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

Last Updated: January 10, 2026

If you’ve been planning to sponsor your parents or grandparents to Canada, the news you’ve probably been dreading is now official.

Canada has suspended new Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) applications starting January 1, 2026.

No new sponsorship applications.

No new permanent residence pathways for parents and grandparents.

And no confirmed date when the program will reopen.

The truth is, thousands of Canadian families woke up in 2026 facing a hard reality: the pathway they’d been counting on is closed indefinitely.

But here’s what you need to know right now, this doesn’t mean you’re out of options.

Key Takeaways: What You Need to Know NOW

The 2026 PGP suspension means:

• No new PGP applications accepted: starting January 1, 2026, this is confirmed by IRCC Ministerial Instructions (MI89)
• 2025 applications still being processed: if you received an invitation in 2025 (from the July 28–October 9 window), your application continues
• No new “Interest to Sponsor” forms: IRCC is not accepting new entries into the pool
• Super Visa is your fastest alternative: allows parents to stay up to 5 years at a time, multiple entries over 10 years
• No reopening date announced: any claims about when PGP will accept new applications are speculation

If you didn’t receive a 2025 invitation, you need to shift strategy immediately.

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Is Canada Really Suspending PGP Applications in 2026?

Yes. This is confirmed.

As of January 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is not accepting any new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program.

This comes directly from Ministerial Instructions 89 (MI89), issued by IRCC in March 2025.

Here’s the official language:

“As of January 1, 2026, no new permanent resident visa applications made by parents or grandparents of a sponsor, and no sponsorship applications made in relation to those applications, are to be received for processing until further instructions are issued.”

What does “until further instructions are issued” mean?

It means IRCC hasn’t said when, or if, the program will reopen for new applications.

The 2026 suspension isn’t a rumor. It’s not “maybe happening.” It’s here.

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Who Does 2026 PGP Suspention Affect?

The 2026 PGP suspension directly impacts:

1. People Who Never Submitted an “Interest to Sponsor” Form

If you never entered the PGP lottery pool (which last accepted entries in 2020), you have no pathway to PGP right now.

You can’t submit a new interest form. You can’t join a waiting list.

The program is closed to you until IRCC announces a new intake, and there’s no date for that.

2. People Who Submitted Interest Forms in 2020 But Didn’t Get Invited in 2025

IRCC sent out 17,860 invitations between July 28 and October 9, 2025, all drawn from the 2020 pool.

If you were in that pool and didn’t receive an invitation, you’re now in limbo.

Your 2020 interest form is still technically “in the system,” but IRCC hasn’t said whether they’ll continue drawing from that pool when the program eventually reopens.

The harsh reality? You could be waiting years with no guarantee you’ll ever be selected.

3. People Whose Parents Are Aging and Time-Sensitive

This is the group facing the most anxiety.

If your parents are in their 70s or 80s, every year of delay matters.

The truth is, the PGP suspension creates a time crunch for families where age and health are working against them.

Who Is NOT Affected?

If you received an invitation to apply in 2025 and submitted your complete application by the October 9, 2025 deadline, your application will continue to be processed.

IRCC confirmed they will process up to 10,000 complete applications from the 2025 intake.

Current processing time for PGP applications: approximately 24 months.

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Why Did IRCC Suspend New PGP Applications?

IRCC’s official reason: backlog management and alignment with reduced immigration targets.

Here’s what that actually means:

1. The Backlog Problem

By the end of 2023, over 40,000 PGP applications were still pending.

Even with 10,000 new applications accepted in 2025, IRCC is struggling to process existing cases in a reasonable timeframe.

The current processing time is 24 months, and that’s AFTER you get invited to apply.

2. Canada’s Reduced Immigration Targets

Under the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada is cutting permanent resident admissions.

The 2026 target: 380,000 new permanent residents (down 4% from 2025).

The PGP falls under the “Family” category, which competes for space with spousal sponsorship and other family reunification streams.

IRCC made a strategic choice: prioritize clearing existing applications over accepting new ones.

3. The Political Reality

Let’s be blunt.

The PGP has always been politically sensitive because of the financial commitment involved.

Sponsors sign a 20-year undertaking (10 years in Quebec) to support their parents/grandparents financially.

If sponsored parents rely on social assistance, the sponsor is legally required to repay the government.

With Canada tightening immigration across the board, the PGP became an easy target for suspension.

The bottom line: The suspension isn’t temporary frustration. It’s a policy realignment that could last multiple years.

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What Happens to 2025 PGP Applications?

If you received a 2025 invitation and submitted your application by October 9, 2025:

Your application will be processed normally.

IRCC will work through up to 10,000 complete applications from the 2025 intake.

Current processing time: 24 months for applicants outside Quebec.

If you received a 2025 invitation but MISSED the October 9 deadline:

Your invitation has expired. You cannot submit a late application.

You’re now in the same position as everyone else: waiting for the program to reopen.

If you submitted an incomplete application in 2025:

IRCC will NOT process incomplete applications.

If your application was missing required documents or information, it will be returned.

You cannot resubmit it in 2026.

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Your Best PGP Alternative: The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa

Here’s the good news you’ve been waiting for.

While PGP is closed, the Super Visa is wide open.

And for most families, it’s actually a better immediate solution than waiting years for PGP to reopen.

What Is the Super Visa?

The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa specifically designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Key features:

• Valid for up to 10 years (multiple entries)
• Stay up to 5 years per entry (for applications submitted after June 22, 2023)
• No annual lottery system, you can apply anytime
• Faster processing than PGP
• No 20-year financial undertaking

Super Visa vs. PGP: The Critical Difference

Let’s be clear about what the Super Visa is NOT:

It is NOT permanent residence.

Your parents/grandparents will be temporary residents (visitors) while in Canada.

They:

• Cannot work in Canada
• Cannot access provincial healthcare (they need private insurance)
• Cannot apply for Canadian citizenship
• Must maintain ties to their home country

But here’s why it works for most families right now:

You can apply TODAY. Not in 2027. Not “whenever IRCC reopens.” Today.

And your parents can be in Canada spending time with you and their grandchildren while you wait to see if PGP ever reopens.

Super Visa Eligibility Requirements

For the Parents/Grandparents (the applicants):

• Must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Must pass a medical examination
• Must have private medical insurance from a Canadian or approved foreign insurer (minimum $100,000 coverage, valid for at least 1 year)
• Must demonstrate ties to their home country (property, employment, family)
• Must not be inadmissible to Canada (no serious criminal record or health risks)

For the Canadian Host (you, the sponsor):

• Must meet Minimum Necessary Income (Low Income Cut-Off) for ONE year only (not 3 years like PGP)
• Must provide a signed letter of invitation
• Must show proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residence

Minimum Income Requirements for Super Visa (LICO)

Your total family size determines the minimum income you must show.

Family size includes:

• You
• Your spouse/partner
• Your dependent children
• The parents/grandparents you’re inviting

2025 LICO Table (used for 2026 Super Visa applications):

Family Size	Minimum Annual Income Required
1 person	$29,380
2 persons	$36,576
3 persons	$44,966
4 persons	$54,594
5 persons	$61,920
6 persons	$69,834
7 persons	$77,750
7+ persons	Add $7,916 for each additional person

Example: If you’re bringing both parents, and you live alone in Canada (just you), your family size would be 3 (you + 2 parents).

You’d need to show income of at least $44,966 for the most recent tax year.

Super Visa Insurance: What You MUST Know

This is where most Super Visa applications fail.

Insurance is mandatory. No exceptions.

Your parents/grandparents must have:

• Minimum $100,000 in emergency medical coverage
• Valid for at least 1 year from date of entry
• Covers healthcare, hospitalization, AND repatriation (return of remains in case of death)
• Fully paid (not just a quote)

Where can you buy it?

As of January 28, 2025, IRCC allows insurance from:

1. Canadian insurance companies
2. Foreign insurance companies authorized by OSFI (Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions) to operate in Canada

Check OSFI’s public list of federally regulated financial institutions to verify eligibility.

How much does Super Visa insurance cost?

Approximately $100-$200 per month ($1,200-$2,400 per year) per person.

Cost factors:

• Age (older applicants pay more)
• Pre-existing medical conditions (affects coverage and cost)
• Deductible chosen (higher deductible = lower premium)
• Coverage amount ($100K minimum, but many choose $150K-$300K)

Critical insurance tip: Do NOT buy insurance that doesn’t meet IRCC requirements.

Border officers WILL ask to see proof of valid, paid insurance when your parents arrive in Canada.

If the policy doesn’t meet requirements, they can be denied entry.

How Long Does Super Visa Processing Take?

Processing times vary by country, but generally:

60-120 days from application submission.

Much faster than the 24+ month PGP processing time.

Can You Extend a Super Visa?

Yes.

Super Visa holders can apply for a 2-year extension while in Canada if they want to stay beyond the initial 5-year authorized period.

Insurance must remain valid for the entire stay.

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Option 2: Regular Visitor Visa or eTA

If the Super Visa requirements feel too complex or expensive, there’s a simpler option for short-term visits.

What Is a Regular Visitor Visa?

A standard temporary resident visa that allows visits to Canada for up to 6 months at a time.

Key differences from Super Visa:

Feature	Super Visa	Visitor Visa
Maximum stay per entry	Up to 5 years	Up to 6 months (extendable)
Valid for	Up to 10 years	Up to 10 years
Insurance required?	YES (mandatory, $100K minimum)	NO (but strongly recommended)
Medical exam required?	YES	NO
Income requirement for host	YES (must meet LICO)	NO
Best for	Long-term stays	Short visits (weeks to months)

Who Should Choose a Visitor Visa Instead of Super Visa?

Choose a visitor visa if:

• Your parents plan to visit for less than 6 months at a time
• You don’t meet the LICO income requirement for Super Visa
• Your parents have health conditions that make the mandatory medical exam difficult
• You want a simpler, lower-cost application process

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

If your parents are from a visa-exempt country, they don’t need a visitor visa, they need an eTA.

eTA-eligible countries include:

• United Kingdom
• Australia
• Most European Union countries
• United Arab Emirates
• And others (check IRCC’s visa-exempt country list)

Cost: $7 CAD Processing: Usually approved within minutes Valid: Up to 5 years

Can You Extend a Visitor Visa Stay?

Yes.

Visitors can apply to extend their stay before their current status expires.

Extension applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the expiry of their current status.

Cost: $100 CAD per person

Processing time: Varies (typically 60-120 days)

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

Here’s the decision framework:

Choose Super Visa if:

✅ Your parents want to spend multiple years in Canada consecutively

✅ You meet the LICO income requirements

✅ Your parents can pass a medical exam

✅ You’re willing to pay for comprehensive insurance ($1,200-$2,400/year)

✅ You want to avoid constant 6-month extension cycles

Choose Visitor Visa if:

✅ Your parents plan short visits (a few weeks to a few months)

✅ You don’t meet Super Visa income requirements

✅ Your parents have health issues that complicate medical exams

✅ You want a simpler, cheaper process

✅ They’re comfortable applying for extensions every 6 months if needed

The truth most consultants won’t tell you:

For families where parents are healthy, under 75, and planning extended stays, the Super Visa almost always makes more sense than cycling through visitor visa extensions.

But if your parents are over 80, have serious health conditions, or only want short annual visits, the visitor visa is often the smarter choice.

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When Will the PGP Reopen?

The honest answer: Nobody knows.

IRCC has provided zero indication of when new PGP applications will be accepted.

What we know:

• The program is suspended “until further instructions are issued”
• No new interest-to-sponsor intake has been announced
• No timeline has been provided

What we DON’T know:

• Whether IRCC will draw from the existing 2020 pool again
• When (or if) a new intake will open
• Whether the application process will change when it reopens

Here’s the reality check:

The PGP was closed to new interest forms in 2020.

Between 2020 and 2025, IRCC only processed applications from that 2020 pool.

That’s 5 years of no new entries.

Could it happen again? Absolutely.

What should you do while waiting?

1. Don’t put your family’s life on hold hoping PGP reopens in 2027 or 2028
2. Pursue Super Visa NOW as your practical solution
3. Monitor IRCC announcements (check canada.ca/sponsor-parents-grandparents)
4. If you’re in the 2020 pool, keep your contact information current with IRCC

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What You Can Do Right Now

If you want to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada in 2026:

Action Step 1: Apply for Super Visa Immediately

Don’t wait for PGP to reopen.

Start the Super Visa application process:

1. Check your income against LICO requirements
2. Get quotes for Super Visa insurance from OSFI-approved providers
3. Book medical exams for your parents (must be with IRCC panel physicians)
4. Prepare your letter of invitation
5. Gather financial documents (Notice of Assessment, pay stubs, employment letter)

Action Step 2: Prepare Financially for PGP (If It Reopens)

Even while pursuing Super Visa, you can prepare for a potential PGP reopening:

• Maintain income above Minimum Necessary Income for your family size for 3 consecutive years
• Keep tax filings current with CRA
• Document your financial stability (employment letters, bank statements)

If PGP reopens, you’ll be ready to apply immediately.

Action Step 3: Consider Co-Signer Options

If you’re just under the income requirement, remember:

Your spouse or common-law partner can co-sign to help you meet the threshold.

Your combined incomes count toward the requirement.

Action Step 4: Stay Informed

• Subscribe to IRCC updates at canada.ca
• Check the official PGP page regularly for announcements
• Follow reputable immigration news sources

Warning: Don’t believe social media rumors about reopening dates. Only trust official IRCC announcements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The PGP suspension is disappointing.

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

But here’s what I’ve learned in 34 years of immigration consulting:

The families who succeed are the ones who adapt.

You can’t control when IRCC will reopen PGP.

You can’t control whether you’ll be selected in a future lottery.

You CAN control whether you take action today to bring your parents to Canada through the pathways that are actually open.

The Super Visa isn’t perfect, it’s not permanent residence.

But it’s available. It’s faster. And it gets your family together NOW instead of years from now.

Time is the one resource you can’t get back.

If your parents are aging, if you want your children to know their grandparents, if family time matters to you, stop waiting for PGP to reopen and start your Super Visa application.

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Need Help Navigating Your Options?

The 2026 PGP suspension has left thousands of families uncertain about their next steps.

Whether you should pursue Super Visa, wait for PGP, or explore other immigration pathways depends on your specific family situation, financial circumstances, and long-term goals.

For personalized guidance on bringing your parents or grandparents to Canada, contact Amir Ismail at www.amirismail.com/book-a-consultation.

With over 34 years of experience as a Licensed Immigration Consultant (RCIC), Amir can help you:

• Assess whether Super Visa or visitor visa is right for your family
• Navigate income requirements and insurance options
• Prepare strong applications that avoid common refusal reasons
• Develop a strategic backup plan if PGP eventually reopens

Your family’s reunification shouldn’t be delayed by policy uncertainty.

Let’s find the pathway that works for you, today.

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Sources:

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – Sponsor your parents and grandparents
• IRCC – Ministerial Instructions 89 (MI89)
• IRCC – Super visa eligibility
• Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) – Federally Regulated Financial Institutions

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