Canada freezes parents and grandparents sponsorship programme, leaving Indian diaspora families in limbo

Canada suspended new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) on July 15, 2025.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) cited a backlog of over 60,000 cases as the reason.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can no longer submit Interest to Sponsor forms until further notice.

Indian diaspora families are among those left without a pathway to sponsor elderly relatives for permanent residence.

The suspension aims to reduce backlog and improve processing times.