CANADA closes Parents and Grandparents Program

In a significant move, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) will not accept any new applications in 2025. This decision comes as the department focuses on processing the substantial backlog of existing applications.

According to IRCC, there are over 40,000 pending applications from 2023, with an average processing time of 24 months. To address this backlog, the department will prioritize processing these existing applications, aiming to support the government's goals around immigration and family reunification.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated that focusing on existing applications will "best support" the government's objectives. This decision is part of a broader strategy to manage immigration levels, which are set to decrease over the next three years.

In 2024, Canada aimed to accept 20,500 new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications, with 35,700 individuals invited to apply. However, the new directive limits the number of applications to be processed this year to 15,000.

The pause on new applications is also linked to concerns about housing and healthcare systems strained by rapid population growth. The government's immigration levels plan outlines significant reductions in immigration numbers, with a goal of admitting more than 24,000 people through the parent and grandparent stream this year.

Conclusion:
The temporary closure of the Parents and Grandparents Program to new applications is a strategic move by IRCC to address the existing backlog and ensure a more efficient processing system. While this decision may impact families planning to sponsor their loved ones, it demonstrates the government's commitment to managing immigration levels and addressing pressing concerns around housing and healthcare.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.


Source:
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)