Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Freeze for 2026

• New parent and grandparent sponsorship applications are not being accepted in 2026, following Ministerial Instructions that took effect on January 1, 2026.
• Only applications submitted under the 2025 intake will continue to be processed, with IRCC authorized to move forward on up to 10,000 files from that intake.
• Families who weren’t invited must rely on temporary options, such as the Super Visa or visitor status, while waiting for future intake instructions.

What Changed Starting January 1, 2026

As of January 1, 2026, the Parents and Grandparents Program intake is effectively paused for new files. Under new Ministerial Instructions, IRCC is no longer receiving for processing any new parent or grandparent permanent residence applications or the related sponsorship applications, until further instructions are issued.

What that means in plain terms:

• You cannot start a brand new PGP application in 2026 and expect it to move forward. If it doesn’t meet the intake conditions, it will be returned.
• IRCC is continuing to work through the existing inventory. The instructions were issued as an administrative step to keep processing existing applications into 2026.
• IRCC has the authority to accept up to 10,000 sponsorship applications that were received in 2025 under the 2025 intake. 
• If no new instructions are issued for 2026, no other PGP applications will be accepted for processing in 2026.

What IRCC Will Still Process in 2026

Even though the Parents and Grandparents Program intake is paused, IRCC is still processing certain files in 2026. The key is that these are not new applications. They are part of the 2025 intake and existing inventory.

2025 Intake Applications Already Submitted

IRCC can continue accepting into processing up to 10,000 complete applications that were received in 2025 under the 2025 intake. If your application was submitted during that window and meets the intake conditions, it can still move forward in 2026.

These 2025 applications were tied to invitations issued from the 2020 interest to sponsor pool. If you were invited and submitted on time, your file remains in the pipeline.

Files In Inventory and In Progress

IRCC is also continuing to work on files that were already in the system before 2026, including applications that have passed the initial intake stage and are waiting on assessments, background checks, medicals or document review.

Applications are generally processed in the order they are received, but timelines can still vary based on complexity and required steps.

Who Is Affected and What It Means for Your Family

This pause affects families in very different ways depending on where you were in the process. Here’s how to understand your situation and what it means right now:

If You Submitted a 2025 Intake Application

If you submitted a complete application during the 2025 intake window, your file is still eligible to be processed in 2026. The pause doesn’t cancel applications that were properly submitted under the 2025 intake.

What this means in practice is simple. Your case is now in the existing queue and your main job is to keep it moving smoothly.

What to do now:

• Watch for requests for updated documents, proof of income or family information.
• Keep your email, address and online account details current.
• Respond quickly to any request so the file does not stall unnecessarily.

If anything in your family situation changed since you applied, for example, a change in marital status, dependants or contact information, get legal advice early to handle everything correctly.

If You Were Invited But Did Not Apply

If you received an invitation in 2025 but did not submit a complete application by the deadline, you cannot submit it now. The 2026 pause means IRCC is not receiving new applications for processing and missed invitation deadlines are not being reopened.

What this means for families is frustrating but clear. An invitation is not reusable. If IRCC runs another intake in the future, it will be based on whatever process IRCC chooses at that time, which may or may not use the same pool.

Your best path in 2026 is usually planning a strong temporary option, most often the Super Visa, while monitoring for any new PGP instructions.

If You Were Never Invited

If you submitted an interest to sponsor in 2020 but were not selected or you never entered that pool at all, you are affected the most by the pause. As of January 1, 2026, there is no open intake for new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications and there is no alternative way to submit a PGP application without an invitation under a future intake.

For most families in this position, the practical next step is to plan for a temporary pathway that allows parents or grandparents to visit and stay longer while you keep an eye on future PGP announcements.

The Best Alternatives for 2026 for Most Families

With the Parents and Grandparents sponsorship intake paused, most families will need a temporary plan in 2026. The right option depends on where your parents are now, how long you want them to stay and whether they qualify on their own for any temporary status.

The Super Visa

For most families, the Super Visa is the strongest alternative because it’s designed specifically for parents and grandparents who want longer stays in Canada. It’s typically the first option to evaluate if your goal is meaningful time together without repeated short extensions.

Key planning points:

• Best for longer stays and repeat travel.
• Requires advance planning around documentation and eligibility.
• Often the most practical bridge while waiting for future PGP instructions.

Standard Visitor Visa as a Short-Term Bridge

If the Super Visa is not realistic yet, a regular visitor visa can still be useful as a temporary bridge. This can make sense when the visit is shorter, timing is urgent or you need time to prepare for a stronger Super Visa application later.

Key planning points:

• Better for shorter visits or near-term travel plans.
• Extensions are possible but not automatic.
• Works best when the purpose of travel and ties to home are clearly documented.

Extending Visitor Status from Inside Canada

If your parent or grandparent is already in Canada as a visitor, you may be able to apply to extend their status from inside Canada. This can be a practical option for families trying to avoid travel disruptions, but it needs careful planning to avoid falling out of status.

Key planning points:

• Apply before the current status expires.
• Do not assume approvals are routine.
• Keep records that support the need for a longer stay and the ability to support it financially.

Temporary Work Path Only If the Parent Qualifies Independently

This is not common, but it can be viable in certain situations. A parent may qualify for a temporary work permit based on their own eligibility, not because they are being sponsored. It’s highly fact-specific and should be pursued only when there is a credible, well-documented plan.

Key planning points:

• Requires genuine eligibility and a realistic purpose.
• Not a replacement for family reunification.
• Best treated as a specialised option for a small subset of families.

What To Do Next for Your Family

The Parents and Grandparents sponsorship pause doesn’t mean family reunification is off the table, but it does mean the path forward looks different in 2026.

For families with applications already submitted, the focus should be on keeping files clean, responsive and moving through the system without avoidable delays. For everyone else, the priority is choosing a temporary strategy that works in practice, not one that creates new risks or false expectations.

At Ackah Law, we help families understand where they stand under the current rules and build a plan that protects status, preserves options and keeps loved ones as close as possible while longer-term pathways remain paused.

If you would like help reviewing your situation, exploring Super Visa or visitor options or preparing for a future intake when it opens, you are welcome to book a call with one of our client engagement coordinators. We will help you understand what is possible and how to take the next step.