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January 4, 2025

Canada pauses permanent residency sponsorship applications for parents, grandparents- 2025

Planning to sponsor your parents or grandparents to Canada in 2025? You may need to reconsider your timeline. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially paused new permanent residency sponsorship applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for the year 2025. At Berakah Study Abroad, we help families stay informed on the latest Canadian immigration updates and provide expert guidance on alternative options such as the Canada Super Visa, which still allows extended family visits for eligible sponsors.

Canada will not accept any new applications for sponsoring parents and grandparents for permanent residence in 2025. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that throughout 2025, the department will only process family sponsorship applications made under the Parents and Grandparents Program that were submitted in 2024.

The department intends to process a maximum of 15,000 sponsorship applications over the course of 2025.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents who wish to have their parents and grandparents join them for an extended period in Canada can still sponsor their relatives for a super visa, which can allow their relatives to visit them in Canada for up to five years at a time.

What is Parents and Grandparents Program?

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents or grandparents for Canadian permanent residency.

Why the pause?

IRCC cut permanent resident targets by 20% for 2025. Part of this cut included a reduction in the allocation for landings under the PGP. The 2025 target is 24,500 landings for foreign nationals sponsored through the PGP.

In the earlier Immigration Levels Plan, published in 2023, IRCC had set targets of 32,000 for 2024, and 34,000 for 2025.

If you’re looking for educational pathways instead, explore our complete guide on how to study in Canada and obtain post-graduate work opportunities.

Confused about recent immigration policy changes in Canada? Contact us for personalized advice.

At Berakah Study Abroad, we provide the latest updates on Canada immigration policies and help you navigate every step—whether you're pursuing higher education in Canada, planning to sponsor family members, or seeking long-term PR pathways in Canada. Reach out to us today to explore your options and stay ahead of immigration policy changes in 2025.