Maple News reports that Canada is pausing the intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for permanent residence, effectively closing new sponsorship opportunities unless the government reverses course. The pause was announced in a government news release dated July 15, 2026.
IRCC says it will not accept new ‘interest to sponsor’ forms or invite potential sponsors to apply until further notice.
The department will continue processing PGP sponsorship applications already received, with the objective of approving 15,000 permanent residents under the program in 2026. The government’s latest immigration levels plan also indicates a longer-term target of admitting 15,000 PGP applicants per year through 2028.
There are about 50,900 PGP applications in the program’s inventory as of the government’s processing times page.
For applications submitted in July 2025, processing times are projected at roughly 18 months for those intending to settle outside Quebec and about 54 months for those intending to settle in Quebec.
The PGP, a family reunification pathway opened in 2020, has operated largely via a lottery system due to demand exceeding supply.
Maple News will continue to monitor policy developments and report on any reversals or new pathways for sponsoring parents and grandparents.