Shortly after Canada’s immigration pilot programs for care workers began accepting permanent residence applications, the system crashed. The frustration is real. The highly anticipated programs, designed to provide a pathway to permanent residence for foreign care workers already in Canada, quickly descended into chaos. With limited spots available, applications opened at 10 am ET on Monday March 31, 2025. However, as soon as the Immigration Department’s application portal was activated, it became unresponsive. “As soon as it hit 10 a.m. Eastern time, the system crashed,” said applicants who spent two hours attempting to upload their files, describing the situation as “mayhem.” Some were unable to log in at all, while others were repeatedly kicked out. Many found themselves stuck refreshing their browsers, hoping for a chance to submit their applications. By the afternoon of March 31, 2025—the same day applications opened—the Home Child Care Provider Pilot: Caregiver Class (HCWP:CC) had already reached its cap for online applications. However, alternative formats, such as paper, braille, and large-print applications, were still being accepted. Typically, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires applicants to apply via the online permanent residence portal. Alternative formats are only available for those who cannot apply online due to specific accessibility needs.  This year’s application cap was 2,750, with 150 spots reserved for out-of-status workers. The federal government is expected to reopen the pilot next year. So far, only the stream for applicants currently working in Canada has opened. As of now, the government has not announced when the stream for applicants not working in Canada will begin. Like most federal immigration pilot programs, the HCWP:CC is scheduled to run for five years. Critics argue that the chaos was entirely predictable and question why the Immigration Department did not implement a lottery system. Such a system, they say, would have allowed applicants more time to properly submit their applications before being randomly selected from the pool.

Canada to Accept 10,000 Parents and Grandparents Program Applications in 2025 The Canadian government has announced its plans to accept up to 10,000 new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) in 2025 . In total, 25,000 applications are expected to be processed, combining new submissions and those carried over from previous years. PGP Application Process for 2025 The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will continue selecting sponsors from the existing pool of interest-to-sponsor forms submitted in 2020. This means that no new interest-to-sponsor forms will be accepted in 2025. Instead, IRCC will invite individuals who previously submitted their interest to apply and give them a specific timeframe to complete and submit their sponsorship applications. Processing Times and Requirements Processing times for the Parents and Grandparents Program applications vary: Outside Quebec : Approximately 24 months Canada's PGP Immigration Targets According to the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada plans to welcome the following number of new permanent residents under the PGP: 24,500 in 2025 21,500 in 2026 20,000 in 2027 In 2024, Canada welcomed 27,290 new permanent residents through the PGP. Super Visa: An Alternative Option For those not selected under the PGP, Canada offers the Super Visa as an alternative. This visa allows parents and grandparents to:  Stay in Canada for up to five years per visit Apply for extensions of up to two additional years Make multiple visits over a ten-year period The Super Visa is an attractive option as it provides long-term visits without requiring sponsors to meet the same financial obligations as under the PGP. Eligibility to Sponsor Under PGP To qualify as a sponsor for the Parents and Grandparents Program , applicants must meet the following requirements: Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident Be 18 years or older Reside in Canada Meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement for the past three tax years Agree to provide financial support for the sponsored parent(s) or grandparent(s) for 20 years How many PGP applications will be accepted in 2025? Canada will accept up to 25,000 PGP sponsorship applications for processing in 2025. This includes leftover applications from 2024 and 10,000 new applications submitted in 2025. Can I apply if I did not submit an interest-to-sponsor form in 2020? No. IRCC is only selecting sponsors from the 2020 interest-to-sponsor pool. If you didn’t submit a form in 2020, you cannot be considered for the 2025 intake. How long does it take to process a PGP application? PGP applications take about 24 months to process outside Quebec and about 48 months for applicants going to Quebec. Times may vary depending on volume and completeness. What is the Super Visa and who can apply? The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years per visit and re-enter multiple times for up to 10 years. It’s a good option for those not selected in the PGP. What are the income requirements to sponsor under PGP? Sponsors must meet the MNI for the past three tax years. Income levels vary depending on family size and are published annually by IRCC. Co-signers are allowed. Conclusion With a limited number of invitations being issued under the PGP 2025, many applicants will need to explore alternative options like the Super Visa. The government’s continued reliance on the 2020 interest-to-sponsor pool means that those who have not previously submitted an expression of interest will not have an opportunity to apply under this program. For individuals looking to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada, it is essential to stay informed about available pathways and prepare for upcoming sponsorship opportunities.