Canada freezes parents and grandparents sponsorship programme, leaving Indian diaspora families in limbo

The Canadian government has suspended the intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Programme (PGP), halting an important method that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence.

The decision, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on July 15, is aimed at reducing a large application backlog and improving processing times. Until further notice, Canadians will no longer be able to submit new "Interest to Sponsor" forms under the programme.

The move is expected to affect thousands of families, particularly Canada's large Indian diaspora, many of whom rely on the programme to reunite with elderly parents.

Why Canada paused the programme

According to IRCC, the pause will allow immigration officials to focus on applications already in the system.

The Parents and Grandparents Program operates through a lottery system. When the government last accepted new interest forms in 2020, it received more than 203,000 submissions. Since then, invitations to apply have been issued only from that 2020 pool, creating a substantial backlog.

More from World

An IRCC spokesperson said the pause would help the department "responsibly manage" the immigration system while providing greater certainty to families already waiting for decisions.

Applications pile up

Indian families likely to be among the hardest hit

The suspension is expected to have a significant impact on Indo-Canadian families. India remains Canada's largest source of permanent residents, with many newcomers arriving through skilled immigration pathways such as Express Entry.

For many immigrant families, sponsoring parents is considered an important long-term goal after settling in Canada. Apart from family reunification, grandparents often provide childcare, allowing working parents to remain in the labour force.

The pause has therefore raised concerns among families hoping to bring elderly relatives to Canada permanently.

Super Visa remains the only option

With the Parents and Grandparents Program closed to new applicants, the Canadian government has advised families to consider the Super Visa as an alternative for bringing parents and grandparents to the country.

However, unlike the PGP, the Super Visa does not provide permanent resident status. Instead, it allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to five years per entry under a multiple-entry visa that is valid for up to 10 years.

The two programmes also differ in terms of benefits. While successful PGP applicants receive permanent residency, become eligible for provincial public healthcare and can eventually apply for Canadian citizenship, Super Visa holders remain temporary visitors. They are not eligible for a pathway to citizenship and must obtain private medical insurance for the duration of their stay.

Although the Super Visa offers families the opportunity to spend extended periods together, the cost of mandatory private health insurance can run into thousands of dollars each year, making it a significantly more expensive option for many households.

The suspension comes as Canada adopts a more restrictive immigration approach amid concerns over housing shortages, pressure on healthcare services and the rising cost of living.