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Canada Freezes Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Applications, Indian Families Face Fresh Uncertainty

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Canada has temporarily suspended new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) to reduce processing delays and immigration backlogs. The move is expected to significantly affect Indian-origin families hoping to reunite with their parents.

Ottawa, July 21 |The Canadian government has temporarily suspended the acceptance of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), a key immigration pathway that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency. The decision, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is aimed at reducing a growing application backlog and improving processing times.

According to IRCC, no new Interest to Sponsor forms will be accepted until further notice. Officials said the temporary pause will allow immigration authorities to focus on applications already in the system and ensure a more efficient and predictable immigration process for families awaiting decisions.

The PGP operates through a lottery-based selection system. When Canada last accepted new sponsorship interest forms in 2020, more than 203,000 applications were received. Since then, invitations have been issued only from that 2020 applicant pool, resulting in a substantial backlog.

IRCC stated that the suspension is intended to help manage Canada's immigration system responsibly while providing greater certainty to applicants already waiting in the queue. Despite annual immigration targets, processing delays under the PGP have remained a significant challenge.

The decision is expected to have a major impact on Indian-origin families, as India remains the largest source country for immigrants to Canada. Many newcomers consider sponsoring their parents and grandparents an important long-term goal after securing permanent residency. Beyond family reunification, elderly parents often play a crucial role in childcare, enabling working parents to remain in the workforce.

IRCC estimates that approximately 60,500 applications are currently being processed. The Canadian government plans to admit 15,000 permanent residents annually through the PGP between 2026 and 2028. Average processing times are around three years across Canada, while applicants in Quebec may wait up to 4.5 years.

Immigration experts believe the temporary suspension could delay family reunification plans for thousands of applicants, especially among Indian families who were preparing to submit new sponsorship requests.

Balancing Immigration Efficiency and Family Reunification

Canada's decision highlights the challenge of maintaining an efficient immigration system while preserving family reunification opportunities. Although reducing backlogs is necessary, prolonged pauses can create uncertainty for immigrant families. Policymakers will need to strike a balance between administrative efficiency and the social importance of keeping families together.

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