Quick Answer: What Can Families Do After the 2026 PGP Pause?
As of August 18, 2026, IRCC has paused new intake under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Existing applications continue to be processed. The Super Visa remains available to eligible parents and grandparents as a temporary-resident option. The programs serve different goals: extended visits versus permanent residence through family sponsorship.
Canadian families currently have different options depending on whether their goal is an extended visit or permanent residence.
Super Visa: Eligible parents and grandparents can still apply for a Super Visa. It is a temporary resident option that can allow stays of up to five years at a time. Applicants and their Canadian hosts must meet current eligibility, income, private health insurance, medical examination and visitor requirements. A Super Visa does not provide permanent residence.
Parents and Grandparents Program: The PGP is designed for permanent residence through Canada Family Sponsorship. IRCC paused new intake on July 15, 2026. It is not currently accepting new interest-to-sponsor forms or issuing new invitations, but existing applications continue to be processed. IRCC has not announced a guaranteed reopening date.
What Does the 2026 PGP Pause Mean for Canadian Families?
The Parents and Grandparents Program allows eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor qualifying parents or grandparents for permanent residence. However, the program does not operate like an immigration stream where anyone can submit a new application whenever they choose.
On July 15, 2026, IRCC announced a pause in new PGP intake. Under current guidance, IRCC will not accept new interest-to-sponsor forms or invite potential sponsors to submit new applications until further notice. Applications already accepted remain in processing.
Families considering other Family Class immigration pathways can also review information about family reunification in Canada to better understand how different programs serve different immigration goals.
Is Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Open in Canada in 2026?
Not for new intake at this time. A Canadian citizen or permanent resident cannot simply prepare and submit a new PGP sponsorship application during the pause.
The PGP uses an invitation process. IRCC states that a potential sponsor can apply only after receiving an invitation to apply. An application submitted without the required invitation is returned.
The most recent intake was the 2025 PGP intake, which is now closed. For that intake, IRCC invited selected potential sponsors who had submitted an interest-to-sponsor form in 2020. The deadline for invited applicants to submit their applications was October 9, 2025.
What Happens to PGP Applications Already Being Processed?
The 2026 pause does not mean IRCC stopped processing every parent and grandparent sponsorship case.
IRCC specifically states that it will continue processing existing PGP applications. Therefore, a family with an application already accepted into processing is in a different position from someone hoping to enter a new intake.
Continued processing does not guarantee approval. Sponsors and applicants must still satisfy the applicable requirements and respond to IRCC requests during processing.
Does the Pause Mean the PGP Has Been Cancelled?
No. The current official wording is that new intake has been paused.
IRCC says it will not accept new interest-to-sponsor forms or invite potential sponsors to apply until further notice. This wording should not be interpreted as permanent cancellation, and families should avoid relying on predictions about when another intake might occur.
Any future reopening, invitation process or eligibility rules should be confirmed through current IRCC announcements when they are published. Families may also want to understand how Canadian immigration laws for family sponsorship affect eligibility and application requirements.
What If You Previously Submitted an Interest to Sponsor Form?
Submitting an interest-to-sponsor form in the past does not automatically give someone permission to file a PGP application now.
For the 2025 intake, IRCC selected potential sponsors from people who had submitted the 2020 interest-to-sponsor form. Only those who received an invitation could apply. That intake is closed, and IRCC is not currently issuing new invitations.
Families who were not invited should therefore distinguish between having expressed interest in sponsorship and having an active right to submit a PGP application. While new intake remains paused, eligible families may separately consider whether the Super Visa meets their immediate goal of bringing a parent or grandparent to Canada for an extended temporary visit.
Can Parents and Grandparents Still Get a Super Visa in 2026?
Yes. The Super Visa remains available in 2026 even though new PGP intake is paused. It is a separate temporary resident option for eligible parents and grandparents who want extended visits with family in Canada.
Who Qualifies for a Super Visa?
The applicant must have an eligible host who is their biological or adopted child or grandchild. The host must be at least 18, live in Canada, be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian, meet the applicable minimum necessary income, and provide a signed invitation letter.
The parent or grandparent must apply while outside Canada, be admissible to Canada, carry qualifying private health insurance, complete an immigration medical examination, and satisfy the general requirements for temporary visitors. IRCC may consider factors such as the purpose of the visit, finances and ties to the applicant’s home country.
What Changed With Super Visa Income Requirements in 2026?
A major change took effect on March 31, 2026. Families now have two ways to demonstrate that the income requirement is met.
Option 1: The host, together with an eligible co-signer where applicable, can meet the required income in either of the two tax years before the application is submitted. Previously, IRCC assessed only the previous year.
Option 2: If the host and eligible co-signer earned at least 75% of the required amount in the previous tax year, income from the visiting parent or grandparent may be added to cover the remaining amount. The combined qualifying income must meet or exceed the applicable minimum.
Family size matters. It can include the host, invited parents or grandparents, a spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, certain previous Super Visa applicants, and people covered by active sponsorship undertakings. IRCC publishes the applicable income table, so families should check the current amount when preparing an application rather than relying on an older threshold.
What Medical Insurance and Medical Examination Are Required?
Every Super Visa applicant needs qualifying private health insurance. The policy must generally:
- Be valid for at least one year from the date of entry.
- Provide at least $100,000 in emergency coverage.
- Cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation.
- Be paid in full or through an accepted instalment arrangement with a deposit.
- Remain valid for each entry to Canada.
A quote by itself is not accepted as proof of coverage.
Insurance can come from a Canadian insurer or an eligible company outside Canada. A foreign insurer must satisfy current federal requirements, including applicable authorization through the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) and issuing the policy while doing insurance business in Canada.
Applicants must also complete an immigration medical examination with an approved panel physician. Families should not assume that provincial health coverage will replace the Super Visa insurance requirement.
How Long Can Parents Stay in Canada With a Super Visa?
Under current rules, an eligible Super Visa holder entering Canada can generally stay for up to five years at a time. The Super Visa can provide multiple entries for a period of up to 10 years, subject to the validity of the visa and travel documents.
IRCC also states that Super Visa holders may apply from within Canada for an extension of their visitor status where eligible. An extension application is separate from the original visa and is not automatically approved.
How Do You Apply for a Super Visa?
The basic process is:
- Confirm the applicant and host meet eligibility requirements.
- Calculate family size and the applicable income requirement.
- Collect financial evidence, including CRA documents where applicable.
- Prepare the invitation letter and relationship evidence.
- Arrange qualifying private medical insurance.
- Complete the immigration medical examination.
- Gather identity, status and supporting documents.
- Submit the Super Visa application online through the appropriate IRCC Portal.
IRCC currently requires the applicant to be outside Canada when submitting a new Super Visa application.
Families with complicated financial, insurance or supporting-document issues may also find it useful to understand the role of a Super Visa consultant in an application.
Super Visa vs Parent Sponsorship: What Is the Difference?
A Super Visa and PGP sponsorship are not two versions of the same immigration program. A Super Visa provides temporary resident status for extended visits. PGP sponsorship is intended to help qualifying parents and grandparents become permanent residents if both the sponsor and applicant qualify and the application is approved.
Super Visa vs PGP Comparison
| Comparison Factor | Super Visa | Parents and Grandparents Program |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration status | Temporary resident | Permanent resident if approved |
| 2026 availability | Applications remain available | New intake paused |
| Primary purpose | Extended family visits | Permanent family reunification |
| Length of stay/status | Up to 5 years per stay under current rules | Permanent residence after approval |
| Invitation required | No PGP-style invitation | Sponsor must be invited to apply |
| Income requirement | Current Super Visa MNI rules | PGP sponsorship income rules |
| Income assessment | Updated March 31, 2026 rules | 3 tax years before application under current PGP rules |
| Private medical insurance | Mandatory | Not the same Super Visa insurance requirement |
| Medical examination | Required | Medical requirements apply during PR processing |
| Financial obligation | Host must demonstrate financial support | Sponsor signs a formal undertaking |
| Work status | Super Visa itself does not grant work authorization | PR status generally provides the right to work in Canada |
| Best suited for | Extended temporary visits | Permanent reunification |
IRCC currently states that new PGP intake is paused, while the Super Visa remains available to eligible families.
How Do the Financial Requirements Differ?
For a Super Visa, the host must meet the applicable minimum income based on family size. Current rules allow an eligible spouse or common-law partner to co-sign, and the March 2026 changes provide additional ways of satisfying the income calculation. Private medical insurance is another significant cost families need to consider.
PGP sponsorship has a different financial test. Under the rules published for the most recent intake, a sponsor needed to prove sufficient income for each of the three tax years before applying. An eligible spouse or common-law partner could co-sign to combine income. Any future PGP intake should be assessed using the rules IRCC publishes for that intake rather than assuming previous requirements will remain unchanged.
PGP sponsorship also involves a substantial financial undertaking. Outside Quebec, the undertaking period for a sponsored parent or grandparent is currently 20 years, beginning when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. Quebec has separate sponsorship requirements.
Families planning financially for a future application may also want to review the potential cost of sponsoring a family member in Canada.
Does a Super Visa Lead to Permanent Residence?
No. A Super Visa does not automatically lead to Canadian permanent residence.
It does not convert into PGP sponsorship, reserve a future invitation, or guarantee eligibility for another immigration program. The holder remains a temporary resident and must continue to comply with the conditions attached to that status.
If permanent residence is the family’s goal, the parent or grandparent would need to qualify separately under the PGP or another permanent residence pathway available to them.
Other Family Class pathways have different requirements. For example, the process for sponsoring spouse in Canada is separate from both the Super Visa and the Parents and Grandparents Program.
What Should Families Do While PGP Intake Is Paused?
The best option depends on the family’s immediate goal. The Super Visa may help with extended visits, but it should not be presented as a replacement for permanent residence through the PGP.
Scenario 1: You Want Your Parents in Canada Soon for Extended Visits
If your immediate goal is for a parent or grandparent to spend an extended period with family in Canada, reviewing Super Visa eligibility may make sense.
Start by checking the host’s family size and income, the applicant’s relationship to the host, medical insurance requirements, medical examination requirements and general visitor eligibility. Meeting the basic requirements allows someone to apply; it does not guarantee approval.
Scenario 2: Your Goal Is Permanent Residence for Your Parents
If your goal is permanent family reunification, the Super Visa does not provide that status.
The PGP is the relevant sponsorship program, but new intake is currently paused. Families considering future sponsorship should monitor official IRCC announcements rather than relying on predicted reopening dates. They can also review potential sponsor eligibility, family size and financial history so they understand the requirements if a future intake is announced.
Scenario 3: You Already Submitted a PGP Application
An existing PGP application is different from trying to enter a new intake.
IRCC says existing applications will continue to be processed despite the July 15, 2026 pause. Applicants should continue monitoring their file and keep IRCC informed of relevant changes to their information.
Scenario 4: You Previously Submitted an Interest to Sponsor Form
A previous interest-to-sponsor submission does not automatically authorize a new sponsorship application.
PGP sponsorship requires an invitation to apply. With new intake paused, IRCC is not currently issuing new invitations. Families should wait for official instructions rather than submitting an uninvited application.
Scenario 5: Your Parents Want to Visit While Waiting for Sponsorship
A pending sponsorship application does not prevent a parent or grandparent from considering a separate Super Visa application.
IRCC specifically states that someone who has already submitted a sponsorship application can apply for a Super Visa while waiting for a decision. The Super Visa application is assessed separately and all eligibility requirements still apply.
When Can an Immigration Consultant Help?
Families may consider professional immigration assistance when they need help determining which option fits their goal or when the documentation is complicated.
An experienced Immigration Consultant can assist families with areas such as reviewing Super Visa eligibility, calculating family size, examining host and co-signer income, preparing invitation letters, organising relationship evidence, checking insurance documentation and reviewing an existing PGP situation.
Families seeking local professional assistance can also learn more about working with a Super Visa consultant in Toronto.
Professional assistance can also be useful where there has been a previous refusal, uncertainty about financial evidence, family-size complications or questions about applying for a Super Visa while a PGP case is already processing. Using a representative does not change IRCC’s legal requirements or guarantee approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parent Sponsorship Open in Canada in 2026?
No. As of August 18, 2026, new PGP intake is paused, with no new interest-to-sponsor forms or invitations being issued until further notice.
Can I Apply for a Super Visa While PGP Sponsorship Is Paused?
Yes. Eligible parents and grandparents can still apply separately for a Super Visa if both the applicant and Canadian host meet current IRCC requirements.
Is a Super Visa a Permanent Residence Visa?
No. A Super Visa provides temporary resident status for extended family visits. It does not grant permanent residence or automatically convert into permanent residence later.
How Long Can Parents Stay in Canada With a Super Visa?
Under current rules, eligible Super Visa holders can generally remain in Canada for up to five years at a time after being granted entry.
Can Parents Apply for a Super Visa While a PGP Application Is Processing?
Yes. IRCC allows a separate Super Visa application while a sponsorship application is pending, but the applicant must independently meet all Super Visa eligibility requirements.