Missed out on a PGP invite? Here’s how Canada’s Super Visa can help
IRCC to reopen Parents and Grandparents Programme with 10,000 invitations from 28th July
Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed that the Parents and Grandparents Programme (PGP) intake for 2025 will open on 28th July, with up to 10,000 invitations to apply expected to be issued.
The invitations will be sent over a two-week period, concluding by mid-August.
Only those who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 will be eligible for consideration in this year’s intake. There will be no new interest forms accepted. Applicants are advised to check the email address they provided in 2020, including their junk or spam folders.
How the PGP works
The Parents and Grandparents Programme allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence. This pathway supports long-term family reunification, offering permanent residency to eligible relatives.
Invited sponsors will be able to submit their applications online through either the Permanent Residence Portal (individual applicants) or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal (for authorised representatives).
Who is eligible this year
Only candidates who completed the interest to sponsor form in 2020 and have not yet received an invitation are eligible for this year’s PGP intake. The IRCC will not reopen the form for new submissions due to the high volume of interest forms still in the 2020 pool.
Those receiving invitations must submit complete electronic applications through the designated portals mentioned above.
Planning to sponsor your parents and grandparents? Here's how to apply.
If you’re not selected
Applicants not invited in the 2025 round still have an alternative: the super visa. This visa is valid for up to 10 years and allows multiple entries. Each stay can last up to 5 years, with the option to extend for up to 2 additional years without leaving Canada.
Here's how to apply for Canada's Super Visa
The super visa remains a practical option for families hoping to spend extended time together while awaiting a future PGP opportunity.