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IRCC Policy

IRCC Policy Update — September 24, 2026

Thursday, September 24, 2026


Canada's 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan reduces temporary resident arrival targets while stabilizing permanent resident admissions, with economic immigration rising to 64% of all immigration in 2027–2028 — the highest share in decades.

As of September 10, 2026, IRCC has paused new applications to the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) indefinitely, citing a large existing inventory and reduced overall immigration targets; IRCC still plans to approve up to 15,000 PGP applicants in 2026 from existing applications.

Eight immigration changes took effect March 31–April 1, 2026, including higher passport fees (adult 10-year passport now $163.50), a new 30-business-day passport processing guarantee with automatic refunds for delays, and more flexible income requirements for super visa sponsors of parents and grandparents.

What You Should Do

  • If you intended to sponsor a parent or grandparent through the PGP: Do NOT submit a new interest-to-sponsor form — IRCC is not accepting new forms as of September 10, 2026. Monitor IRCC's official notices page at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices.html for any announcement of when intake will resume.
  • If you have a PGP application already submitted: Check your application status at ircc.canada.ca to confirm it is still being actively processed. No action is required to keep your existing application in queue.
  • If you need to reunite with parents or grandparents now: Consider the Super Visa as an alternative. Note that as of April 1, 2026, income requirements for super visa sponsors are more flexible — review the updated criteria at canada.ca and apply via your IRCC account.
  • If you are applying for or renewing a Canadian passport: Be aware that fees increased as of March 31, 2026 (adult 10-year passport: $163.50 from within Canada). Submit a complete application to qualify for the 30-business-day processing guarantee — if processing exceeds 30 business days from receipt of a complete application, you are entitled to a full fee refund automatically.
  • If you are planning permanent immigration to Canada: Review the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/corporate-initiatives/levels.html to understand how economic immigration is being prioritized, and assess whether your profile aligns with labour market needs that will be favoured.

Topics Covered

Parents and Grandparents Program Regional Disparities: IRCC paused all new PGP applications effective September 10, 2026, with no announced reopening date, while continuing to process the existing backlog with a 2026 approval target of 15,000.

2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: Canada's 2026–2028 plan reduces temporary resident targets and shifts the immigration mix so that economic permanent residents make up 64% of all admissions in 2027–2028, the highest proportion in decades.

Service Fee Adjustments: Passport fees increased for the first time since 2013 as of March 31, 2026, with a new 30-business-day processing guarantee and automatic refunds for delays taking effect April 1, 2026.


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