Canadian citizens and permanent residents have a new opportunity to reunite with family through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) begins sending invitations starting July 28, 2025.
2025 Invitation Process
Starting July 28, 2025, IRCC will send 17,860 invitations to apply over approximately two weeks, with the goal of accepting 10,000 complete applications for this year’s intake. These invitations will be randomly selected from the pool of potential sponsors who submitted interest to sponsor forms during the 2020 intake period.
The invitation process represents a significant development after IRCC initially announced in January 2025 that no new invitations would be sent under the PGP this year. However, following an update in March 2025, the government reversed this decision to facilitate more family reunifications.
Understanding the Parents and Grandparents Program
The PGP serves as Canada’s primary family reunification pathway, allowing eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency. Due to overwhelming demand that consistently exceeds available spots, the program operates through a lottery-based invitation system.
Key program features include:
Eligibility Requirements: Only those who submitted interest to sponsor forms in 2020 are eligible for current invitations. The program has not reopened for new expressions of interest since 2020, making this a finite pool of potential sponsors.
Application Process: Sponsors must receive an official invitation before submitting a complete application. Once invited, applicants typically have 60 days to submit their complete sponsorship package with all required documentation.
Financial Obligations: Sponsors must demonstrate they meet minimum income requirements and commit to financially supporting their sponsored relatives for a specified period.
Super Visa: An Alternative Path
For those who don’t receive PGP invitations, the Super Visa program offers a valuable alternative for extended family visits. The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to 10 years, significantly longer than standard visitor visas which typically permit stays of only six months.
Super Visa Requirements
For the Applicant:
- Must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Must apply from outside Canada
- Requires valid private health insurance coverage for at least one year
- Must be admissible to Canada under immigration law
For the Host (Canadian child/grandchild):
- Must meet minimum income requirements based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO)
- Must provide a letter of invitation and financial support commitment
- Must demonstrate ongoing financial stability through tax documents
Health Insurance: Super Visa holders must maintain valid health insurance throughout their stay in Canada, and may need to renew coverage if it expires before departure.
Next Steps for Potential Sponsors
Individuals who submitted interest to sponsor forms in 2020 should monitor their email accounts closely starting July 28, 2025. Invitations will be sent to the email address provided in the original 2020 submission, so ensuring access to that email account is crucial.
Those selected should be prepared to act quickly, as invitation periods are typically limited and require prompt submission of complete application packages with all supporting documentation.
For families not selected in this round, the Super Visa remains an excellent option for bringing parents and grandparents to Canada for extended visits while potentially waiting for future PGP opportunities.
Sources:
