Canada’s Parents & Grandparents Program Reopens July 28, 2025 — What You Need to Know
After a five‑year pause, Canada is welcoming new sponsorships
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem acc
The federal government, through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), will begin issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) on July 28, 2025, and will continue rolling them out over approximately two weeks. An estimated 10,000 complete sponsorship applications are expected to be accepted this year .
🎯 Who’s eligible—and who should apply?
Only individuals who submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020 and still haven’t received an invitation will be considered.
IRCC will not open the form to new applicants until the backlog is cleared .
Steps to take if you’re a potential sponsor
Check your inbox (including spam/junk) from early 2020—this is where IRCC will send ITAs starting July 28.
Once invited, you have 60 days to submit a complete online sponsorship application via the Permanent Residence or Representative Portal.
Make sure you meet sponsor obligations—income thresholds, proof of relationship, etc.
Haven’t received an ITA? Consider the Super Visa
The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit, and is valid for up to 10 years, with multiple entries permitted.
Recent improvements (since Jan 28, 2025) allow health insurance to be sourced from non‑Canadian providers, as long as they meet OSFI regulations.
To qualify, applicants must show private health insurance with minimum CAD 100,000 coverage for at least one year, and meet other standard criteria (medical exam, host support, etc).
Why this matters — and what you can do
| Client Situation | What It Means | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| You submitted in 2020 | You’re in the current pool | ✅ Check your email after July 28 |
| You didn’t submit before 2020 | You’re not eligible | Consider Super Visa, monitor IRCC for future intake |
| You want a faster visit | Super Visa is faster than PR | 🕒 Apply for Super Visa now |
| You seek permanent reunion | PGP leads to PR, can take 24–48 months | 📑 Prepare documentation early |
Super Visa vs. PGP: A Quick Comparison
PGP
✔️ Leads to permanent residency
❌ Might take 24+ months (Quebec backlog ~48 months)
Only 10,000 applications supported this intake
Super Visa
✔️ Visits up to 5 years, valid for 10 years
✔️ Fast processing and flexible health insurance options ✖️ Doesn’t provide PR
Final Takeaways
July 28–mid‑August 2025 is the critical window for ITAs; listen to IRCC’s email.
If you miss the ITA, the Super Visa is a reliable alternative—especially now with easier insurance access.
Plan ahead: gather documents, review sponsor obligations, and prepare insurance coverage.
Recommended Actions for Clients
Monitor your inbox and spam folder during the intake window.
Start collecting essential documents: proof of income, identity, relationship, medical exams.
Explore Super Visa insurance options (Canadian or OSFI-approved foreign) with CAD 100,000 coverage.
Reach out to your consultant early—being prepared can make the process smoother.