Canada Halts Parent and Grandparent PR Sponsorship in 2026, Shifts Focus to Temporary Visas

The federal government has affirmed that not a single permanent residence application will be received under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) this year under new Ministerial Instructions that will be effective on January 1, 2026.

This ruling is a radical change from the past years and leaves families with no choice but to rethink their plans since the permanent sponsorship of parents and grandparents is stopped in 2026. Rather, the focus has now moved over to temporary residence opportunities, and the Super Visa has come as the most viable option.

Why Canada Paused the PGP in 2026

 The federal government officially instructed immigration officials to stop accepting new sponsorship applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program during the calendar year 2026. Only a limited set of applications will continue to be processed.

These include applications that:

• Were submitted in 2025

• Based on invitations made out of the interest-to-sponsor pool of 2020.

• Slip less than 10,000 applications in a processing cap.
   

Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be forwarded. Also, external humanitarian or compassionate applications will not take place in the case that they are linked to ineligible sponsorship submissions. 

Consequently, the PGP is technically on hold,d leaving families without a permanent residencepathway for parents and grandparents this year.

What This Means for Families

This has brought doubt to many families, especially those who have their elderly parents living in foreign countries. Previously long-term family cohesiveness used to be considered permanent residence as the most stable. With this path unavailable,e families now turn to temporary stay options that allow parents and grandparents to spend a longer period in Canada without permanently residing.

The aspects of long-term settlement eligibility have been replaced by long-term stay, financial capacity, and health coverage as factors in planning the reunification in the year 2026.

Super Visa Becomes the Primary Option

 The Super Visa has been termed as the key to the PG,d where parents and grandparents will spend considerable time in Canada.

The Super Visa is a multiple-entry temporary resident visa designed particularly for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Although it does not result in permanent residence, it offers more flexibility than a regular visitor visa.

Key benefits include:

•  Validity for up to 10 years
   

• Visa to spend up to five years in Canada.

• Capacity to seek extensions internally in Canada.

• None of the annual quotas or lottery
   

Such characteristics enable families to make long-term reservations with more certainty.  

Who Can Apply for a Super Visa

 To be eligible,e applicants must- 

• Be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
   

•  Apply from outside Canada
   

• At least 18 years of age, have a host in Canada.
   

•  Have a host who has the minimum income per family.  
   

The low-income cut-off (LICO) is used to measure the income thresholds in Canada. The income needed also depends on family size,e and this means that the host can afford to visit relatives.  

Key Documentation and Insurance Requirements

 The applications under Super Visa put a significant focus on health safety and financial stability. Applicants must submit:      

• A signed invitation and financial support letter from the host
   

• Proof of family relationship
   

• A valid passport
   

• Evidence of sufficient funds
   

• Background and admissibility documents
   

• Proof of private medical insurance
   

Medical insurance is mandatory and must:

•  Be valid for at least one year 
   

• Provide minimum coverage of $100,000
   

• Cover healthcare, hospital treatment, and repatriation. on  
   

One of the most prevalent reasofor of refusal is failure to satisfy insurance requirements.       

Other Temporary Options Still Available

Visitor Visa

Parents and grandparents can still request a standard visitor visa, which normally permits a stay of up to a maximum duration of half a year at a time. This alternative has fewer financial requirements, yet less confidence since extensions are not obligatory.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Parents of citizens of visa-exempt countries may apply for an eTA as short-term visitors. Although convenient, it is only suitable for short-term stays and cannot be used to reunite families in the long term.

The change that has taken place in Canada, in 2026, with regard to bringing parents and grandparents, has taken a decisive turn,n as opposed to permanent residence, towards the options of temporary stay. The Parents and Grandparents Program is suspended, and families have to use the available options, like the Super Visa, to ensure that family ties are not lost.

In the meantime, the long-term planning is relying on short-term solutions, till the families can see the results of policy options in the future, which can reopen permanent sponsorship programs or offer a new form of permanent sponsorship program.

Contact us to know more and plan your family PR and Visa options with Aptech Visa. 

Call our well-versed team of the best immigration experts at 750 383 2132 / 91310 59075, or you can also write us at info@aptechvisa.com.

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