If you have a PGP application already submitted, you're probably wondering whether months—or even years—of waiting have suddenly become pointless. The announcement that IRCC has paused new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program has created confusion for thousands of Canadian families. Many people are asking the same questions: Will my application still be processed? Do I need to apply again? Should I switch to a Super Visa? The good news is that if your application is already in the system, the pause does not automatically affect your file.
On July 15, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it is pausing the intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). The department also confirmed that it will:
This is an important distinction because many people assumed the program had been cancelled. It has not.
No.
If you already submitted your complete PGP application after receiving an invitation from IRCC, your application remains active.
IRCC has clearly stated that existing applications will continue moving through normal processing. The pause only affects new intake, not applications already in the queue.
That means:
The pause affects people who have not yet entered the PGP process.
Until IRCC announces otherwise, there is currently no way to submit a new PGP sponsorship application.
You are generally not affected if:
Your file will continue through processing.
This confirms IRCC has accepted your application for processing.
Receiving requests for medical exams, biometrics or updated documents is a normal part of processing.
IRCC says the demand for the Parents and Grandparents Program continues to be much higher than the number of available spaces.
By pausing new applications, the department aims to:
Processing existing files first may help shorten wait times.
Families already waiting can receive decisions without new applications constantly entering the system.
Canada's Immigration Levels Plan sets annual limits on the number of permanent residents admitted through each immigration category.
Possibly—but not because of the pause itself.
Processing times can vary depending on:
The July announcement did not say that existing applications would stop moving.
Instead, IRCC specifically confirmed that processing of current files will continue.
Instead of worrying, focus on keeping your application up to date.
Update IRCC immediately if you change:
Watch for requests involving:
Missing deadlines can delay your application.
Save all IRCC correspondence and uploaded files for future reference.
Yes.
The IRCC announcement also reminded families that the Super Visa remains available.
A Super Visa allows eligible parents and grandparents to:
IRCC recently introduced changes that made the Super Visa more accessible by updating income and health insurance requirements.
At this time, no reopening date has been announced.
IRCC has simply stated that it will not accept new Interest to Sponsor forms or issue new invitations until further notice.
Future announcements will depend on:
Until IRCC publishes another update, any reopening date would be speculation.
If you've spent months preparing your sponsorship application, the recent announcement may have been alarming.
Fortunately, the pause does not erase the progress you've already made.
If your application has already been submitted, it remains in IRCC's processing system. Your best approach now is to monitor your application, respond quickly to any requests from IRCC and avoid relying on rumours circulating online.
For families who have not yet entered the PGP process, the Super Visa remains the primary option for bringing parents and grandparents to Canada while waiting for future program updates.
No. IRCC has confirmed that applications already received will continue to be processed. The pause only applies to new applications and future invitations.
No. If you already submitted a complete application after receiving an invitation, you should not submit another one unless IRCC specifically asks you to.
Yes. If they qualify, they may apply for a Super Visa, which allows extended visits to Canada while your permanent residence application is being processed.
IRCC has not announced a reopening date. The department has only stated that new Interest to Sponsor forms and invitations are paused until further notice.
Keep your contact details updated, check your IRCC account regularly, submit requested documents on time and respond promptly to any communication from IRCC. These simple steps can help prevent unnecessary processing delays.
Having an ‘Identity Verified’ badge or being ‘Identity Verified’ simply indicates that an individual has submitted information to complete our identity verification process or we have conducted internal verification using various authorized websites. While this process includes safeguards, it does not guarantee that the person is who they claim to be.
If you encounter any issues with this profile, please report them here. While all consultants who are verified have RCIC ID, we may not have the latest data in terms of their renewal/cancellation/discontinuation of their RCIC ID.
╳The “Verified Consultants” profiles on Immiperts.com are independently compiled using publicly available information from multiple sources, including the official CICC Public Register, consultants’ own websites, other public directories, and social media.
Immiperts.com is a completely independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), IRCC, or any immigration consultant.
All information is collected manually and is for educational and informational purposes only. Consultants may claim, update, or request removal of their profile by contacting us at hello@immiperts.com.
Users are strongly advised to always verify the latest authorization status directly on the official CICC Public Register at college-ic.ca.
