Canada will not accept any new parents and grandparents visa applications in 2025
In 2025, Canada is pausing parents’ and grandparents’ permanent resident visa applications. However, existing applications made in 2024 under the Parents and Grandparents Programme (PGP) will continue to be processed. The announcement was published in the January 4 edition of the Canada Gazette.
“As of January 1, 2025, no new permanent resident visa applications made by parents or grandparents of a sponsor, and no sponsorship applications made in relation to those applications are received for processing until further Instructions are issued,” said the announcement in the Gazette.
Unless a new intake for 2025 is announced, only existing PR applications made on behalf of parents and grandparents will be processed.
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Any sponsorship or permanent resident visa application referred to in the instructions received in 2024 must have been submitted electronically (applied online) to be accepted for processing. An alternate application format would be provided to foreign nationals, sponsors, and their representatives who could not apply online.
Only applications received in 2024 will be accepted for processing in 2025. Under the family class, a maximum of 15,000 applications for parents’ and grandparents’ visas will be processed. Furthermore, any humanitarian requests made under this visa category that do not meet the necessary criteria will also not be considered.
This maximum amount may be amended in accordance with any subsequent instructions provided by the concerned authorities.
Know more about parents’ and grandparents’ visas and how you can bring family to Canada.
Family reunification is still a priority
Despite no new parents’ and grandparents’ visa applications being accepted in 2025, family reunification remains a priority for the federal government.
“We also understand the importance of reuniting families and loved ones, including spouses, children, parents, and grandparents,” said Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship. “That’s why we are continuing to allocate almost 24% of our overall permanent resident admissions to family immigration in 2025.”
Miller’s comments came as he unveiled plans to slow down Canada’s immigration rates over the next three years.
“We’re aware of our country’s current challenges and are stepping up to address Canada’s evolving needs,” he said. “Our immigration plan will support our economy while responding to the pressures that families and communities are facing today. Canada’s immigration plan for the next three years will pause our population growth in the short term to maintain well‑managed and sustainable growth for the long term.”
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