pause does not cancel your file. MI 89 lets IRCC take up to 10,000 applications from the 2025 intake into processing in 2026. (IRCC, MI 89)

We cannot tell from IRCC’s pages whether your own file is one of them. Check your IRCC account or ask an RCIC.

IRCC’s processing times tool shows about 28 months for files outside Quebec and about 63 months for Quebec-destined files, as of 3 September 2026. (IRCC)

Why Did IRCC Suspend New PGP Applications?

IRCC has not given one clear reason on the pages we read, so we can only show you the numbers it published. About 47,800 applications were waiting as of 3 September 2026, and the 2026 plan sets a target of 15,000 PGP admissions. (IRCC; IRCC, November 5, 2025)

Nobody outside IRCC can say the real reason. Be careful with posts that claim to know.

How many PGP applications are waiting?

IRCC’s processing times tool lists roughly 37,500 applications outside Quebec and 10,300 in Quebec waiting for a decision. (IRCC, 3 September 2026)

Here is the math. 48,400 + 12,100 = 60,500 applications. 60,500 / 15,000 = about 4 years of the 2026 target.

That is our own arithmetic, not an IRCC forecast. The target counts people, and the inventory counts applications, so treat it as a rough gauge only.

What do the 2026 to 2028 Levels Plan targets say?

The plan sets 380,000 permanent resident admissions in 2026, with a range of 350,000 to 420,000. It sets 15,000 for parents and grandparents, with a range of 13,000 to 19,000. (IRCC, November 5, 2025)

What Happens to 2025 PGP Applications?

If you were invited in 2025 and applied by October 9, 2025, IRCC says it will keep processing existing applications. MI 89 allows up to 10,000 applications from the 2025 intake into processing in 2026. (IRCC, July 15, 2026; IRCC, MI 89)

If you missed the October 9, 2025 deadline, IRCC says it is no longer accepting applications. You cannot file late.

You are now in the same spot as everyone else: waiting for the program to reopen.

If you filed an incomplete application in 2025, we could not confirm from IRCC’s pages what happens next. Ask an RCIC before you assume anything.

Your Best PGP Alternative: The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa

A Super Visa lets your parents or grandparents visit you for up to 5 years at a time, with multiple entries for up to 10 years. You can apply while the PGP is paused. (IRCC, July 6, 2026)

What Is the Super Visa?

The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa for the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Indians. Here are the key features.

Valid for up to 10 years with multiple entries, but never longer than the applicant’s biometrics
Stays of up to 5 years at a time (applications made on or after June 22, 2023)
You apply directly, with no invitation round
Fee: $100 per person, plus $85 for biometrics if it applies (IRCC, August 28, 2026)
No dependants on the application, says IRCC

Super Visa vs. PGP: What Is the Difference?

A Super Visa is not permanent residence. Your parent stays as a visitor. The PGP is the program that can lead to permanent residence for parents and grandparents.

Your parent:

Stays in Canada as a visitor
Must be outside Canada when they apply
Must show they are a genuine visitor who will leave by choice
Needs private medical insurance that meets IRCC’s rules

But here is why it works for many families right now. You can apply today. Not in 2027. Not “whenever IRCC reopens.” Today.

Can You Apply for a Super Visa While Your PGP File Is Pending?

Yes. IRCC says that if you have already submitted a sponsorship application, you can apply for a Super Visa while you wait for a decision. You can also withdraw the sponsorship application at any time and apply. (IRCC, July 6, 2026)

You do not need to withdraw. Withdrawing means giving up a file that IRCC is not letting anyone replace right now.

Want the full walkthrough? See how to apply for a Super Visa while your PGP file is pending.

Super Visa Eligibility Requirements

For the parents or grandparents (the applicants):

Be the biological or adopted parent or grandparent of the host
Take an immigration medical exam
Have private medical insurance that meets IRCC’s rules
Show they are a genuine visitor who will leave by choice, including ties to their home country
Be allowed to enter Canada
Be outside Canada when they apply

For the Canadian host (you):

Be the applicant’s biological or adopted child or grandchild
Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian, at least 18 years old, and living in Canada
Meet the minimum necessary income (MNI)
Give a signed letter of invitation

What Income Do You Need for a Super Visa in 2026?

You must meet IRCC’s minimum necessary income (MNI) for your family size. Meet the full amount in either of the 2 tax years before you apply, or reach at least 75% in the year before and let your parents’ income cover the rest. (IRCC, July 6, 2026; IRCC notice, March 20, 2026)

Family size counts your household plus the parents you invite. It can also count earlier Super Visa holders whose visas are still valid, and people you sponsored earlier whose undertaking is still in effect (IRCC operational manual).

Family size	Minimum necessary income (CAD)
1	$30,526
2	$38,002
3	$46,720
4	$56,724
5	$64,336
6	$72,560
7	$80,784
Each extra person	Add $8,224

Source: IRCC, table updated July 29, 2025. IRCC updates this table, so check the current figure before you file.

Here is an example. You live alone and invite both parents, so your family size is 3. The full MNI is $46,720.

Under the 75% option, $46,720 x 0.75 = $35,040. If you and a co-signer reach $35,040, your parents’ income must cover the other $11,680 ($46,720 minus $35,040). This is an example, not advice for your file.

If you are just under the line, a co-signer’s income can be added. Read our Super Visa income requirements guide for the full walkthrough.

What Medical Insurance Does a Super Visa Require?

The policy must give at least $100,000 in emergency coverage and stay valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry. It must come from a Canadian insurer or a foreign insurer that OSFI has authorized. (IRCC, July 30, 2026)

IRCC says the policy must cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation, and it must be valid for each entry to Canada. You can pay in full or in instalments with a deposit. A quote is not accepted, so you need proof of a real policy.

Prices vary with age, health, deductible and coverage amount. Get quotes from several insurers, then buy a policy that meets IRCC’s rules. You can check an insurer on OSFI’s list of regulated institutions.

How Long Does Super Visa Processing Take?

It varies by country. IRCC says the time it shows does not include the time you need to give biometrics. (IRCC, July 6, 2026)

Check IRCC’s processing times tool for your parent’s country before you plan travel. For comparison, IRCC put PGP processing at about 28 months outside Quebec as of 3 September 2026.

Can You Extend a Super Visa Stay?

IRCC says that before your status in Canada expires, you must leave Canada or apply to extend your stay. IRCC’s visitor record page says you must apply before your current status expires. (IRCC, July 6, 2026; IRCC, January 9, 2026)

The visitor record page does not name Super Visa holders, so we cannot confirm from it exactly how it applies to them. If a stay is running out, ask an RCIC well before the deadline.

Option 2: Regular Visitor Visa or eTA

A regular visitor visa or an eTA fits shorter visits. IRCC says most visitors can stay up to 6 months, and the border officer may allow less or more. (IRCC Help Centre)

If the Super Visa rules feel like too much, this is the route for short trips.

What Is a Regular Visitor Visa?

A visitor visa is a temporary resident visa that lets a person visit Canada. IRCC says it can be issued for up to 10 years or until the passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first. (IRCC, August 28, 2026)

The fee is $100 for processing and $85 for biometrics. Here is how the two visas compare.

Feature	Super Visa	Visitor Visa
Usual stay per visit	Up to 5 years at a time	Most visitors up to 6 months
Validity	Up to 10 years, never longer than biometrics	Up to 10 years or until passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first
Fee	$100 plus $85 biometrics if it applies	$100 plus $85 biometrics
Medical insurance	Required, $100,000 minimum	Not listed on IRCC’s visitor visa page
Host income (MNI)	Required	Not listed on IRCC’s visitor visa page

Source for the table: IRCC, July 6, 2026; IRCC, August 28, 2026; IRCC Help Centre.

Who Should Choose a Visitor Visa Instead of a Super Visa?

Choose a visitor visa if the visit is short or you cannot meet the Super Visa rules. Here are the common cases.

Your parents plan visits of under 6 months at a time
You do not meet the Super Visa income rule
Your parent cannot get a policy that meets IRCC’s insurance rules

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

If your parents come from a visa-exempt country, they need an eTA instead of a visitor visa. Check IRCC’s visa-exempt country list to see where your parent’s country stands.

The eTA costs $7 CAD (IRCC, August 28, 2026). IRCC says it is valid for up to 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and stays are normally up to 6 months at a time.

Can You Extend a Visitor Stay?

Yes. A visitor can apply for a visitor record, but they must apply before their current status expires. (IRCC, January 9, 2026)

Check IRCC’s current fee list for the price. Do not wait until the last week.

Super Visa vs. Visitor Visa: Which Should You Choose?

Choose the Super Visa if your parents want long stays and you meet the income rule. Choose a visitor visa for shorter trips. (IRCC, July 6, 2026)

Here is the decision framework.

Choose a Super Visa if:

Your parents want to stay in Canada longer than 6 months at a time
You meet the minimum necessary income
Your parents can pass the immigration medical exam
You can buy insurance that meets IRCC’s rules
You want to avoid repeated extension applications

Choose a Visitor Visa if:

Your parents plan short visits, from a few weeks to a few months
You do not meet the Super Visa income rule
Your parent cannot get qualifying insurance
They are comfortable applying for an extension if a stay runs long

Here is the honest take. For parents who want long stays, the Super Visa usually saves effort, and for short yearly visits a visitor visa often fits better. A blog post cannot judge your parent’s health or your file, but an RCIC can.

When Will the PGP Reopen?

Nobody outside IRCC knows. IRCC says it will not accept new interest to sponsor forms until further notice, and it has given no date. (IRCC, updated August 18, 2026)

What we know:

The program is paused until further notice
MI 89 took effect on January 1, 2026
IRCC plans to approve up to 15,000 people through the PGP in 2026 (IRCC, July 15, 2026)

What we do not know:

When, or if, a new intake will open
Whether IRCC will draw from the 2020 pool again
Whether the application process will change

Here is the reality check. IRCC’s 2025 invitations came from the 2020 pool, not from new forms. So a long gap between intakes has happened before. (IRCC, March 7, 2025)

What should you do while you wait?

Do not put your family’s life on hold for a reopening date
Apply for a Super Visa now if your family qualifies
Check IRCC’s official PGP page for notices
If you are in the 2020 pool, keep your contact details current in your IRCC account

What You Can Do Right Now

If you want to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada in 2026, start with these steps.

Action Step 1: Apply for a Super Visa

Don’t wait for PGP to reopen. Start the Super Visa application process.

Check your income against IRCC’s MNI table
Get insurance quotes from approved insurers, then buy a policy (IRCC does not accept quotes)
Book your parents’ immigration medical exams
Prepare your signed letter of invitation
Gather proof of your status, your relationship and your income

Action Step 2: Get Ready in Case the PGP Reopens

If a new intake opens, sponsors will face an income test. Keep your tax filings current and your income records in order.

If you already have a pending PGP file, do not withdraw it unless your whole family has decided permanent residence is no longer the plan.

Action Step 3: Consider a Co-Signer

If you are just under the income line, a co-signer’s income can be added. Ask an RCIC how that works for your family.

Action Step 4: Stay Informed

Check IRCC’s official PGP page regularly
Read IRCC notices on canada.ca
Ignore social media posts that claim to know a reopening date

Not sure which path fits your family? Book Your Strategy Assessment with Amir Ismail, RCIC #R412319.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Parents and Grandparents Program accepting applications in 2026?

No. IRCC is not accepting new PGP applications or new interest to sponsor forms until further notice. MI 89 took effect on January 1, 2026. (IRCC, updated August 18, 2026)

Can I apply for a Super Visa while my PGP application is pending?

Yes. IRCC says that if you have already submitted a sponsorship application, you can apply for a Super Visa while you wait for a decision. You can also withdraw the application at any time. (IRCC, July 6, 2026)

Can I still sponsor my parents to Canada in 2026?

Not for permanent residence through the PGP right now. You can bring them to Canada as visitors through a Super Visa or a regular visitor visa. Neither one leads to permanent residence by itself.

What happens if I did not get a PGP invitation in 2025?

IRCC has not said whether it will draw from the 2020 pool again. Your best option is to pursue a Super Visa now rather than wait with no date.

How long will the PGP pause last?

IRCC has not said. It says it will not accept new interest to sponsor forms until further notice. Any reopening date you see online is a guess.

What is the difference between a Super Visa and the PGP?

The PGP can lead to permanent residence. A Super Visa is visitor status, with stays of up to 5 years at a time and multiple entries for up to 10 years. (IRCC, July 6, 2026)

Do I need insurance for a Super Visa?

Yes. The policy needs at least $100,000 in emergency coverage, must be valid for at least 1 year from entry, and must cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation. IRCC does not accept a quote. (IRCC, July 30, 2026)

How much does Super Visa insurance cost?

IRCC sets no price. Cost depends on age, health, deductible and coverage amount. Get several quotes, then buy a policy that meets IRCC’s rules.

Can I extend a Super Visa stay beyond 5 years?

Before status expires, IRCC says you must leave Canada or apply to extend. The IRCC pages we read do not name a fixed extension length for Super Visa holders, so ask an RCIC.

What is the minimum income requirement for a Super Visa?

It depends on family size. For a family of 3, IRCC’s table shows $46,720. Under the 75% option, you must reach at least $35,040, and your parents’ income covers the rest. (IRCC, table updated July 29, 2025; IRCC notice, March 20, 2026)

Can I use a visitor visa instead of a Super Visa?

Yes. Most visitors can stay up to 6 months, and the border officer may allow less or more. It suits shorter visits. (IRCC Help Centre)

What if my parents are from a visa-exempt country?

They need an eTA instead of a visitor visa. It costs $7 CAD and is valid for up to 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. (IRCC, August 28, 2026)

Will IRCC draw from the 2020 pool again?

IRCC has not confirmed this. If you are in the pool, keep your contact details current and watch for notices, but do not rely on it as your only plan.

Can both of my parents apply for a Super Visa?

Yes. Both parents can apply. Family size for the income test counts both of them.

What happens if the PGP never reopens?

IRCC has not answered that. Existing files are still being processed, and the Super Visa and visitor routes stay open. Nobody can say whether the PGP will change.

Is there another way to sponsor parents for permanent residence outside the PGP?

We could not confirm any other IRCC stream made for parents and grandparents. Talk to an RCIC about your facts before you decide.

Can my parents switch from a visitor visa to a Super Visa while in Canada?

No. A parent or grandparent must be outside Canada when they submit a Super Visa application. (IRCC, July 6, 2026)

What documents do I need for a Super Visa application?

IRCC’s list includes a signed letter of invitation with proof of your income and a list of family members, proof of your status, proof of relationship, proof of the insurance policy and the medical exam, and certified translations of any document not in English or French. (IRCC, July 6, 2026)

Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait for Perfect. Act on What’s Possible

The PGP pause is disappointing.

If you have been waiting since 2020 to sponsor your parents, you have every right to be frustrated.

But here is what I have learned in 35 years of immigration consulting. The families who succeed are the ones who adapt.

You can’t control when IRCC will reopen the PGP. You can’t control whether you will be selected in a future draw.

You can control whether you act today on the pathways that are open. The Super Visa is not permanent residence, but it is available, and it can get your family together sooner.

Every month of waiting is a month apart. If your parents are aging, or you want your children to know their grandparents, start your Super Visa application now.

Need Help Choosing Your Next Step?

The PGP pause has left thousands of families unsure about what to do next. Whether to apply for a Super Visa, wait for the PGP, or plan for both depends on your family, your income and your goals.

For personalized guidance on bringing your parents or grandparents to Canada, Book Your Strategy Assessment with Amir Ismail, RCIC #R412319.

With over 35 years of experience as a Licensed Immigration Consultant (RCIC), Amir can help you: