IRCC will not be accepting new interest to sponsor form.
This year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, commonly known as IRCC, has set a goal to accept up to 10,000 complete applications for sponsorship under the Parents and Grandparents Program, or PGP Program. However, it's important to note that IRCC will not be accepting new interest to sponsor forms. Instead, the agency plans to invite randomly selected potential sponsors from a pool of interest forms that have been collected since 2020. This method mirrors the approach taken for intakes conducted from 2020 through 2024.
As of February 5, 2025, the processing times for applications under the PGP Program vary significantly depending on the destination of the applicants. For those applying from outside Quebec, the processing time is approximately 24 months. In contrast, applicants destined for Quebec face a longer wait, with processing times extending to about 48 months. This discrepancy is attributed to Quebec's more limited family class admission targets, which affect the speed at which applications can be processed.
To alleviate the prolonged wait times experienced by clients, IRCC is striving to maintain a balance between the number of applications received and the number of spaces available for the PGP Program as outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan for future years. Notably, changes to this levels plan, including reductions in immigration targets set for 2025 through 2027, necessitate a recalibration of the number of new applications that can be accepted for processing.
IRCC recognizes that this approach may impact families who have not yet had the chance to submit an interest to sponsor form. For those who are eager to reunite with their parents and grandparents for extended periods, the super visa option remains available. This super visa allows parents and grandparents to visit their children or grandchildren in Canada for up to five years at a time and enables multiple entries over a span of up to ten years. Recently, IRCC has made strides to enhance the accessibility of the super visa by modifying the health insurance requirement, making it easier for applicants to meet the necessary criteria.
In conclusion, further details regarding the 2025 PGP Program intake will be disseminated in the upcoming months. This will include specific information on when invitations to apply will be sent out, providing clarity and guidance for potential sponsors looking to navigate the application process.
Source: Canada.ca