Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Thousands of Punjabi families hoping to reunite with their parents in Canada have received a significant setback after the Canadian government suspended fresh applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), closing one of the most popular pathways for permanent family reunification.
The restriction came into effect on July 15, 2026, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announcing that it will no longer accept new “Interest to Sponsor” applications until further notice. Officials clarified that only applications submitted before the deadline will continue to be processed.
The decision is expected to have a major impact on Punjab, where a large number of families have children settled in Canada as permanent residents or citizens. Many had planned to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence after securing their own immigration status.
Existing Cases to Continue
Canadian authorities have assured applicants that files already submitted before the suspension will not be affected. These applications will continue to move through the immigration process under existing rules.
However, no fresh invitations will be issued to prospective sponsors, effectively putting new family sponsorship plans on hold.
Backlog Behind the Move
The Canadian government said the temporary pause is aimed at tackling a large backlog of pending applications. Officials estimate that around 60,000 PGP applications are already awaiting processing, while annual demand continues to far exceed the available quota.
Under Canada’s current immigration targets, the government plans to grant permanent residence to 15,000 parents and grandparents during 2026, making it necessary to prioritise existing files before accepting new ones.
Super Visa Remains Available
Although the permanent sponsorship route has been suspended, families can still invite parents and grandparents through the Super Visa programme. The visa allows eligible relatives to stay in Canada for up to five years per visit and remains valid for multiple entries over a period of 10 years.
However, unlike the PGP, the Super Visa does not provide permanent resident status, meaning beneficiaries cannot settle permanently in Canada under this route.
Punjab Among the Worst Affected
The announcement is likely to resonate strongly across Punjab, particularly in the Doaba and Malwa regions, where migration to Canada has remained high for years. For many families, sponsoring elderly parents was considered the final step in completing family reunification after children established themselves abroad.
Immigration consultants say many recent permanent residents who were preparing to submit sponsorship applications will now have to wait until Ottawa reopens the programme.
Temporary Measure, Not Permanent Closure
Experts believe the suspension may not be permanent. According to immigration professionals, the Canadian government could restart the intake of new sponsorship applications once the current backlog is reduced and future immigration targets are revised.
For now, however, families hoping to bring parents or grandparents to Canada on a permanent basis will have to postpone those plans, relying instead on temporary visa options until further policy changes are announced.
