Bringing your parents or grandparents to Canada is a common goal for many Canadian citizens and permanent residents. But in 2026, the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) — Canada’s main family sponsorship pathway to permanent residence — is not accepting new applications.
This post explains the current situation, what you can do now, and the best alternatives to reunite your family in Canada.
🧑🤝🧑 Current Status of the Parents and Grandparents Program
As of January 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) states that no new PGP applications are being accepted for processing this year. This means that Canadian citizens and permanent residents cannot currently sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence through the PGP.
The decision comes after the 2025 intake drew from the existing pool of interest-to-sponsor applicants from 2020 — which means only those already in that pool were invited to apply in 2025.
📌 Important: There has been no official announcement yet from IRCC about reopening the PGP for new interest forms in 2026. You should regularly check the official family sponsorship page for updates.
🛰️ What the Parents and Grandparents Program Was
Historically, the PGP allowed eligible sponsors to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada as permanent residents. Sponsors needed to:
✔️ Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
✔️ Live in Canada when applying
✔️ Have sufficient income to support the relatives
✔️ Receive an Invitation to Apply from IRCC before submitting
✔️ Complete and submit the sponsorship and permanent residence application within deadlines
However, since no new intake window is open, this route is not currently available for most applicants in 2026.
📍 Practical Alternatives to Bring Your Parents or Grandparents
Even though the PGP is not open for new applications, there are other ways to bring loved ones to Canada — even if those do not result in permanent residence:
1. 🏠 Parent and Grandparent Super Visa
This is one of the most popular alternatives.
- A Multi-Entry Visa that allows parents/grandparents to stay in Canada up to 5 years per visit.
- The visa can be valid for up to 10 years in total.
- Applicants need private medical insurance and to meet financial eligibility.
- Super visas are generally easier and faster than permanent residence applications.
📌 Pros: Longer stays (up to 5 years), multiple entries;
📌 Cons: Does not lead to permanent residence.
2. ✈️ Regular Visitor Visa or eTA
If parents or grandparents only want to visit Canada for shorter periods (usually up to ~6 months):
- A visitor visa is needed for citizens of many countries.
- A Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) may be enough for visa-exempt nationalities.
These options are simpler but shorter term compared to the super visa.
3. 🔄 Wait for Future PGP Intake (If Reopened)
Although IRCC has not yet announced a 2026 intake for the PGP, recent history shows the program may reopen in future years depending on policy decisions and immigration levels planning. If your circumstances change, stay updated on open interest-to-sponsor windows.
📌 Summary: What You Can Do Now
| Goal | Best Pathway (2026) |
|---|---|
| Longer family visit (months to years) | Super Visa |
| Short visit (weeks/months) | Visitor Visa / eTA |
| Permanent residence sponsorship | Currently not open — watch for future PGP windows |
📍 Final Thoughts
While the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program isn’t accepting new applications in 2026, Canada still offers practical alternatives to help families reunite temporarily. The Super Visa remains the most common and flexible option for extended visits. Keep an eye on official announcements — if IRCC reopens the PGP or introduces new family sponsorship methods, you’ll want to act quickly.
