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The Canadian federal government is suspending all new applications for the family reunification program for parents and grandparents this year. According to the Ministry of Immigration, this move aims to manage the system responsibly as demand continues to exceed available spots.
Did You Know? The program launched in 2020, at which time more than 200,000 permanent residents and Canadian citizens expressed interest in sponsoring a parent or grandparent.
Processing Backlogs and Wait Times
The Ministry of Immigration is currently processing 60,500 applications. National wait times average approximately 33 months, though delays in Quebec can reach up to 66 months.
As of April 30, the department held over 2.1 million total applications across all categories. Public government data shows that more than 922,000 of these are considered overdue, meaning they have exceeded established service standards.
Fewer than half of all permanent residence applications have been processed within the ministry’s predicted timeframes. Between January and April of this year, 112,900 people obtained permanent resident status through various programs.
Immigration Level Plans for 2026-2028
A ministry official stated that the suspension will not alter the government’s plan to approve up to 15,000 permanent residence applications in 2026 and 2027. This is part of a broader immigration levels plan published last autumn.
The plan targets an admission of 380,000 permanent residents annually between 2026 and 2028. It also includes a mandate to reduce the number of student and temporary work visas issued in 2026 by nearly half compared to 2025 levels.
Government projections suggest this revised strategy will keep demographic growth stable for the second consecutive year.
Political Pressure and Public Sentiment
Immigration has become a volatile political issue. Federal Conservatives claim the system is failing and argue that Liberal policies have damaged the long-standing consensus that immigration benefits Canada.
Internal government briefing documents from 2025 for Immigration Minister Lena Diab show a sharp decline in public support. Polls conducted by the government revealed that support for immigration in 2023 and 2024 dropped to the lowest levels seen in 30 years.
In November 2024, more than half of Canadians polled by the ministry believed too many immigrants were entering the country. Minister Diab stated in a May social media video that the government is working to restore “control and viability” to the system.
Asylum Law Changes and Alternative Visas
In March, the government under Prime Minister Mark Carney passed a law tightening asylum eligibility. This legislation retroactively cancelled thousands of late applications and granted Ottawa the authority to cancel visas on a large scale.
While the permanent residency suspension remains in effect until further notice, the “super visa” remains available. This allows parents and grandparents to visit for up to five consecutive years and provides multiple entries into Canada for up to ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still bring my parents to Canada this year?
New applications for permanent residency under the family reunification program are not being accepted. However, citizens and permanent residents can still apply for a super visa for visits of up to five years.
How long is the wait for parent and grandparent sponsorship?
The national average wait time is approximately 33 months, but in Quebec, it can extend to 66 months.
What is the government’s target for permanent residents moving forward?
The government aims to admit 380,000 permanent residents per year between 2026 and 2028.
How do you feel about the balance between family reunification and the current capacity of the immigration system?