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Sponsorship Options

There are three legal ways for refugees to come to Canada through Private Sponsorship:

1. Group of Five Sponsorship: This is a method where five individuals who hold Canadian citizenship or Permanent Resident status come together to sponsor a refugee.

Pre-requisite: The refugee must have a Refugee Status Recognition document issued by the UNHCR or the government of the country where they are currently located.

1. Community Sponsors: This is a method where community organizations or associations established to sponsor refugees bring them to Canada.

Pre-requisite: Just like the Group of Five, the refugee is required to have a Refugee Status Recognitiondocument.

1. Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs): These are organizations (usually religious institutions or humanitarian organizations) that have signed an agreement with Canadian Immigration to bring refugees

​Special Benefit: Refugees sponsored through this method can be sponsored even if they do not have a Refugee Status Document.

⚠️ Important Notice 

According to measures taken by the Canadian government to manage applications, the 'Group of Five' and 'Community Sponsors' programs are: Temporarily Paused until December 2025.

Currently, the only option that remains open and active is the Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) route."

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Eligibility Requirements

To bring refugees to Canada through sponsorship, both the sponsors and the refugees are expected to meet the following requirements:

1. For Sponsors Individuals or organizations:  sponsoring must meet the following:

• Legal Status: Must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident.

• Financial Capability: Must verify they have sufficient funds and a settlement budget to support the refugees for one year.

• Settlement Plan: Must submit a clear and practical plan showing how the refugees will establish themselves after entering Canada (this is mandatory for all types of sponsorship).

2. For Refugees: According to Canadian immigration law, persons being sponsored must fall under one of the following two refugee classes:

A. Convention Refugees Abroad Class: These are refugees who have left their country because they fear for their lives or safety due to:

• Race

• Religion

• Nationality/Ethnicity

• Political Opinion

• Membership in a particular social group

B. Country of Asylum Class: This category includes those who have fled due to the general situation in their country rather than personal persecution:

• Displaced due to war or armed conflict.

• Affected by massive human rights violations and violence.

⚠️ Critical Pre-requisite: 'Durable Solution'

Even if the refugee meets the above criteria, to be sponsored, they must prove the following additional points:

• Being Outside Country of Origin: The refugee must be outside their country of birth or habitual residence.

• No Durable Solution: The refugee must have no other option in their current situation. Specifically:

  • They cannot safely return to their home country.

  • They cannot obtain citizenship or live stably in their current host country.

  • They do not have the opportunity to move to another third country

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Common Reasons for Refusal

The following are common mistakes that cause Refugee Sponsorship applications to be Refused by the immigration office:

1. Financial Requirement Issues

• If the sponsors fail to meet the Minimum Necessary Income set by the Canadian government.

• Or, if they fail to secure/deposit the required amount of money needed for the refugee.

2. Forms and Documentation Errors

• Outdated Forms: Using old versions of forms, as the immigration office changes forms periodically.

• Incomplete Information: Not filling out forms correctly or failing to sign in the required signature boxes.

3. Family Eligibility Issues

• If the family members requested to come along are not considered valid 'family members' under Canadian law (Declaring ineligible family members).

• (Example: Presenting an overage child or a married child as a dependent).

4. Inadmissibility (Barriers to Entry): If the law prohibits the refugee from entering Canada for the following reasons:

• Criminality: If they have participated in serious crimes.

• Security: If they are believed to be a security threat to Canada.

• Medical: If they have a health condition that poses a risk to the Canadian public or places Excessive Demand on the Canadian healthcare system