Canada Introduces Study Permit Exemption for Construction Trade Apprentices
March 11, 2025
On March 7, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced plans to issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to selected Canadian Citizens and Permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency in 2025.
Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP)
In January 2025, IRCC confirmed that no new invitations would be issued under the PGP, focusing instead on processing applications from the 2024 intake. However, the latest announcement means individuals who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 may still receive an ITA in 2025.
The government has not specified when invitations will be sent but will provide further details in the coming months.
IRCC selects sponsors through a lottery system. Since 2020, all ITAs have been issued to individuals who submitted interest to sponsor forms that year. The PGP intake remains closed.
About the PGP
The PGP enables Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency.
Sponsors must meet minimum income requirements and other criteria, while applicants must be admissible to Canada.
PGP applications cannot be submitted directly. Eligible sponsors must first submit an interest to sponsor form and await selection. Since 2020, the government has only issued ITAs to those who applied that year.
Alternative: Super Visa Program
Those unable to sponsor under the PGP can consider the Super Visa program, which allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for extended stays.
