Status alert (verified October 2026)
- Parents and Grandparents Program: PAUSED. On July 15, 2026, IRCC paused new PGP applications until further notice. No new Interest-to-Sponsor forms; no new invitations. Earlier applications continue to be processed; IRCC plans up to 15,000 PR approvals through the program in 2026. No reopening date announced.
- Super Visa: OPEN and active. The main available pathway for extended stays: up to five years per entry, multiple entries for up to ten years. It does not lead to permanent residence, but it is available now.
What it is
The PGP lets citizens and PRs sponsor parents/grandparents for PR through limited, invitation-only intakes (Interest-to-Sponsor form → random selection → invitation). The Super Visa is a separate, currently open long-term multiple-entry visitor visa for parents/grandparents of citizens and PRs — extended visits without PR.
Who is eligible (when active)
PGP (for reference — paused): sponsor is a citizen/PR, 18+, living in Canada; meets Minimum Necessary Income for the 3 prior tax years (based on family size including sponsored persons); 20-year financial undertaking; sponsored persons admissible.
Super Visa (open now): applicant is a parent/grandparent of a citizen/PR; host meets minimum income (LICO-based, by family size); applicant holds private medical insurance ($100,000+ emergency coverage, 1 year, Canadian insurer); passes the immigration medical exam; admissible.
The process
PGP (when intake reopens):
- Watch for IRCC’s intake announcement.
- Submit Interest-to-Sponsor form.
- If selected, receive Invitation to Apply.
- Submit the complete application by the deadline.
- Medicals, police certificates, biometrics.
- Await decision.
Super Visa (now):
- Confirm host meets income requirement.
- Arrange qualifying insurance.
- Gather identity, relationship, financial, insurance documents.
- Apply online; pay fees.
- Medical exam.
- Decision; travel for up to five years per entry.
Document checklist
Citizenship/PR proof; relationship proof (birth certificates); NOAs for required tax years; insurance proof (Super Visa); medical results; police certificates; passports + IRCC-spec photos; host invitation letter (Super Visa).
Important warnings
- Nobody can get you a PGP invitation right now — no new invitations are being issued.
- The Super Visa doesn’t lead to PR; anyone promising PR through a visitor stream is misleading you.
- Income thresholds update periodically — confirm current figures before applying.
- Beware of scams targeting families awaiting PGP news; rely on official IRCC announcements.
Based on official guidance from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Next step: The PGP is paused but the Super Visa is open now — and preparation matters for whenever intake reopens. Contact Journey to West Immigration to assess which option fits your family.