Other Sponsorship of Refugee Program

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Other Sponsorship of Refugee Program

In addition to private sponsorship of refugee programs, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) also provides for the Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) Program, Other Visa Office-Referred (VOR) Program, Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) program, Urgent Protection Program (UPP) to sponsor refugees and persons in refugee-like situations from outside Canada.

How Does It Work?

In the BVOR Program, refugees are referred by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and matched with private sponsors in Canada. The government and sponsors share the financial and settlement responsibilities – usually, six months each. In the GAR Program, the Canadian government fully supports refugees for up to one year, covering accommodation, food, and other essentials through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP). Refugees under both programs receive orientation and integration support.

What Are the Requirements?

For BVOR, sponsors must be a Canadian citizen, a person registered in Canada as an Indian under Canadian Indian Act or a Permanent Resident commit to six months of support, and submit a sponsorship application.
For GAR, refugees must be referred by the UNHCR or another referral organization and pass Canadian immigration screening.
Refugees must meet Canada’s definition of a convention refugee or person in need of protection and pass security, medical, and admissibility checks.

Benefits

Provides vulnerable refugees with safety and support.
BVOR offers a shared responsibility model, easing financial pressure on private sponsors.
Refugees receive comprehensive support for resettlement and integration.
Strengthens Canada’s role as a global humanitarian leader.
Enables Canadians to contribute meaningfully to refugee protection and inclusion.

These programs reflect Canada’s ongoing commitment to refugee resettlement and global solidarity.