
Toronto, Canada
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Canada will halt the acceptance of new permanent residency applications under the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP) starting in 2025, as announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
This decision is part of a strategic realignment aimed at meeting new immigration targets, which have been scaled back to reduce the number of permanent residents welcomed into the country. From 2024, the IRCC will process a capped number of 15,000 applications for the PGP, a reduction that reflects the program's longstanding struggle with an overwhelming demand that has consistently exceeded available spots.
The limited application pool will exclusively draw from submissions during the 2024 intake period, a change that could impact many families seeking to reunite with their elderly relatives. The PGP has served as an essential pathway for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents, supporting multi-generational living.
However, applicants must adhere to stringent financial requirements and commit to providing support for their family members for a designated period. Since its shift to a lottery-based selection process in 2020, the competition for spots in the program has intensified.
This suspension is directly linked to Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2025, which anticipates a 20% reduction in the targets for permanent residency, decreasing the PGP’s landing target from an expected 34,000 to just 24,500 foreign nationals. This alteration hints at a broader reorientation of immigration policies, with a growing focus on economic and humanitarian aspects over family reunification.
In light of these changes, the Super Visa program is emerging as an alternative for those looking to bring parents and grandparents to Canada for extended stays. Unlike standard visitor visas, the Super Visa allows for visits of up to five years, offering families more flexibility.
To qualify, applicants must meet specific financial and health insurance criteria, making it a viable option for maintaining familial connections without transitioning to permanent residency.