As of January 1, 2026, the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clearly states that no new permanent resident invitations will be issued this year through the Parents and Grandparents Program, commonly known as PGP. This statement is seen as more than a simple administrative notice; it is effectively a declaration putting the brakes on the expectations for family immigration that Canadian citizens and permanent residents have held for years.
Despite operating through a lottery system targeting an extremely limited number of applicants each year, the PGP has maintained its symbolic status as the ‘only official pathway to bring parents to Canada as permanent residents’. While it had practical limitations, such as low selection rates and long waiting periods, the very existence of the program served as a source of hope for many families. However, with the complete suspension of new applications starting in 2026, the direct pathway to sponsor parents or grandparents for permanent residency has effectively closed.
That said, it doesn't mean there are no ways for families residing in Canada to spend time with their parents or grandparents. While the ultimate path to permanent residency is blocked, alternative systems that enable the stay itself are still in operation. Currently, Canadian citizens or permanent residents have two main practical options for inviting their parents or grandparents: the Super Visa, suitable for long-term stays, and the regular visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for short-term visits.
The Super Visa is a long-term visitor visa specifically for parents and grandparents. It allows multiple entries and can be issued with a validity of up to 10 years. Notably, for applications received after June 22, 2023, the maximum continuous stay per entry has been extended to up to 5 years, significantly enhancing the program's effectiveness. IRCC also emphasizes that unlike the PGP, which has limited annual intake periods, the Super Visa is available for application year-round.
However, the Super Visa fundamentally differs from the PGP in that it is strictly a visitor visa. When obtaining permanent residency through the PGP, parents or grandparents become Canadian permanent residents, enabling them to work, study, and settle long-term. In contrast, entry via the Super Visa grants temporary resident status, and employment or study is not permitted without separate authorization. Therefore, while the Super Visa can be effective as a ‘means to spend time in Canada with family,’ it is difficult to view it as a substitute for permanent residency.
Nevertheless, the reasons the Super Visa is considered a realistic alternative are clear. Compared to the PGP, it involves a relatively lower cost burden, has a significantly shorter processing time, and once approved, allows for long-term stays spanning several years. Particularly during the initial settlement phase of a child, when the need for parental care or family stay is significant, the Super Visa functions as a practical option.
To apply for a Super Visa, the inviting child must meet certain requirements. They must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a registered Indian, be at least 18 years old, and reside in Canada. They must also meet the government's minimum income requirement and submit an invitation letter promising financial support for the parent or grandparent's stay. If the spouse or partner meets the requirements, they may also co-sign.
The parents or grandparents being invited must also meet several essential conditions. They must apply from outside Canada, pass admissibility and criminal/medical eligibility assessments, and complete an immigration medical examination. Crucially, the core requirement for the Super Visa is private medical insurance coverage. The insurance must be valid for at least one year, provide coverage of at least $100,000 for medical, hospitalization, and repatriation costs, and only insurance that has been fully paid is accepted.
While regulations were relaxed starting January 28, 2025, allowing insurance from non-Canadian providers to be accepted if it meets financial oversight standards, it is still important to note that proof of insurance may be requested upon entry.
On the other hand, for shorter stays, a regular visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) may be a more practical option. A visitor visa is required for citizens of countries not on the visa waiver program, while an eTA is a simplified travel authorization needed for citizens of visa waiver countries entering Canada by air. Most visitors are permitted to stay for up to 6 months upon entry, though the length of stay may be adjusted at the border officer's discretion, or a visitor record may be issued.
The eTA has relatively simple requirements and is highly accessible, often approved within minutes after online application. Visitor visas can be issued as single or multiple entry and may be valid for up to 10 years, though this is entirely at the officer's discretion. Key assessment factors typically include passport validity, financial means, ties to the home country, clarity of purpose for the visit, and intent to depart after the stay.
If you need to extend your stay, you must apply for an extension of your visit record within Canada, which incurs additional fees and processing time. Ultimately, the appropriate choice depends on the purpose and duration of your stay, as well as your family's financial and practical circumstances. If your goal is to live with family in Canada for an extended period, the Super Visa may be suitable. For relatively short visits, a regular visitor visa or eTA could be a more efficient option.
Now that the PGP has been discontinued, what matters most is not the fact that the path to permanent residency is blocked, but rather making a realistic judgment about how to plan family time within the changed environment. Rather than filling the void left by the closed program with emotion, it is now more important than ever to accurately understand the currently available programs and make choices tailored to each family's specific situation.
As of January 1, 2026, the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clearly states that no new permanent resident invitations will be issued this year through the Parents and Grandparents Program, commonly known as PGP. This statement is seen as more than a simple administrative notice; it is effectively a declaration putting the brakes on the expectations for family immigration that Canadian citizens and permanent residents have held for years.
Despite operating through a lottery system targeting an extremely limited number of applicants each year, the PGP has maintained its symbolic status as the ‘only official pathway to bring parents to Canada as permanent residents’. While it had practical limitations, such as low selection rates and long waiting periods, the very existence of the program served as a source of hope for many families. However, with the complete suspension of new applications starting in 2026, the direct pathway to sponsor parents or grandparents for permanent residency has effectively closed.
That said, it doesn't mean there are no ways for families residing in Canada to spend time with their parents or grandparents. While the ultimate path to permanent residency is blocked, alternative systems that enable the stay itself are still in operation. Currently, Canadian citizens or permanent residents have two main practical options for inviting their parents or grandparents: the Super Visa, suitable for long-term stays, and the regular visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for short-term visits.
The Super Visa is a long-term visitor visa specifically for parents and grandparents. It allows multiple entries and can be issued with a validity of up to 10 years. Notably, for applications received after June 22, 2023, the maximum continuous stay per entry has been extended to up to 5 years, significantly enhancing the program's effectiveness. IRCC also emphasizes that unlike the PGP, which has limited annual intake periods, the Super Visa is available for application year-round.
However, the Super Visa fundamentally differs from the PGP in that it is strictly a visitor visa. When obtaining permanent residency through the PGP, parents or grandparents become Canadian permanent residents, enabling them to work, study, and settle long-term. In contrast, entry via the Super Visa grants temporary resident status, and employment or study is not permitted without separate authorization. Therefore, while the Super Visa can be effective as a ‘means to spend time in Canada with family,’ it is difficult to view it as a substitute for permanent residency.
Nevertheless, the reasons the Super Visa is considered a realistic alternative are clear. Compared to the PGP, it involves a relatively lower cost burden, has a significantly shorter processing time, and once approved, allows for long-term stays spanning several years. Particularly during the initial settlement phase of a child, when the need for parental care or family stay is significant, the Super Visa functions as a practical option.
To apply for a Super Visa, the inviting child must meet certain requirements. They must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a registered Indian, be at least 18 years old, and reside in Canada. They must also meet the government's minimum income requirement and submit an invitation letter promising financial support for the parent or grandparent's stay. If the spouse or partner meets the requirements, they may also co-sign.
The parents or grandparents being invited must also meet several essential conditions. They must apply from outside Canada, pass admissibility and criminal/medical eligibility assessments, and complete an immigration medical examination. Crucially, the core requirement for the Super Visa is private medical insurance coverage. The insurance must be valid for at least one year, provide coverage of at least $100,000 for medical, hospitalization, and repatriation costs, and only insurance that has been fully paid is accepted.
While regulations were relaxed starting January 28, 2025, allowing insurance from non-Canadian providers to be accepted if it meets financial oversight standards, it is still important to note that proof of insurance may be requested upon entry.
On the other hand, for shorter stays, a regular visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) may be a more practical option. A visitor visa is required for citizens of countries not on the visa waiver program, while an eTA is a simplified travel authorization needed for citizens of visa waiver countries entering Canada by air. Most visitors are permitted to stay for up to 6 months upon entry, though the length of stay may be adjusted at the border officer's discretion, or a visitor record may be issued.
The eTA has relatively simple requirements and is highly accessible, often approved within minutes after online application. Visitor visas can be issued as single or multiple entry and may be valid for up to 10 years, though this is entirely at the officer's discretion. Key assessment factors typically include passport validity, financial means, ties to the home country, clarity of purpose for the visit, and intent to depart after the stay.
If you need to extend your stay, you must apply for an extension of your visit record within Canada, which incurs additional fees and processing time. Ultimately, the appropriate choice depends on the purpose and duration of your stay, as well as your family's financial and practical circumstances. If your goal is to live with family in Canada for an extended period, the Super Visa may be suitable. For relatively short visits, a regular visitor visa or eTA could be a more efficient option.
Now that the PGP has been discontinued, what matters most is not the fact that the path to permanent residency is blocked, but rather making a realistic judgment about how to plan family time within the changed environment. Rather than filling the void left by the closed program with emotion, it is now more important than ever to accurately understand the currently available programs and make choices tailored to each family's specific situation.