Quick answer: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada paused new intake under the Parents and Grandparents Program on July 15, 2026. IRCC will not accept new interest to sponsor forms or issue new invitations until further notice. Existing applications will continue to be processed, and the federal government plans to approve up to 15,000 people through the program in 2026.
For families in Edmonton and across Alberta, this announcement changes the timing of family reunification planning, but it does not remove every option. The right response depends on whether you already have a sponsorship application in process, were hoping to submit an interest form, or want your parents or grandparents to visit Canada while waiting for a future intake.
This guide explains the change, who is affected, how the Super Visa may fit into a family plan, and what documents to organize now.
What changed in the Parents and Grandparents Program in 2026?
On July 15, 2026, IRCC officially paused new intake under the Parents and Grandparents Program, often called the PGP. Until IRCC announces another change, it will not accept new interest to sponsor forms, invite new potential sponsors to apply, or open a new application route outside the invitation process.
The pause does not cancel applications that IRCC already received. The department states that it will continue processing existing files and plans to approve up to 15,000 people for permanent residence through the PGP in 2026.
Who is affected by the PGP pause?
You already submitted a complete sponsorship application
Your application remains in processing. The intake pause does not mean that IRCC has refused or cancelled it. Continue monitoring your IRCC account, email, and application status. Respond promptly if IRCC requests medical examinations, police certificates, biometrics, updated forms, or additional proof.
Review the information in the original application before sending any update. Changes involving marital status, family composition, address, employment, or contact information may need to be reported. An incomplete or inconsistent response can create avoidable delays.
You submitted an interest form but were not invited
An old interest form is not the same as an invitation or a permanent residence application. The July 2026 notice says IRCC will not invite new potential sponsors until further notice. Do not assume that an earlier interest form guarantees a future invitation.
Keep your contact information current where IRCC permits updates, retain copies of confirmation records, and watch official government announcements. Be cautious of anyone claiming to have access to a private PGP intake or a guaranteed invitation.
You hoped to sponsor a parent or grandparent but have not submitted an interest form
You cannot submit a new PGP interest form while intake is paused. This is the right time to compare temporary family visit options and prepare for a possible future sponsorship opportunity.
A Super Visa may allow an eligible parent or grandparent to visit for up to five years at a time. A regular visitor visa may be more suitable for a planned stay of six months or less. Neither option gives permanent resident status, and each has separate requirements.
PGP sponsorship and the Super Visa are different pathways
| Question | Parents and Grandparents Program | Super Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Permanent residence through family sponsorship | Long term temporary visits |
| Current 2026 status | New intake paused | Applications remain available for eligible families |
| Length of status | Permanent residence if approved | Visits of up to five years at a time, with multiple entry validity of up to ten years |
| Invitation required | Yes, under the current PGP process | No PGP invitation is required |
| Medical insurance | Not the Super Visa insurance requirement | Qualifying private health insurance is required |
| Financial assessment | Sponsorship rules and an undertaking apply | The host must meet Super Visa income rules |
A Super Visa can help families spend meaningful time together, but it is not a shortcut to permanent residence. A parent or grandparent must continue to meet temporary resident requirements, including showing that they are a genuine visitor who will leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay.
How the 2026 Super Visa income changes may help Alberta families
IRCC changed the Super Visa income calculation on March 31, 2026. The update gives hosts more flexibility in two important ways.
Income can be assessed using either of the two preceding taxation years
A host and eligible co-signer may meet the minimum necessary income in either one of the two taxation years before the application. Previously, the assessment focused only on the year immediately before the application.
This may help an Edmonton family whose income changed because of parental leave, a temporary reduction in hours, a job transition, or another short term event. It does not remove the income requirement. It provides another year that may be used if the required threshold and documentation are satisfied.
A visiting parent or grandparent’s income may help cover a shortfall
Under the new calculation, the income of the visiting parent or grandparent may be added if the host and co-signer first meet the required minimum percentage of the income threshold. The applicant’s income must be properly documented and assessed under the applicable rules.
Do not add income figures informally or rely on unsupported bank deposits. The source, period, currency, accessibility, and documentary proof should be reviewed before an application is submitted.
Families should verify the current income table and proof requirements on the official IRCC Super Visa page before applying.
Super Visa eligibility and document planning
Host requirements
The host must generally be the applicant’s child or grandchild, be at least 18 years old, live in Canada, and be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian. The host must meet the minimum necessary income and provide a signed letter of invitation.
A spouse or common-law partner may be able to co-sign if that person has the required Canadian status. Other relatives, such as the host’s siblings, cannot simply co-sign because the family needs more income.
Applicant requirements
The parent or grandparent must apply from outside Canada, be admissible, complete an immigration medical examination, and hold qualifying private health insurance. IRCC also considers the purpose of the visit, family and financial circumstances, ties to the home country, and whether the applicant is likely to leave Canada when required.
Health insurance requirements
The policy must generally be valid for at least one year from the date of entry, provide at least $100,000 in emergency coverage, cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation, and be valid for each entry to Canada. It must come from a Canadian insurer or an eligible foreign insurer authorized under the applicable federal rules.
A quote alone is not proof of coverage. Families should verify the insurer, policy terms, effective date, exclusions, payment evidence, and applicant details.
A practical decision plan for Edmonton and Alberta families
Step 1: Identify the family’s immediate goal
Decide whether the priority is permanent family reunification, a long visit, or a shorter visit for a specific event. The answer affects whether the family should prepare for future PGP sponsorship, consider a Super Visa, or use the regular visitor visa route.
Step 2: Confirm the host’s status and family size
Income thresholds depend on family size. Count everyone required under the current rules, not only the people living in the Edmonton household. A previous sponsorship undertaking, dependent child, spouse, invited parent, or other person may affect the calculation.
Step 3: Review income before purchasing insurance
Check the current minimum necessary income and determine which taxation year provides the clearest evidence. Review notices of assessment, employment records, and any permitted co-signer or applicant income. Buying a policy before confirming basic eligibility can create unnecessary expense.
Step 4: Build the visitor purpose and home-ties evidence
A long authorized stay does not remove the need to show temporary intent. Prepare a coherent explanation of why the parent or grandparent wants to visit, where they will stay, how costs will be covered, and what ties support their return.
Step 5: Prepare a future PGP file without pretending intake is open
Keep civil status records, birth certificates, adoption records, passports, name-change documents, and translations organized. Sponsors should also retain tax records and review past undertakings or sponsorship obligations. Preparation can reduce pressure if IRCC later reopens intake, but it does not create a place in the program.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating the Super Visa as permanent residence: It remains temporary resident status.
- Using the wrong family size: An incorrect count can undermine the income calculation.
- Submitting only an insurance quote: IRCC requires qualifying coverage.
- Ignoring temporary intent: A close family relationship in Canada does not eliminate visitor requirements.
- Relying on an old PGP interest form: An interest form is not an invitation or an application.
- Using outdated forms or thresholds: Check the official rules immediately before submission.
- Paying for a guaranteed invitation: No representative can guarantee selection or approval.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Parents and Grandparents Program closed permanently?
No permanent closure has been announced. IRCC says new intake and invitations are paused until further notice. Existing applications will continue to be processed.
Can I submit a new interest to sponsor form in 2026?
Not while the July 15 pause remains in effect. Monitor official IRCC announcements for a future intake decision.
Can parents apply for a Super Visa while a PGP application is processing?
Yes, they may apply if they meet the Super Visa requirements. Approval of one application is not guaranteed by the existence of the other.
How long can a parent stay in Canada on a Super Visa?
An eligible parent or grandparent may be authorized to stay for up to five years at a time. The visa can provide multiple entries for up to ten years.
Does Super Visa insurance have to come from Canada?
Not always. An eligible policy may come from a Canadian insurer or a foreign insurer that meets IRCC’s federal authorization and business requirements.
How CanDream Immigration can help
CanDream Immigration can help Alberta families assess whether parent or grandparent sponsorship, a Super Visa, or a visitor visa fits the family’s present goal.
An assessment may include host eligibility, family-size calculations, income documentation, insurance requirements, visitor purpose, home-country ties, previous refusals, and future permanent residence planning. Families can contact CanDream Immigration in Edmonton to discuss their circumstances.
Legal information note: This article provides general information based on publicly available IRCC guidance reviewed on July 21, 2026. It is not legal advice and does not guarantee an invitation, approval, status, or processing time. Immigration policies can change without notice. Always verify current requirements with IRCC or obtain advice about your specific circumstances before applying.