Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) Not Accepting New Applications This Year: Faster and More Affordable Ways to Bring Parents or Grandparents to Canada 🇨🇦

As of January 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed on its official website that no new applications will be accepted for processing under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) this year ❌.

While this means Canadian citizens and permanent residents currently do not have a pathway to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence (PR) through PGP, there are still practical and accessible options to bring loved ones to Canada, often much faster and at a lower cost.

At present, Canadian families generally rely on two visit-based options 👇

• Parent and Grandparent Super Visa (best for long-term stays)

• Regular Visitor Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (best for short-term visits)

Below is a breakdown of how these options work, how they differ, and which may be right for your family.

🟢 Option 1: Parent and Grandparent Super Visa

The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa that can be valid for up to 10 years. For applications submitted on or after June 22, 2023, it allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years per entry.

IRCC has emphasized that while PGP intakes are limited and highly competitive, the Super Visa remains available year-round, making it the most reliable option for extended family visits.

Immigration outcome: temporary vs. permanent

One of the most important distinctions between the Super Visa and PGP is the immigration outcome:

• PGP leads to permanent residence, allowing parents and grandparents to live, work, and study in Canada indefinitely.

• Super Visa grants temporary resident status only. Holders may stay in Canada for long periods, but they cannot work or study without first obtaining the appropriate permits.

While the Super Visa is not a substitute for permanent residence, it remains an excellent solution for families who want meaningful, long-term time together in Canada—without the long wait times and higher costs associated with PGP.

✅ Key eligibility requirements

To invite a parent or grandparent under the Super Visa program, the Canadian host must:

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian;

• Be at least 18 years old and living in Canada;

• Meet the minimum necessary income (MNI) requirements; and

• Provide a signed invitation letter promising financial support for the duration of the visit (a spouse or partner may co-sign if eligible).

The parent or grandparent must:

• Apply from outside Canada;

• Be admissible to Canada;

• Complete an immigration medical examination; and

• Obtain private medical insurance, which is a core Super Visa requirement.

  
  

🩺 Medical insurance requirements

Applicants must provide proof of paid private medical insurance that:

• Is valid for at least one year from the date of entry;

• Covers health care, hospitalization, and repatriation;

• Provides a minimum of $100,000 in coverage; and

• Is issued by an insurer that meets IRCC requirements.

As of January 28, 2025, IRCC allows Super Visa applicants to purchase insurance from certain companies outside Canada, provided the insurer meets specific OSFI-related conditions. Applicants should be prepared to present proof of paid insurance at the port of entry.

🔵 Option 2: Visitor Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Parents and grandparents may also visit Canada under standard visitor rules. The required entry document depends on the traveller’s nationality:

• Visitor Visa: Required for citizens of countries that are not visa-exempt.

• eTA: Available to citizens of visa-exempt countries travelling to Canada by air.

Most visitors are authorized to stay in Canada for up to six months per entry, although the final length of stay is determined by the border officer. In some cases, a visitor record may be issued with a specific departure date.

eTA vs. Visitor Visa

An eTA is generally easier and faster to obtain, often approved within minutes of submitting an online application. It is typically valid for up to five years or until the passport expires.

A visitor visa must be applied for in advance and may be issued as a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. Validity can be up to 10 years, though this is entirely at the discretion of the immigration officer and tied to passport and biometrics validity.

📄 Basic eligibility requirements

IRCC assesses visitor applications based on factors such as:

• A valid passport or travel document;

• Good health and medical admissibility;

• No criminal or immigration-related inadmissibility;

• Strong ties to the home country;

• Sufficient funds for the visit; and

• A clear intention to leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay.

Some applicants may also be required to complete a medical exam or submit a letter of invitation. Those wishing to extend their stay must apply for a visitor record before their status expires.

🤔 Which option is right for your family?

In general, the Super Visa is the better choice if your parent or grandparent intends to spend a long period of time in Canada and you are able to meet the income and insurance requirements.

It is particularly suitable when:

• Extended stays of up to five years per entry are desired;

• The Canadian host meets the minimum income threshold; and

• The applicant can complete a medical exam and obtain qualifying private health insurance.

  
  

A regular visitor visa or eTA is usually the better option for shorter visits, such as trips lasting a few weeks or months. It is also the more practical choice when Super Visa requirements—especially income or insurance—are difficult to meet.

Visitor applications tend to focus on traditional factors like home-country ties, financial capacity, travel history, and overall admissibility. Processing times are often shorter than those for Super Visas, and eTAs can be approved extremely quickly.

📝 Final thoughts

Although the PGP remains closed to new applications for now, families are not without options. The Super Visa and standard visitor pathways continue to provide flexible, faster, and more affordable ways to reunite with parents and grandparents in Canada—sometimes for years at a time.

Choosing the right option depends on your family’s goals, financial situation, and how long your loved ones plan to stay. With the right strategy, meaningful family reunification is still very much possible—even without PGP.