Parents Sponsorship Canada & Family Reunification – Your 2026 Guide

 

Bringing your loved ones to Canada is one of the most meaningful immigration goals for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Whether you’re seeking Parents Sponsorship Canada, Grandparents Sponsorship Canada, or alternative options like the Super Visa Canada, understanding the current rules and how they are changing in 2026 is crucial.

What is the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Canada Program?

The Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence (PR) in Canada under the Family Class Immigration Canada stream.

Under this program, sponsors must meet eligibility criteria, including age, residency status, and financial capability, and agree to support their family members financially once they arrive.

2026 New Rules & What’s Changed

Program on Pause for New Applications

A key change for 2026 is that no new PGP applications are being accepted for processing. The Canadian government has issued Ministerial Instructions that apply from January 1, 2026, which means:

New sponsorship and permanent residence applications for parents and grandparents will NOT be received until further notice.

Only up to 10,000 applications from the 2025 intake (those invited from the 2020 Interest to Sponsor pool) will be accepted for processing in 2026.

This pause allows Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to reduce its existing backlog before reopening the program.

How to Sponsor Parents to Canada – Eligibility

Even though new intake is paused, eligibility still matters if and when the program reopens. Typically, to sponsor parents or grandparents, you must:

Be 18 years or older.

Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada.

Meet income requirements for at least three consecutive tax years.

Sign a financial undertaking — promising to support your parents financially for up to 20 years.

If you don’t meet these conditions, your application won’t be accepted once the program reopens.

Minimum Income Requirement for Parent Sponsorship Canada

To sponsor, you must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) based on your family size (including those you’re sponsoring). Income is measured across three years prior to your application.

The larger your family unit, the higher the income threshold you must demonstrate.

Parent Sponsorship Application Process Canada

When the PGP reopens, the two main steps are:

Submit an Interest to Sponsor Form (during intake period).

If invited, complete and submit:

Sponsorship application (to become a sponsor).

Permanent residence application for your parents/grandparents.

These are submitted through the online Permanent Residence (PR) Portal.

Chances of Selection in Parent Sponsorship Draw

Due to the high volume of interest, the PGP uses a lottery or random selection system when demand exceeds available spots. If selected, you’ll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) — otherwise, you must wait for the next intake.

However, as of 2026, there is no new intake open for new sponsors.

Permanent Residence for Parents and Grandparents Canada

Once a complete application is submitted and approved, parents and grandparents gain permanent resident status — an official first step toward living permanently in Canada.

Permanent residents enjoy many benefits including:

Job opportunities

Access to healthcare benefits (depending on the province)

Pathway to Canadian citizenship (after meeting residency requirements)

(Note: Sponsored individuals must still undergo medical and security checks.)

Healthcare Benefits for Sponsored Parents in Canada

When parents or grandparents become permanent residents, they become eligible for provincial healthcare coverage, subject to provincial waiting periods or insurance requirements.

Healthcare varies by province — some provide immediate coverage upon arrival, others impose a waiting period.

Work Rights for Parents on PR in Canada

Permanent residents can work in Canada without needing a separate work permit. They’re able to seek employment, contribute to the economy, and build a new life in Canada.

Pathway to Canadian Citizenship for Parents

After maintaining permanent resident status and meeting residency requirements (typically a few years), sponsored parents and grandparents can apply for Canadian citizenship if they choose.

Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents Canada

Since the PGP is paused in 2026, the Super Visa remains one of the best alternatives:

A long-term visitor visa valid for up to 5 years per entry.

Multiple entries over 10 years (subject to visa validity).

Allows extended stays while waiting for PR intake to reopen.

Unlike PR, Super Visa holders do not automatically get healthcare or work rights, so mandatory medical insurance is required.

Difference Between Super Visa and Parent Sponsorship

FeatureParent Sponsorship (PGP)Super VisaStatusPermanent ResidenceTemporary VisitorLength of StayIndefiniteUp to 5 years per visitHealthcareEligible (Provincial)No automatic coverageWork RightsYesNoPath to CitizenshipYesNoIntake Open in 2026NoYes

Visitor Visa Canada vs Super Visa

A standard Visitor Visa allows short stays (usually up to 6 months), whereas a Super Visa is specifically designed for parents and grandparents to stay longer without PR status.

Family Class Sponsorship Alternatives Canada

While waiting for PGP to reopen:

Super Visa Canada – Best for lengthy family visits.

Visitor Visa Canada – Shorter stays or multiple entry visits.

Other immigration streams – (e.g., economic, provincial) depending on your parents’ qualifications.

Summary – What You Need to Know in 2026

Parents & Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP) is not open for new applications in 2026. Only select 2025-intake applications will be processed.

Super Visa is the practical alternative available now for extended stays.

Eligibility still matters for when the PGP reopens — meet income, residency, and sponsorship requirements.

Conclusion

Reuniting with your parents and grandparents in Canada is an important emotional and life-changing goal, but with evolving IRCC Sponsorship Program rules and the 2026 pause on new Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program applications, expert guidance is more important than ever. Understanding eligibility, income requirements, financial undertakings, and available alternatives like the Super Visa Canada can make a significant difference in your immigration journey.

At New Jain Immigration, we stay updated with the latest IRCC rules, policy changes, and future intake announcements to help families choose the most practical and timely pathway—whether it’s preparing for future Parent PR Canada opportunities or securing a long-term visitor visa for parents and grandparents today.

Our goal is to simplify Family Class Immigration Canada, minimize delays, and maximize your chances of success through transparent advice and personalized strategies. If you’re planning family reunification in Canada or want to stay prepared for the next sponsorship intake, New Jain Immigration is here to guide you every step of the way with clarity, care, and confidence.