Canada Parents and Grandparents Program 2026 Paused: What Punjab Families Can Do Now
Short answer: Canada has paused new intake under its Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Since IRCC's notice of 15 July 2026, it is not accepting new interest to sponsor forms or inviting sponsors to apply "until further notice", while it keeps processing applications already in the system and plans to approve up to 15,000 people for permanent residence in 2026. For most Punjab families, the parent and grandparent super visa is now the main way for parents to spend long periods with their children in Canada.
Sponsoring parents for Canadian PR is one of the most common goals we hear about from families in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Moga and Bathinda whose sons and daughters have settled in Canada. This update explains where the Canada Parents and Grandparents Program 2026 stands as of October 2026, what the pause means in different situations, and what you can do instead. Key facts come from IRCC's official notice and the PGP program page.
Canada Parents and Grandparents Program 2026: What Changed
On 15 July 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it is pausing the intake of new applications under the PGP. The official program page now shows the program status as "Paused" and says IRCC is not currently accepting applications. In practical terms:
No new interest to sponsor forms: the online form that sponsors used to register interest is not being accepted.
No new invitations: IRCC says it will not invite potential sponsors to apply until further notice, so families waiting from earlier interest pools should not expect an invitation while the pause lasts.
Existing applications continue: complete PGP applications already submitted will keep being processed.
Admissions target: IRCC plans to approve up to 15,000 people through the PGP in 2026.
No reopening date: IRCC has not announced when, or whether, intake will reopen.
Why did IRCC pause the program?
IRCC presents the pause as part of keeping the immigration system well managed and sustainable. The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets a target of 15,000 parent and grandparent admissions in each of 2026, 2027 and 2028 (with a range of 13,000 to 19,000), and interest from sponsors has been far higher than that. Pausing intake lets IRCC work through applications already in the queue.
What the Pause Means for Your Family
You already submitted a full PGP application: it continues in processing. Keep your IRCC online account up to date, answer requests for medicals, biometrics or police certificates quickly, and check IRCC's processing times tool for an estimate.
You submitted an interest to sponsor form but were never invited: no invitation is expected while the pause is in place. Plan around the super visa instead of waiting.
You never applied: there is currently no way to start a new PGP sponsorship.
Your parents visit Canada regularly: a super visa can replace repeated short visitor visas and allow stays of up to five years at a time.
PGP vs Super Visa vs Visitor Visa: Quick Comparison
Feature | PGP sponsorship | Super visa | Regular visitor visa |
|---|---|---|---|
Status (October 2026) | Paused for new intake | Open | Open |
What it gives | Permanent residence | Long-term temporary visits | Short temporary visits |
Length of stay | Live in Canada permanently | Up to 5 years at a time | Set by the border officer, usually up to 6 months |
Visa validity | Not applicable (PR status) | Up to 10 years, multiple entry | Set by the visa officer |
Income test for the child or grandchild | Yes, sponsorship income rules | Yes, minimum necessary income | No fixed host income test |
Private medical insurance | Not a visa condition | Mandatory, minimum $100,000 emergency cover | Strongly recommended |
Can parents work in Canada? | Yes, as permanent residents | No | No |
The super visa does not lead to permanent residence, and dependants cannot be included in the application. But for most families its long stays and 10-year validity cover what they actually want: time together in Canada.
Super Visa Checklist for Parents from Punjab
If you choose the super visa, these steps follow IRCC's super visa eligibility and documents pages:
Confirm the host: your child or grandchild must be at least 18, live in Canada, and be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian.
Check the host's income: it must meet or exceed the minimum necessary income for their family size. Since 31 March 2026, either of the two tax years before the application can be used, and in some cases the visiting parents' own income can be added (IRCC notice).
Get the letter of invitation: signed by the host, with proof of income and a list of the people counted in the family size, including each person's name and date of birth.
Buy medical insurance: from a Canadian insurer or an authorised foreign insurer, with at least $100,000 emergency coverage for health care, hospitalisation and repatriation, valid for at least one year from each entry. It must be paid in full or by instalments with a deposit. Quotes are not accepted.
Prove the relationship: for example, birth certificates that show the link between parent and child or grandchild.
Take the immigration medical exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician.
Apply online and give biometrics: the VFS Global Canada visa application centres serving Punjab are in Jalandhar and Chandigarh.
Show your ties to India: property, family, pension or business records help show you will leave Canada at the end of your authorised stay.
Beware of PGP "Quota" or "Guaranteed PR" Offers
Because IRCC is not accepting interest forms, anyone who says they can get your parents a PGP invitation or file right now is not telling the truth. IRCC says it will never call you and ask you to deposit money into a personal bank account. If someone will act as your paid representative on an IRCC application, IRCC says they must be authorised, for example a member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants or a Canadian law society.
Will the PGP Reopen?
IRCC has not given a date. The current levels plan keeps a 15,000 target for 2027 and 2028, but that number covers people being approved, not new intake. Canada normally announces its next levels plan in the autumn, so watch for any PGP news then. We will update this guide when IRCC makes an announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program open in 2026?
No. On 15 July 2026 IRCC paused intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program. It is not accepting new interest to sponsor forms or inviting sponsors to apply until further notice, and no reopening date has been announced.
What happens to PGP applications that were already submitted?
IRCC says it will keep processing existing applications and plans to approve up to 15,000 people for permanent residence through the program in 2026. Applicants should keep their online account up to date and respond quickly to any requests.
What is the best alternative to PGP for parents from Punjab?
For most families it is the parent and grandparent super visa. It allows stays of up to 5 years at a time and can be valid for up to 10 years with multiple entries, but it does not give permanent residence and parents cannot work in Canada.
How long can parents stay in Canada on a super visa?
A super visa lets parents and grandparents stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time. The visa itself can be valid for up to 10 years with multiple entries.
What medical insurance is required for a Canada super visa?
Private insurance from a Canadian company or an authorised foreign insurer, with at least $100,000 emergency coverage for health care, hospitalisation and repatriation, valid for at least one year from each entry. It must be paid in full or by instalments with a deposit; quotes are not accepted.
Can someone in Punjab get my parents a PGP invitation for a fee?
No. IRCC is not issuing PGP invitations while the program is paused, so any offer of a guaranteed invitation or PR file is a warning sign. Only use authorised representatives and never pay into personal bank accounts.
Plan Your Parents' Canada Visit with World Immigration Terminal
The PGP pause is disappointing, but most families can still bring parents to Canada for long stays. Our Jalandhar team can check your family's super visa eligibility, review the host's income and invitation letter, and help you prepare a complete file. Book a consultation with World Immigration Terminal to get started. For more detail, read our Canada super visa guide, our update on the 2026 super visa income changes, and our Canada visitor visa guide.
Last verified: October 2026. Canadian immigration programs, income thresholds and fees change often. This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not guarantee any visa or permanent residence outcome. Always confirm current rules on the official IRCC Parents and Grandparents Program page and IRCC super visa page, or consult World Immigration Terminal.
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