Canada to Open Intake for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Starting July 28, 2025
17,860 Invitations to Be Issued for Family Reunification Under the PGP — Applications Targeted at 10,000 This Year
Canadian citizens and permanent residents hoping to reunite with their parents or grandparents under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) will soon have their chance.
The federal government has officially announced that it will begin issuing invitations to apply (ITAs) for the PGP starting on July 28, 2025. The invitation round will roll out over a two-week period, with a total of 17,860 invitations expected to be sent.
The target for 2025 is to approve 10,000 complete sponsorship applications through this program.
Who Will Receive Invitations in 2025?
All invitations will be issued only to individuals who submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020. That means no new applications for interest to sponsor will be accepted this year.
The government continues to use a randomized lottery system to issue invitations from the existing 2020 submission pool, due to high demand and limited annual quotas.
If you submitted a form in 2020, keep an eye on your email during the invitation period. Only those who receive an official invitation will be eligible to submit a full application.
What Is the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)?
The Parents and Grandparents Program is part of Canada’s family reunification stream. It allows eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency in Canada.
Once approved, the sponsored relatives gain permanent resident status and can eventually apply for Canadian citizenship.
This program plays a vital role in allowing families to reunite and support each other across generations.
PGP Eligibility Requirements for Sponsors
To sponsor parents or grandparents under the PGP, sponsors must:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Reside in Canada at the time of the application
- Meet minimum income requirements for 3 consecutive tax years prior to application
- Agree to financially support their sponsored family members for 20 years (10 years in Quebec)
Sponsors must also sign a sponsorship agreement committing to their financial responsibilities and ensuring their relatives do not need social assistance.
Didn’t Get an Invitation? Consider the Super Visa
For those who do not receive an invitation through the PGP, Canada also offers the Super Visa—a powerful alternative for family reunification.
Key Features of the Super Visa:
- Allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time, with multiple entries for up to 10 years
- Much longer than standard visitor visas, which are valid for up to 6 months
- Offers flexibility for families while avoiding the limitations of annual PGP quotas
Super Visa Eligibility Criteria:
- The applicant must be admissible to Canada
- The Canadian host must:
- Provide a written promise of financial support
- Meet minimum income requirements
- Prove a parent–child relationship
- The applicant must have valid Canadian medical insurance for at least 1 year
The Super Visa is often a more accessible option, especially in years when PGP intake is limited.
What You Can Do Now
– If you submitted your Interest to Sponsor form in 2020:
Watch your inbox from July 28 to mid-August 2025. Invitations will go out during that time.
– If you didn’t submit in 2020:
Consider applying for a Super Visa to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada while awaiting future PGP opportunities.
For support with the application process, income requirements, or document preparation, reach out to a licensed immigration professional or trusted consultant.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
