Maple News reports that the Canadian federal government has officially raised the number of applications it will accept under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for 2025. According to a Ministerial Instruction published in the Canada Gazette on March 22, the government will process up to 25,000 sponsorship applications, significantly increasing from the previously stated cap of 15,000.
This marks a notable policy reversal. Earlier in January 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had announced that no new PGP applications would be accepted during the year and processing would be limited solely to those submitted in 2024. However, on March 7, IRCC confirmed it would issue invitations to apply in 2025, though no revised cap was given at the time.
The updated plan now accommodates both carryover applications from the 2024 intake and new submissions for 2025. This decision reflects growing demand for family reunification and a need to address backlogs in the system.
Eligible candidates for the 2025 intake include Canadian citizens and permanent residents who had submitted an ‘Interest to Sponsor’ form during the 2020 intake but had not yet received an invitation to apply. Those selected through the randomized lottery process will have the opportunity to sponsor their parents or grandparents for Canadian permanent residence.
The PGP remains a cornerstone of Canada’s family reunification policy. Due to the overwhelming interest in the program, the government operates a lottery-style selection system to ensure fairness and manage intake volume. Successful applicants are granted permanent resident status, allowing sponsored parents and grandparents to live, work, and access healthcare in Canada.
By increasing the intake cap, Canada signals its continued commitment to family unification and creating support structures for newcomers, especially as it seeks to uphold its humanitarian and demographic goals amid growing global migration.
Maple News will continue to monitor developments in Canada’s family reunification policies and provide timely updates for sponsors and applicants alike.