Family reunification remains a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration system. The 2025 edition of the PGP reflects that commitment but also demonstrates the pressures and recalibrations that the system is undergoing. At Kurzfeld Law Firm, we’ve been helping Canadian citizens and permanent residents understand what the 2025 changes mean in real terms.
What’s New In 2025?
10,000 completed applications target
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially stated that it will intend to accept up to 10,000 complete sponsorship applications through this stream in the 2025 intake of the PGP.
That is, not 10,000 invitations, but 10,000 complete applications received. Since invitations and completions are historically different, this implies that there will be more than 10,000 invitations in order to accommodate some attrition. For instance, some immigration news sources estimate that around 17,860 invitations were issued.
Invitations to apply begin July 28, 2025
IRCC confirmed that invitations (ITAs – Invitations To Apply) will begin being sent on July 28, 2025, and will continue for approximately two weeks. The number of invitations issued will be higher than 10,000 to account for expected attrition (e.g., withdrawals or refusals). Industry sources estimate that around 17,860 invitations may be issued, although this is an estimate.
Importantly, this year’s invitations are drawn only from the pool of “Interest to Sponsor” forms submitted in 2020. IRCC is not opening a new intake of interest‑to‑sponsor forms in 2025.
Eligibility pool restricted to 2020 entries
To be eligible for the 2025 intake, you must have submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 and still be waiting for an invitation. If you did not submit in 2020 (or you submitted later and remained uninvited), you will not be part of the 2025 draw.
IRCC cites the backlog of forms as a reason for drawing from the 2020 pool and pausing new forms this year.
Processing times remain long
As of February 5, 2025, the published processing time for PGP applications destined outside Quebec was approximately 24 months; for applications to Quebec, processing time may be around 48 months due to Quebec’s separate admission targets.
Alternative for those not invited: the Super Visa
If you or your parents/grandparents are not invited under PGP this year, another viable option is the Super Visa Program. It is a long-term visitor visa that permits a stay of up to 5 years at once with several entries within a validity of 10 years. Although it does not directly result in permanent residence, it provides an important route towards spending significant time together in Canada.
Why The Changes?
Several broader factors underpin the 2025 PGP update:
- The backlog of interest‑to‑sponsor forms from 2020 still remains high, so IRCC is prioritizing clearing that pool.
- Canada’s overall Immigration Levels Plan for 2025‑2027 calls for more calibration of permanent resident numbers (including family‑sponsored categories), meaning fewer new “open intake” rounds across all family‑reunification classes.
- IRCC’s operational capacity, settlement infrastructure, housing, and labour‑market pressures mean the agency is balancing intake volumes with integration capacity.
What Does This Mean For You?
If you *did* submit an interest‑to‑sponsor in 2020
- Be sure to check your email account (including spam and junk folders) for an invitation starting July 28. IRCC uses the email you provided in 2020
- If you receive an invitation, you must submit the complete sponsorship application and the accompanying permanent residence application for your parent(s)/grandparent(s) by the deadline specified in the invitation (standard is via the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Portal)
- Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria (age, status, residence, income – Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the last 3 tax years, and undertaking obligations). Sponsors outside Quebec face a 20‑year undertaking; in Quebec, 10 years
- Document readiness is key: support letters, tax assessments, income proof, etc., should be gathered in advance
If you did not submit in 2020
- You are not going to be able to enter the 2025 draw of PGP since interest pools are not open to new entrants this year
- As a bridge till the next round of PGP, consider the Super Visa as a family reunification plan
- Plan ahead; monitor the timing of IRCC opening new rounds of interest-to-sponsor in the coming years, have your profile up to date and prepare
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I still submit an interest‑to‑sponsor form in 2025 for my parents/grandparents?
No, for the 2025 intake, IRCC is not opening new interest‑to‑sponsor forms. They are simply tapping into the 2020 pool.
Q2: What is the number of sponsored applications that will be received in 2025?
The 2025 PGP intake (not the number of invites) is expected to receive up to 10,000 completed applications.
Q3: When I get an invitation, what is the duration within which I should apply?
After an invitation, you are required to file the entire application before the defined deadline in the said invitation (usually via PR Portal). Late submission of the same can result in loss of the invitation.
Q4: My parents/grandparents are already in Canada on visitor status. Can I switch them to PGP?
Yes, in principle, if they meet eligibility, the permanent residence application can be completed. But they must meet admissibility requirements (medical, criminal, and financial). The fact that they are visiting doesn’t automatically give eligibility. Consult us to assess the specifics of their situation.
Q5: What happens if my parents/grandparents don’t get in through PGP?
They can still apply for the Super Visa, which allows longer visits (up to 5 years at a time, multiple entries for up to 10 years). It’s not permanent residence, but it remains a solid alternative while waiting for future PGP rounds.
How Kurzfeld Law Firm Can Help
Navigating the 2025 PGP requires both strategic preparation and timely action. At Kurzfeld Law Firm, we provide:
- Eligibility assessments for sponsors and sponsored family members
- Guidance on income‑verification, documentation and deadlines
- Checking invitation eligibility and responding appropriately
- Advice on alternative pathways (like the Super Visa) if PGP isn’t available
- Ongoing updates as IRCC releases new guidance or portals open
Conclusion
The 2025 PGP is a valuable chance to reunite families, but with fewer opportunities and more concentration on clearing the current backlogs, as opposed to opening broadly. In case you have filled out an interest form in 2020, it is time to take action: make sure to check your mailbox, prepare the documents, and be prepared to act in case you are invited. If you didn’t submit in 2020, don’t lose hope; instead, consider alternative options, prepare for future rounds and make sure you’re positioned for when they open.
It is not only emotionally but also logistically important to reunite with parents or grandparents. Kurzfeld Law Firm can take you step by step through the process, make things clear and make your application as compelling as possible.
Call us now, and we will carry out a personal analysis of your eligibility for PGP or any other family-reunion visa program. Together, we can get your family closer.
