Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship

Speed: Extended

~34 months

Updated 2 weeks ago (April 7, 2026)

People in Queue

~44,900

About 44,900 people waiting

Processing Time Trend

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Frequently Asked Questions

Parents and Grandparents Program processing times are typically longer than other family sponsorship categories, often taking over a year. The initial step is being selected from the interest to sponsor pool.

The PGP has limited spaces each year, creating a large backlog. IRCC must verify income requirements over multiple years, conduct medical exams for older applicants, and complete thorough background checks.

Yes. A Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to 5 years at a time without going through the lengthy PGP process. However, it does not grant permanent residence.

Processing times tracked from official IRCC data. Historical trends and analysis by Northy. View on IRCC (opens in new tab)