Canada has announced plans to accept up to 10,000 visa applications for parents and grandparents under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) in 2025, allowing more families to reunite.
The program enables Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency. To qualify, sponsors must be at least 18 years old, meet income requirements, and agree to provide financial support for their sponsored relatives. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) oversees the program, emphasizing its role in strengthening family connections.
For those seeking extended visits rather than permanent residency, the Super Visa remains an alternative. This visa allows multiple entries over a 10-year period, with each stay lasting up to five years. IRCC has recently made the Super Visa more accessible by updating health insurance requirements, allowing applicants to purchase coverage from international providers rather than just Canadian insurers.
Processing times for PGP applications currently stand at around 24 months for applicants outside Quebec. Due to Quebec’s specific immigration policies, applications for those settling in the province take approximately 48 months. Super Visa holders must have private health insurance, as they are not covered under Canada’s public healthcare system.
For shorter visits of six months or less, a standard visitor visa remains an option. With these expanded opportunities, Canada continues to prioritize family reunification while balancing immigration policies with economic and social considerations.