Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is an anchor of family reunification efforts. The program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency which gives families the opportunity to live together in Canada and help individuals build multigenerational support systems in their new home.
In a surprising policy shift, CIC News reports that the Canadian government has significantly expanded the number of PGP applications it will process in 2025. This development marks a notable change from the government’s previous stance.
Key Changes to the PGP in 2025
- Increased Intake Cap
According to CIC, the federal government has confirmed that it will process up to 25,000 PGP sponsorship applications in 2025. This marks a substantial increase from the initial cap of 15,000 set earlier this year.
- Source of Applications
As outlined in the Ministerial Instructions published in the Canada Gazette on March 22, 2025, the expanded intake will include applications from both the 2024 and 2025 intakes.
- Policy Reversal
Earlier this year in January, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced it would not issue any new invitations to apply for the PGP this year. However, this changed on March 7, when the government confirmed it would indeed send new invitations in 2025, though no intake cap was mentioned at the time. The March update now clarifies that 25,000 applications will be accepted.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Lottery System from 2020 Pool
CIC confirms the use of a lottery-based selection system to manage demand. For the 2025 invitations, IRCC will draw potential sponsors from the 2020 interest to sponsor pool, the only intake round conducted since the program’s last opening.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, sponsors must:
- Be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or registered Indians
- Have submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in the 2020 intake
- Have the funds to sponsor and sign an undertaking
- Meet requirements under Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
Benefits for Successful Applicants
CIC News states Parents and grandparents who are successfully sponsored through the PGP are granted permanent resident status in Canada. This status comes with numerous advantages such as:
- Access to public healthcare
- The ability to live and work in Canada
- A pathway to Canadian citizenship
The Super Visa: A Long-Term Alternative
While the PGP offers permanent reunification, many families also rely on the Super Visa as a viable alternative especially given the program’s limited intake.
What It Offers
CIC states the Super Visa is a 10-year, multiple-entry visa that allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time, with the possibility of two-year extensions.
Eligibility Crieteria
To qualify, sponsors must:
- Be your child or grandchild and is 18+
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian;
- Provide a letter of invitation and meet income requirements;
Comparison to Regular Visitor Visas
Standard visitor visas only allow stays of up to six months. The Super Visa significantly extends this timeframe for more meaningful opportunities for long-term visits without permanent residency.
Why This Matters
Family Reunification Priority
This expansion reinforces Canada’s ongoing commitment to family reunification, a pillar of its immigration policy. For the benefit of both sponsors and their loved ones, family reunification helps support mental, emotional, and financial well-being.
Managing Demand
The use of the 2020 lottery pool shows how high the demand remains for the PGP. IRCC continues to work through the interest to sponsor 2020 forms which underlines the need for capacity management.
This unexpected expansion in the PGP intake for 2025 has offered renewed hope for many families still waiting to reunite in Canada. With ongoing changes in policy and eligibility rules, it’s more important than ever to get expert guidance. With IMM Consult, we help you navigate the complexities of sponsorship from understanding your eligibility to submitting a strong application.
