Family reunification is at the heart of Canada’s immigration system, and the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) remains a vital pathway for bringing loved ones to Canada. For 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced important updates—including limited spots, extended processing times, and alternative options. Here’s what you need to know.
In 2025, IRCC will accept 10,000 complete sponsorship applications under the PGP Program. However, there’s a catch: only those who submitted an “Interest to Sponsor” form in 2020 will be eligible for this year’s intake. With 72,300 profiles still in the 2020 pool, competition will be fierce.
This marks the fifth consecutive year IRCC has relied on the 2020 pool to manage application volumes. While this approach helps reduce backlogs, it leaves many families who missed the 2020 window in limbo.
As of February 5, 2025, PGP processing times vary significantly by province:
Outside Quebec: ~24 months
Quebec Applicants: ~48 months
Quebec’s extended timeline stems from its separate family class admissions targets. The province requires additional steps, such as undertaking a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ), which adds layers of review. If you’re sponsoring in Quebec, plan ahead for delays and ensure all documents meet provincial requirements.
The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan introduced lower overall immigration targets, prompting IRCC to scale back PGP admissions. By capping applications at 10,000, the government aims to:
Prevent future backlogs
Align intake with processing capacity
Prioritize existing applications
While this may disappoint families, it reflects IRCC’s commitment to efficiency over quantity.
If you weren’t part of the 2020 pool, don’t lose hope. The Super Visa offers a flexible alternative for parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit, with multiple entries over 10 years. Recent updates make it even more accessible:
Easier Health Insurance Requirements: IRCC now accepts insurance from non-Canadian providers, lowering costs.
Streamlined Applications: Reduced paperwork for eligible families.
While the Super Visa isn’t a path to permanent residency, it’s ideal for families seeking extended reunification while waiting for PGP opportunities.
2020 Pool Applicants: Check your email (and spam folder!) daily for invitations. IRCC will send invites in the coming months.
Super Visa Candidates: Start gathering documents, including proof of income and medical insurance.
Quebec Sponsors: Begin the CSQ process early to avoid delays.
Navigating the PGP or Super Visa can be overwhelming. Our licensed experts are here to:
IRCC has already confirmed the 2025 PGP Program will accept 10,000 applications exclusively from those who submitted "Interest to Sponsor" forms in 2020. New submissions are not being accepted this year.
What are the income requirements for sponsoring parents in 2024/2025 Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) LICO (Low Income Cut-Off) requirements,?
| Family Size | Required Income (2024)* | Projected Income (2025)** |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | $45,039 | 46,000−46,000−46,500 |
| 3 people | $55,378 | 56,700−56,700−57,200 |
| 4 people | $67,192 | 68,800−68,800−69,500 |
| 5 people | $76,179 | 78,000−78,000−78,800 |
| 6 people | $85,901 | 88,000−88,000−88,900 |
| 7 people | $95,622 | 97,900−97,900−98,900 |
*2024 LICO: Based on current IRCC requirements (LICO + 30%).
**2025 Projections: Estimated 3-5% increase based on inflation trends. Official 2025 figures will be confirmed by IRCC in Q4 2024.
Note: Income is assessed using your NOA (Notice of Assessment) for the past 3 tax years. Quebec uses different calculations (MNI).
Processing times vary: 24 months outside Quebec, 48 months in Quebec (due to additional provincial steps). Start preparing documents early to avoid delays.
Yes! The Super Visa Canada allows 5-year visits with 10-year validity. Unlike PGP, it doesn’t require meeting annual quotas or income thresholds from past years.
Only 2020 Interest to Sponsor applicants are eligible. If selected, you’ll receive an email invitation. Check spam folders regularly starting mid-2025.
Quebec requires a separate Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) and has different family reunification targets, adding 24+ months to processing.
While the 2025 PGP Program has limited spots, strategic planning can still reunite your family in Canada. Stay proactive, explore alternatives like the Super Visa, and partner with experts to avoid costly mistakes.
With years of experience helping families reunite in Canada, Sanjay Prasher is a trusted immigration consultant in Toronto specializing in Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) applications and Super Visa solutions. As Canada pauses 2024 Parents and Grandparents Program applications, many families are looking for alternatives. Sanjay provides expert guidance on navigating the Super Visa, ensuring parents and grandparents can visit their loved ones without delay.
For those awaiting updates on the 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program, Sanjay keeps clients informed about changes, including whether Canada will re-open the Parents and Grandparents Program this fall. With a deep understanding of past trends like the 2020 Parents and Grandparents Program, 2021 Parents and Grandparents Program Canada, and the 2024 Parents and Grandparents Program, he helps applicants prepare in advance for when invitations reopen.
As IRCC pauses new Parents and Grandparents Program applications in 2024 and reopened In 2-25 with 10,000 apllications only , Sanjay continues to assist families in securing sponsorship under previous invitations and exploring viable options like the Super Visa. Whether you need expert support for the Parents and Grandparents Program Canada 2025 or are waiting for Canada to announce details of the Parents and Grandparents Program 2025, Sanjay’s strategic approach ensures your application is ready when opportunities arise.
Contact Sanjay Prasher today for expert guidance on the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), Super Visa, and all family sponsorship pathways in Canada.
Keep checking this page for updates—we’ll share the latest PGP 2025 news as IRCC releases details!
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Your relatives can live, study and work in Canada if they become permanent residents of Canada. You can sponsor certain relatives to come to Canada if you’re at least 18 years old and a:
