Private Sponsorship of Refugee Program

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Private Sponsorship of Refugee Program

Private sponsorship groups such as Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs), Constituent Groups (CGs), Groups of Five (G5) and Community Sponsors (CSs) may sponsor refugees and persons in refugee-like situations from outside Canada under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees program. Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) include incorporated organizations that have signed a formal sponsorship agreement with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Constituent Groups (CGs) include groups which have been authorized by Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAH) to sponsor refugees and persons in refugee-like situations under their agreement. Groups of Five (G5) include groups of five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are:

At least 18 years of age
Live in the expected community of settlement in Canada
Have collectively arranged for the sponsorship of the refugees living abroad.

Community Sponsors (CSs) include any organization, association or corporation located in the community where the refugees are expected to settle can make an organizational commitment to sponsor.

How Does It Work?

Through the PSR Program, sponsors agree to provide financial support and settlement assistance to refugees for the first 12 months after arrival in Canada. This includes housing, food, clothing, and help integrating into Canadian society. Sponsors can be Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs), Groups of Five (G5), or Community Sponsors. The refugee must meet Canada’s refugee definition and be outside their country of origin.

What Are the Requirements?

To participate, sponsors must:

Be a Canadian citizen, a person registered in Canada as an Indian under Canadian Indian Act or a Permanent Resident
Commit to providing financial and emotional support.
Submit a sponsorship application, including a settlement plan.
Ensure the refugee meets the refugee eligibility and admissibility criteria set by IRCC.

The refugee must not already be a citizen or permanent resident of another safe country and must be identified as needing resettlement.

Benefits

Provides refugees with a safe, legal pathway to rebuild their lives in Canada.
Encourages community involvement and compassion.
Helps refugees integrate faster with personal support from sponsors.
Enhances Canada’s humanitarian reputation globally.
Offers sponsors the fulfilling experience of making a direct difference in someone’s life.

The PSR Program is a model of successful refugee resettlement, driven by private citizens’ generosity and commitment.