New Rules: Canada Suspends Parent and Grandparent PR Sponsorships in Bid to Streamline Immigration

Toronto(The Uttam Hindu): The Canadian government has announced a temporary suspension of new permanent residency (PR) applications for parents and grandparents under the Family Class stream. This decision, published in the Canada Gazette on Friday, will remain in effect until further instructions are provided by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller.

As of January 1, 2025, no new PR applications or sponsorships for parents and grandparents will be processed. However, applications received in 2024 will continue to be considered for processing in 2025. The government clarified that no new applications will be accepted for the 2025 calendar year unless additional instructions are issued. While the PR application process is suspended, parents and grandparents can still apply for the supervisa, a long-term, multiple-entry visa that allows extended stays of up to five years. This visa remains an alternative for those looking to reunite with family members in Canada.

In 2023, Canada welcomed 28,313 individuals under the parent and grandparent category, representing a 4% increase from the previous year. However, by the end of 2023, more than 40,000 sponsorship applications were still pending. Additionally, 73,113 super visa applications were approved, with processing times improving from 36 months in 2022 to 24 months in 2023. The government has also introduced a cap of 15,000 on the number of sponsorship applications to be processed in the future, aiming to better manage the demand for family reunification. This move reflects ongoing efforts to streamline the immigration system.