CANADA VIBES NEWSROOM · ÉDITION DU MATIN | MORNING EDITION
Saturday, July 18, 2026 · 7:00 AM ET

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed it will not accept new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship program for the remainder of 2026, as citizenship processing times continue to lengthen.

The federal government confirmed on July 15 that no new applications will be accepted under the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship program through the end of 2026.

The latest processing data show citizenship certificate wait times reaching a record 19 months, while citizenship grant processing improved for the first time in months, dropping to 12 months.

Parents and grandparents sponsorship outside Quebec posted the strongest family-class improvement, now at 30 months — two months faster than the June update.

Four Express Entry draws held July 6-10 issued a combined 8,034 invitations for permanent residence, the largest weekly total this year, led by a 5,000-invitation French-language proficiency draw.

New regulations governing the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants took effect July 15, strengthening oversight with higher financial penalties and a new compensation fund for victims of consultant fraud.

Ottawa also announced a new initiative to support Francophone immigration in the Northwest Territories.

What to watch

• Whether Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship reopens in 2027.
• Continued movement in citizenship processing times, especially for certificates.
• Upcoming Express Entry draws and their eligibility criteria.

Sources: CIC News, Immigration News Canada