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Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Paused: What Are Your Options Now?

Canada's Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship program is paused. Learn what this means for new applicants, existing applications, and the Super Visa alternative.

Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship (PGP) is Currently Paused

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is currently paused. According to IRCC's official website, "We've paused this program" and no new interest to sponsor forms will be accepted, nor will new invitations be issued until further notice.

If you were planning to sponsor your parents, you cannot submit a new application right now. This is not a documentation issue; the program is on hold.

What About Existing Applications?

If you already submitted a sponsorship application, rest assured that IRCC will continue processing existing applications. However, processing times may change, so check the official "Processing times" page regularly.

Alternative: Super Visa

If your parents want to stay in Canada for a longer period, consider the Super Visa. This visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for 5 years at a time, and they can apply for a 2-year extension while still in Canada.

The Super Visa is different from a regular visitor visa; it's designed specifically for parents and grandparents. It has its own requirements, such as income and medical insurance, which you should check on the official website.

Common Pitfalls

  • Beware of scams: During the pause, anyone claiming they can file a PGP application for you is fraudulent.
  • Don't submit duplicate interest forms: Even if the program reopens, duplicates won't increase your chances and may be rejected.
  • Super Visa is not immigration: It's temporary residence only. If PGP reopens, you'll still need to apply separately.

Official Sources

For the latest updates, always refer to the official IRCC website.

Official sources

Rules and fees change. Check the official pages below before you act — they are what this guide was written from.

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