Nothing checked off yet

First visit? Here's how the map works.

Steps run in order. A dashed step is blocked: something before it has to be finished first.

Check a step off when it's done. Whatever it was blocking unlocks by itself.

Some steps are IRCC's to make, not yours. Those show as waiting and can't be checked off.

Start with step 1: Check you can be a sponsor

Family sponsorshipCheck you can sponsorStep · of 9

BlockedOptionalYou are here

·. Parents and grandparents: paused

IRCC paused this program on 15 July 2026.

Waiting on: Check who you can sponsor

Open this step

The rest of the pathway, folded up

This view fits the whole pathway on one screen: the step you're on is enlarged, its neighbours are shown small, and everything further out is folded into a summary bar you can open. The idea is borrowed from degree-of-interest trees (Card and Nation, 2002).

Times and fees on this page are rough and change without notice. Check canada.ca before you pay for anything or make a plan around a date.

Step · of 9 · OptionalClose

Parents and grandparents: paused

BlockedOptional

The authority on this stepSponsor your parents and grandparentscanada.ca · Government of Canada

IRCC is the only authority here. Our summary is here to help you find your way. If anything below differs from the official page, the official page is right. Requirements, fees and processing times change without notice.

Our plain-language summaryLast reviewed 29 July 2026

IRCC paused this program on 15 July 2026. No new interest-to-sponsor forms are being accepted and no new invitations are being issued. Applications already submitted are still being processed.

Why it's required: The alternative IRCC points to is the super visa, which lets parents and grandparents stay five years at a time and be extended by two years from within Canada. It is a visit, not permanent residence.

StatusPausedSince 15 July 2026, with no restart date announced.

Super visa5 years at a timeExtendable by two years from inside Canada. A visit, not PR.

Before this step

BlockedCheck who you can sponsor

This is the last step of the pathway.