On July 15, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it was pausing the intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). The announcement confirmed that IRCC would continue processing applications already in the system and planned to admit up to 15,000 people through the program in 2026. However, no new applications would be accepted until further notice.
For the tens of thousands of Canadian citizens and permanent residents hoping to reunite with their parents or grandparents through immigration, this pause creates real uncertainty. At the same time, it has prompted a wave of questions from families about how the broader family sponsorship system works, which programs remain open, and what steps applicants should take right now.
This article explains the PGP pause in context, clarifies which family sponsorship streams are still accepting applications, and outlines what current and prospective applicants should be doing in the meantime.
What Is the Parents and Grandparents Program and Why Has It Been Paused?
The Parents and Grandparents Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence. It is one of the most in-demand family sponsorship pathways in Canada, routinely attracting far more expressions of interest than the available spaces.
IRCC has not released a detailed explanation for the July 2026 pause beyond confirming that the intake of new applications has been suspended. The pause is consistent with a pattern seen in previous years, where the program periodically closes to new applications in response to high demand and processing backlogs. Applications that were already submitted before the pause announcement continue to be processed, and IRCC has confirmed that it plans to admit up to 15,000 people through the program in 2026.
For families who were preparing to submit a PGP application, the pause means they will need to wait for IRCC to reopen the intake before they can apply. IRCC typically announces reopening dates with relatively short notice, and eligible sponsors are encouraged to monitor the IRCC website closely.
Key point: The PGP pause does not affect applications already in processing. If you submitted a PGP application before July 15, 2026, your application is still being reviewed. The pause only prevents new applications from being submitted.
Canada’s Family Sponsorship System: Which Programs Remain Open?
It is important to understand that the PGP pause applies only to the Parents and Grandparents Program. Canada’s broader family sponsorship system includes several distinct pathways, most of which remain fully operational.
Spouses and Common-Law Partners
Canada’s spousal and common-law partner sponsorship stream is the largest family sponsorship pathway in the country, and it continues to accept applications from both inside and outside Canada. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor a spouse or common-law partner for permanent residence regardless of where the sponsored person is currently living.
A common-law partner is defined under Canadian immigration law as someone who has cohabited with the sponsor in a conjugal relationship for at least one year. This is a strict legal definition that requires actual cohabitation, not merely a committed relationship conducted at a distance. Common-law couples must demonstrate their relationship through documentation covering the full cohabitation period, including evidence of a shared address, financial interdependence, and social recognition of the relationship.
Both inland applications, where the sponsored partner is already in Canada, and outland applications, where the sponsored partner is living abroad, are currently being accepted. Processing times vary significantly between the two streams, and that gap has widened in recent months.
Conjugal Partners
Conjugal partner sponsorship is a pathway for couples who are in a genuine committed relationship but have been unable to cohabit for at least one year due to circumstances beyond their control, such as immigration restrictions or legal barriers in their home country. This stream is available and accepting applications, though it is significantly less common than spousal or common-law partner sponsorship and requires a high evidentiary threshold.
Dependent Children
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can also sponsor dependent children for permanent residence. This stream remains open and is typically processed more quickly than other family sponsorship pathways.
Parents and Grandparents
As noted above, this is the only family sponsorship stream currently paused for new applications. Families hoping to sponsor parents or grandparents will need to wait for IRCC to reopen the program.
Spousal and Common-Law Sponsorship Processing Times Are Rising
While the programs remain open, families considering spousal or common-law partner sponsorship should be aware that processing times have been increasing. IRCC’s July 2026 processing-time update reported the following figures:
- Spouse or common-law partner living inside Canada (inland): 27 months, up from 26 months.
- Spouse or common-law partner living outside Canada (outland): 17 months, up from 16 months.
These figures represent the time IRCC estimates it takes to process applications from the date of submission to a final decision. They are estimates, not guarantees, and individual processing times will vary based on the complexity of the application, the completeness of documentation, and other factors.
The gap between inland and outland processing times is significant. An outland applicant living abroad typically waits approximately ten months less than an inland applicant living in Canada. This does not automatically make outland sponsorship the better option, since the choice between inland and outland involves other considerations including travel restrictions, the sponsored partner’s current immigration status, and the practical implications of living apart during processing.
Processing times are estimates, not timelines. If your application is complete and well-documented, it may be processed faster than the published estimate. Delays are more likely when applications are incomplete, when documentation is missing, or when IRCC requires additional information.
What the PGP Pause Means for the Broader Family Reunification System
The PGP pause reflects a broader tension in Canada’s immigration system between high demand for family reunification and the capacity constraints of IRCC’s processing infrastructure. Canada’s 2026 immigration levels plan allocates approximately 22 percent of total permanent resident admissions to the Family Class, and family sponsorship welcomed approximately 96,100 permanent residents in 2025.
Within that broader picture, spousal and common-law partner sponsorship consistently accounts for the largest share of Family Class admissions. The program’s ongoing availability, even as the PGP intake is paused, reflects the government’s continued commitment to reuniting couples.
However, the rising processing times for spousal and common-law applications suggest that demand continues to outpace processing capacity. For applicants currently in the system, this makes the quality and completeness of their application more important than ever. Applications that are missing documents, contain inconsistencies, or fail to adequately demonstrate the genuineness of the relationship are more likely to generate requests for additional information, which extend processing times further.
What Common-Law Applicants Need to Know
Common-law partner sponsorship Canada follows the same general pathway as spousal sponsorship but requires more preparation because there is no single government-issued document that proves the relationship. Unlike a marriage certificate, a common-law partnership must be established through a body of evidence collected over time.
IRCC officers reviewing common-law applications look for consistent, corroborating proof across multiple categories. These include:
- Proof of shared address: joint leases, mortgage agreements, utility bills, and government correspondence showing both partners at the same address throughout the cohabitation period.
- Financial interdependence: joint bank accounts, shared expenses, beneficiary designations, and evidence of combined household finances.
- Evidence of duration and continuity: dated photographs, communication records during periods of separation, and travel records demonstrating the ongoing nature of the relationship.
- Social recognition: statutory declarations from friends, family members, neighbours, or colleagues who can attest to the couple’s shared life.
- Identity and status documents: valid passports, birth certificates, and documentation showing any prior relationships have ended.
One of the most common mistakes in common-law applications is submitting evidence that covers only recent months rather than the full claimed cohabitation period. If a couple claims to have lived together for two years, the documentation must span those two years. Gaps in the documentary record raise questions about whether cohabitation was truly continuous.
Common-law couples who spent periods apart due to work, travel, or immigration restrictions should carefully document those separations and explain clearly why they were temporary. Communication records, travel documents, and evidence of steps taken to reunite are all relevant.
The Federal Court Case That Highlights the Stakes of Sponsorship Delays
While processing times are a known part of the sponsorship experience, a June 2026 Federal Court decision brought attention to what can happen when delays become extreme. In Alnuaimi v. Canada, the Federal Court ordered IRCC to finalize a spousal sponsorship application that had been pending for nearly seven years. The Court found the delay unreasonable and rejected the argument that a generic reference to security screening was sufficient justification for such a prolonged delay.
The case is a reminder that while processing time estimates reflect typical scenarios, some applications encounter complications that extend the timeline significantly. Security screening, incomplete documentation, and requests for additional information can all cause delays beyond published estimates. Applicants who understand the requirements and submit complete, well-organized applications are in the best position to avoid those complications.
What Families Should Do Right Now
If You Were Planning to Apply Under the PGP
Monitor the IRCC website for updates on when the program will reopen. IRCC typically announces reopening with limited advance notice, so it is important to have your documentation ready before the intake reopens rather than starting to gather it afterward. Use the pause period to collect the required documents, verify that both the sponsor and sponsored person meet the eligibility requirements, and ensure that the sponsor meets the minimum necessary income threshold.
Sponsors should also confirm that they meet the minimum necessary income (MNI) requirement, which is adjusted annually and varies based on family size. Failing to meet the MNI threshold at the time of application is one of the most common reasons PGP applications are refused, and a pause in intake is a useful opportunity to check this requirement and plan accordingly if your income situation is likely to change.
If You Are Sponsoring a Spouse or Common-Law Partner
Both inland and outland applications are currently being accepted. If you are ready to apply, submitting a complete and well-organized application is the most effective thing you can do to minimize your processing time. Review the documentation requirements carefully, gather evidence across all the categories IRCC looks for, and make sure the application is internally consistent before submission.
For common-law couples in particular, the evidentiary burden is higher than many applicants expect. Officers look for proof that spans the entire cohabitation period, not just a recent snapshot. Couples who have been living together for several years should gather documentation going back to the start of their cohabitation, organized clearly by time period and category. Statutory declarations from people who have witnessed the couple’s shared life are especially valuable because they provide third-party corroboration that purely documentary evidence cannot.
If you have already submitted an application and are waiting for a decision, the most important thing you can do is respond promptly to any requests for additional information. A request for additional information does not mean your application will be refused, but a slow or incomplete response can significantly extend your wait.
If You Are Unsure Which Pathway Applies to Your Situation
Canada’s family sponsorship system is more complex than it first appears, and choosing the wrong pathway or submitting an application before you are fully prepared can cost you months of processing time. Couples should carefully assess their eligibility before applying, particularly if there are complications such as a previous marriage, periods of separation, or complex immigration history on either side.
When to Seek Professional Immigration Guidance
Not every immigration application requires professional assistance. Many straightforward applications are successfully completed by applicants who research the requirements carefully and prepare their documentation thoroughly.
However, there are situations where professional guidance can make a meaningful difference. These include applications where one or both partners have a complex immigration history, situations involving a prior marriage or common-law relationship that must be documented as having ended, cases where the couple spent significant periods apart and must explain the continuity of their relationship, and applications that have already received a request for additional information or a procedural fairness letter from IRCC.
Working with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or a licensed immigration lawyer gives applicants access to professional guidance on which stream applies to their situation, how to organize their evidence package, and how to respond if IRCC raises questions during processing. For families navigating the sponsorship system for the first time, speaking with a qualified immigration consultant in Canada before submitting can help identify gaps in the application that might otherwise cause delays or lead to a refusal.
Only Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and licensed immigration lawyers are authorized to provide immigration advice for a fee in Canada. When seeking professional help, verify that the person you are working with is listed on the RCIC register maintained by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada still accepting spousal and common-law partner sponsorship applications?
Yes. Both inland and outland applications for spousal and common-law partner sponsorship continue to be accepted. The PGP pause does not affect these programs.
Will the PGP pause affect people already in the processing queue?
No. Applications submitted before the July 15, 2026 pause announcement continue to be processed. IRCC has confirmed that it plans to admit up to 15,000 people through the PGP in 2026.
How long does spousal sponsorship processing take right now?
As of July 2026, IRCC estimates 27 months for inland applications and 17 months for outland applications. These are estimates and can vary based on the complexity of the application.
Does a common-law partner qualify for family sponsorship?
Yes. Common-law partners are recognized under Canadian immigration law as members of the Family Class. The key requirement is that the couple has cohabited in a conjugal relationship for at least one year. Common-law applications require more extensive documentation than spousal applications because there is no marriage certificate to anchor the file.
What happens if IRCC sends a request for additional information?
A request for additional information, sometimes called a procedural fairness letter, means IRCC has questions about your application. You must respond within the specified timeframe. Failing to respond, or responding inadequately, can result in a refusal. If you receive one of these letters, consider seeking professional advice on how to respond effectively.
Final Thoughts
The PGP pause is a significant development for families hoping to reunite with parents and grandparents through the Canadian immigration system. For those families, the pause means waiting and watching for the intake to reopen while using the time to prepare documentation and verify eligibility.
For couples navigating spousal and common-law partner sponsorship, the programs remain open. Rising processing times make preparation and documentation quality more important than ever. Applicants who take the time to build a complete, well-organized application file give themselves the best possible chance of a smooth process.
Canada’s family reunification system is one of the most document-intensive areas of immigration. Whether you are sponsoring a spouse, a common-law partner, or a parent, understanding the requirements before you apply is the most effective way to protect the timeline you are counting on.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, or professional advice. Immigration policies, processing times, and program availability are subject to change without notice. Readers should verify all details directly with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or licensed immigration lawyer. The author and publisher disclaim all liability for any decisions or outcomes arising from reliance on this content. This article does not guarantee admission, approval, or specific processing timelines.
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