Canada to Accept 10,000 Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Applications in 2025, While Expanding Super Visa Access for Extended Family Visits
OTTAWA – Canada has unveiled plans to accept up to 10,000 complete sponsorship applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) in 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced. This initiative enables Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency, facilitating family reunification.
To qualify as sponsors, individuals must be at least 18 years of age, meet specific income requirements, and commit to financially supporting their sponsored family members. The IRCC administers the PGP.
For those seeking extended family visits without permanent residency, the Super Visa remains a viable alternative. This visa allows multiple entries over a 10-year period, with each stay permitted for up to five years. Recent IRCC policy changes have broadened the Super Visa’s accessibility by expanding accepted health insurance providers. Applicants must apply from outside Canada, meet temporary residence criteria, and provide proof of valid health insurance.
Current PGP processing times, as of February 5, 2025, are approximately 24 months for applicants outside Quebec and 48 months for those destined for Quebec, reflecting the province’s distinct family class admission targets. Super Visa holders are required to maintain private health insurance, as they are ineligible for provincial or territorial healthcare. Notably, the IRCC now accepts health insurance from international providers, a departure from previous requirements that limited acceptance to Canadian insurers.
For shorter visits of six months or less, the standard visitor visa remains an option.
Follow News Review on Facebook and X
 in 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced. This initiative enables Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency, facilitating family reunification.){kind=link}