Canada to Begin Issuing PGP Sponsorship Invitations from July 28, 2025
Why This Matters
The Government of Canada has announced the official intake period for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Starting July 28, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will begin sending out 17,860 invitations to eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents who wish to sponsor their parents or grandparents for immigration.
This move is part of Canada’s broader commitment to family reunification a pillar of its immigration policy.
Key Factors to Consider
• Invitation Period: Between July 28 and mid-August 2025, IRCC will send invitations to applicants who submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020 and haven’t yet been invited.
• Target Number of Applications: The government aims to receive 10,000 complete applications from the selected invitees.
• No New Expression of Interest This Year: Only those in the 2020 pool are eligible for this round. No fresh forms are being accepted in 2025.
• Super Visa Still Available: For those not selected, the Super Visa remains a viable alternative, allowing extended stays of up to 5 years at a time.
Details from the Official Release
In an official update posted on canada.ca, IRCC confirmed that invitations would be sent exclusively via email. All potential sponsors are advised to:
• Check their inbox and junk/spam folders regularly during the intake window.
• Watch for an email from IRCC inviting them to apply for the PGP 2025 intake.
• Submit their complete sponsorship application within 60 days of receiving the invitation.
The application process must be completed through IRCC’s Permanent Residence Portal, where digital documentation and status updates will be managed.
How to Get Started
If you submitted your Interest to Sponsor in 2020 and haven’t yet been selected:
• Monitor your email from July 28 to August 11, 2025.
• If invited, start your application immediately and prepare required documents (proof of income, relationship, residency, etc.).
• Use the PR Portal to upload your completed application before the 60-day deadline.
• Do not re-submit an Interest to Sponsor form this round is only for the 2020 pool.
Considerations
• Email is the only method IRCC will use to contact selected sponsors. Double-check your contact information is still active.
• Timing is critical missing the 60-day application window forfeits your opportunity.
• Ensure financial eligibility by reviewing Canada’s Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirements for sponsors.
• If you’re not selected, consider the Super Visa, which offers long-term stay options for parents and grandparents without full sponsorship.
If you or someone you know submitted a sponsorship interest form in 2020, check your email starting July 28. This may be your long-awaited opportunity to bring your loved ones closer but you only have 60 days to act once invited.