Quick answer: On July 15, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it is pausing new intake under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). IRCC says it will continue processing existing PGP applications and plans to approve up to 15,000 people for permanent residence through the PGP in 2026. For many Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Edmonton, Alberta and across Canada, the most practical family-reunification option to review now is the parent and grandparent Super Visa.
Last reviewed: July 26, 2026. This article explains what changed, what did not change, and how families can plan their next steps without relying on rumours or outdated PGP timelines.
What changed in the Parents and Grandparents Program?
IRCC’s July 15, 2026 notice says Canada is pausing the intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program. The department also says it will not receive new interest to sponsor forms or invite potential sponsors to apply until further notice.
That is the key practical point for families: if you were waiting for a new PGP interest-to-sponsor opening, there is currently no new intake to submit. If you already have an application in process, IRCC says existing applications will continue to be processed.
The pause is connected to Canada’s 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan. The plan lists Parents and Grandparents under the family class with a 2026 target of 15,000 admissions, with a low range of 13,000 and a high range of 19,000. IRCC’s July 15 notice says the government plans to approve up to 15,000 people through the PGP in 2026.
Why this matters for Edmonton and Alberta families
Global Hire works with many families in Edmonton, Calgary and across Alberta who want parents or grandparents to spend meaningful time in Canada. The PGP pause does not mean family visits are impossible, but it does change the planning conversation.
For families who hoped to sponsor a parent or grandparent for permanent residence, the immediate question is no longer “when can I submit a new PGP interest form?” The better question is usually “what visitor option is realistic while PGP intake is paused?”
For many families, that means reviewing the Super Visa. A Super Visa is not permanent residence, but it may allow a parent or grandparent to visit for longer periods than a regular visitor visa, if the applicant and host meet the requirements.
PGP pause vs Super Visa: what is the difference?
| Issue | Parents and Grandparents Program | Super Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Permanent residence for eligible parents or grandparents | Longer temporary visits to Canada |
| Current intake status | New intake paused as of IRCC’s July 15, 2026 notice | Super Visa applications remain an available visitor pathway |
| Length of stay | Permanent residence if approved | Up to 5 years at a time, with multiple entries for up to 10 years |
| Who is involved | Sponsor and parent or grandparent applicant | Parent or grandparent applicant, supported by child or grandchild in Canada |
| Dependants | Depends on family-class rules and application details | IRCC says dependants cannot be included in a Super Visa application |
Can parents and grandparents still come to Canada?
Yes, potentially. The PGP pause affects new permanent residence sponsorship intake under the Parents and Grandparents Program. It does not automatically stop parents and grandparents from applying for a visitor visa or Super Visa if they meet the requirements.
IRCC describes the Super Visa as a multiple-entry visitor visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents or registered Indians. The official Super Visa page says eligible visitors can stay for 5 years at a time and that the visa provides multiple entries for up to 10 years.
If the intended visit is 6 months or less, IRCC says a regular visitor visa may be the correct route instead. The right option depends on the purpose of travel, country of residence, family situation, income support, insurance, previous immigration history and whether the applicant can satisfy temporary resident requirements.
Important Super Visa requirements to review
A Super Visa application is document-heavy. Families should not assume approval just because the PGP is paused. The applicant still has to qualify as a temporary resident, and the host in Canada must provide proper support documents.
1. Host income evidence
The child or grandchild in Canada must show that they meet the income requirements for the family size. IRCC changed how the Super Visa income requirement is calculated starting March 31, 2026. Under the updated approach, hosts may have more than one way to meet the income requirement, including using either of the two taxation years before the application in certain cases.
Families should carefully check the current income table and document rules before applying. A missing Notice of Assessment, incomplete household-size calculation or misunderstanding about co-signer income can create avoidable problems.
2. Private medical insurance
Super Visa applicants must show qualifying private medical insurance because they are generally not eligible for provincial or territorial health coverage as visitors. IRCC announced in 2025 that some policies from insurance companies outside Canada may be accepted if they meet specific federal requirements, including authorization by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI).
Insurance should be reviewed carefully for coverage amount, term, refund conditions, exclusions and whether the policy meets IRCC’s current rules. Families should not rely only on the insurer’s marketing language.
3. Purpose of visit and ties outside Canada
A Super Visa is still a temporary resident application. The applicant should be prepared to show why the visit makes sense, how long they plan to stay, how expenses will be covered, and what ties they have outside Canada. Travel history, medical admissibility, family ties, finances and previous refusals can all affect the file.
What should families do now?
If your family was hoping for a new PGP intake in 2026, use the pause as a reason to organize your plan rather than waiting passively. The following steps are practical for families in Edmonton, Alberta and across Canada.
Check whether there is already a PGP application in process
If your family already submitted a PGP application from an earlier intake, confirm the current application status, correspondence history and whether IRCC has requested anything. The July 15 notice says existing applications will continue to be processed.
Review Super Visa eligibility early
Do not wait until a parent has booked travel or sold property abroad. Review the host’s income, family size, insurance options and the parent or grandparent’s visitor history before filing.
Compare Super Visa and regular visitor visa strategy
Some families need long visits and should review the Super Visa. Others only need a shorter visit and may be better suited to a visitor visa. The stronger strategy depends on the facts.
Prepare documents with consistency
Names, dates, addresses, employment details, invitation letters, family relationships and financial records should be consistent across the file. Small inconsistencies can cause delays or raise questions.
Watch for future IRCC updates
IRCC has said the PGP pause is until further notice. Families should monitor official IRCC updates rather than relying on social media posts promising a reopening date.
How Global Hire can help
Global Hire helps families review Canadian immigration and visitor options, including Super Visa applications, Canadian immigration consultation, permanent residence planning and supporting document strategy.
If you are in Edmonton, Calgary or elsewhere in Canada and want to bring a parent or grandparent for a longer visit, a document review can help identify problems before an application is submitted. This is especially important now that many families who hoped for a new PGP intake may be shifting to Super Visa planning.
Sources checked
- IRCC notice: Canada takes steps to responsibly manage the Parents and Grandparents Program
- IRCC: Supplementary Information for the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan
- IRCC: Super visa for parents and grandparents
- IRCC notice: Changes to how the Super Visa income requirement is calculated
- IRCC notice: Change to health insurance requirement makes the Super Visa more accessible
FAQ
Is the Parents and Grandparents Program closed in 2026?
IRCC announced on July 15, 2026 that it is pausing new intake under the Parents and Grandparents Program. It also said it will continue processing existing applications and plans to approve up to 15,000 people through the PGP in 2026.
Can I submit a new interest to sponsor form for my parents or grandparents?
Not at this time. IRCC’s July 15, 2026 notice says it will not receive new interest to sponsor forms or invite potential sponsors to apply until further notice.
Is a Super Visa the same as permanent residence?
No. A Super Visa is a temporary resident visa for eligible parents and grandparents. It can allow longer visits, but it does not make the parent or grandparent a permanent resident of Canada.
How long can a parent or grandparent stay in Canada with a Super Visa?
IRCC’s Super Visa page says eligible parents and grandparents can visit for 5 years at a time, with multiple entries for up to 10 years.
Should I apply for a Super Visa or a regular visitor visa?
If the intended stay is 6 months or less, IRCC says a visitor visa may be appropriate. If the goal is a longer visit and the family can meet the Super Visa requirements, a Super Visa may be worth reviewing.
Can Global Hire guarantee a Super Visa approval?
No. No representative can guarantee approval. Outcomes depend on the applicant’s facts, the host’s documents, current IRCC rules and the officer’s assessment.
Important note: This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Canadian immigration rules, program intake, document requirements and processing instructions can change without notice. Always confirm current requirements before applying.
