Refugee Sponsorship

The Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program allows Canadians and permanent residents to provide a safe haven for those in need of international protection. By coming together as a group, you can provide the essential financial, emotional, and settlement support required to help a refugee family rebuild their lives in Canada. This life-changing program fosters deep community bonds and offers a direct, humanitarian way to welcome newcomers seeking a peaceful future. We offer expert guidance to ensure your sponsorship group meets all federal requirements and settlement milestones.

Refugee
SPONSORSHIP
2026

Avg. Processing

Variable Timelines

Based on global region and case complexity.

Refugee sponsorship is a dedicated legal pathway that allows Canadian citizens and established groups to provide a safe future for those in need of international protection. Unlike other immigration streams, this is driven entirely by community compassion and commitment. You do not need an employer; you need a dedicated group ready to help. Three primary categories can facilitate this: Groups of Five (five or more Canadians or PRs), Community Sponsors (local organizations), and Sponsorship Agreement Holders. By sponsoring, your group takes on the responsibility of providing essential financial and emotional settlement support for the family’s first year in Canada, ensuring a successful transition into their new community.

Three primary legal pathways allow Canadians to sponsor refugees for resettlement.
Eligibility depends on your group’s ability to provide financial and settlement support.

Three primary legal pathways allow Canadians to sponsor refugees for resettlement.Eligibility depends on your group’s ability to provide financial and settlement support.

Sponsorship of Refugees

PSR Program

For Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) and their Constituent Groups to sponsor refugees abroad. Provides full financial and settlement support for 12 months.

Best for: Faith-based organizations, ethnocultural groups, NGOs

Group of Five Sponsorship

G5 Program

Five or more Canadian citizens or PRs in the same community can sponsor a refugee abroad with recognized refugee status. Full financial responsibility for one year.

Best for: Family, friends, and community members reuniting refugees

Blended Visa Office-Referred

BVOR Program

A shared sponsorship model where the Government of Canada and private sponsors split the cost. UNHCR-referred refugees receive 6 months of government income support plus 6 months of sponsor support.

Best for: First-time sponsors, smaller community groups

The complete Refugee Sponsorship journey, broken down into actionable community milestones.

Form Your Sponsorship Group

Mobilize a "Group of Five," Community Sponsor, or connect with a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH).

1–2 weeks

Develop the Settlement Plan

Outline detailed financial, housing, and social support for the refugee's first 12 months in Canada.

2–4 weeks

Commitment of Funds

Ensure required funds are held in trust to meet federal sponsorship cost table requirements.

Ongoing Prep

Submit Undertaking to IRCC

Lodge the formal sponsorship application and Undertaking (IMM 5373) for federal assessment.

Processing Varies

Overseas Processing

Refugee applicants undergo interviews, security checks, and medical exams at a Canadian visa office abroad.

Global Region Dependent

Arrival & Housing Activation

Secure a safe residence and prepare for the family’s arrival based on the NAT (Notice of Arrival Transmission).

1–4 weeks

Active Settlement Support

The group provides intensive support for the first year, assisting with schooling, healthcare, and job searches.

12-Month Commitment

Sponsorship eligibility is assessed based on factors such as your group’s legal status in Canada, financial capacity and the submission of a comprehensive settlement plan that meets IRCC standards.

Sponsorship eligibility is assessed based on factors such as your group’s legal status in Canada, financial capacity
& the submission of a comprehensive settlement plan that meets IRCC standards.

Step 1

Sponsor Eligibility

Groups of five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor a refugee family. Sponsors must live in the community of settlement and commit to providing financial and emotional support for the duration of the sponsorship period.

5+ Required group members

Step 2

Refugee Status

To be eligible for sponsorship, the applicant must be recognized as a refugee by either the UNHCR or a foreign state. They must currently be living outside of their home country and demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution based on specific criteria.

RSD Status document needed

Step 3

Settlement Funding

Sponsorship groups must prove they have sufficient funds held in trust to cover the costs of housing, food, and basic necessities. These rates are determined by the federal sponsorship cost table and vary based on the size of the family being sponsored.

12 mo Financial support period

Step 4

Security & Medical

Every sponsored refugee must undergo rigorous security screening and a comprehensive medical examination by an IRCC-approved physician. This ensures all safety and health standards are met prior to the issuance of a permanent resident visa.

100% Clearance requirement

Strategic steps to begin your journey toward sponsoring a refugee for resettlement in Canada.
Before you start the application, ensure your sponsorship group meets the essential criteria
across legal status, financial capacity, and settlement planning.

Strategic steps to begin your journey toward sponsoring a refugee for resettlement in Canada. Before you start the application, ensure your sponsorship group meets the essential criteria across legal status, financial capacity & settlement planning.

Requirement 01

Sponsor Eligibility

Sponsors must be Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents aged 18+. Whether acting as a Group of Five or a Community Sponsor, the group must reside within the same community where the refugee intends to settle.

Citizens or PRs 18+ Years Old

Requirement 02

Financial Capacity

Sponsoring groups must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support the refugee family for the duration of the sponsorship (usually 12 months). Funds must cover housing, food, and startup costs.

12 Months Support Trust Fund Required

Humanitarian Path

Providing Safety and a New Start in Canada

Requirement 03

Refugee Status

The applicant must be recognized as a refugee by the UNHCR or a foreign state. They must be outside of their country of origin and unable to return due to a well-founded fear of persecution.

UNHCR Recognized Outside Home Country

Requirement 04

Settlement Plan

A detailed settlement plan is required, outlining how the group will provide emotional and social integration support, including assistance with language classes, schooling, and healthcare.

Social Integration Healthcare Access

Immigration frameworks are in a state of constant flux. What was standard last year
is often obsolete today. We provide the technical oversight and regulatory intelligence
required to navigate these shifts with absolute certainty.

Immigration frameworks are in a state of constant flux. What was standard last year is often obsolete today. We provide the technical oversight and regulatory intelligence required to navigate these shifts with absolute certainty.