The Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program

Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) is a programme run by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canadian public to increase Canada & capacity to relocate refugees from other countries. Canada & PSR programme is one of a kind, allowing ordinary Canadians to play a vital role in the country & successful resettlement and integration of refugees.

Private sponsors are Canadian-based groups or organizations. They can be anything from religious or cultural organizations to settlement agencies. In one of three ways, they can provide support for refugees:

The Canadian government says that a Group of Five (G5) is made up of five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents who work together to sponsor an overseas refugee so that they can join their society.

Community sponsors are non-governmental organizations, trade groups, or for-profit businesses that operate in the area where refugees will be resettled and have the financial means and settlement resources to meet the requirements for sponsorship.

Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) are corporations that have an official agreement in place with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to handle sponsorships on their behalf. In addition to allowing individuals to sponsor refugees, SAHs can give permission for community groups to do so as well.

Our mandate requires us to prioritize the safety of women and children among the many refugee groups that seek asylum in Canada after fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries. Along with the organization co-sponsors, sponsoring groups, family and friends of refugees, and volunteers, we draw together pre-arrival settlement plans. This makes certain that sponsored migrants have access to material and psychological aid. Once newcomers arrive in Canada, our staff works alongside them to help them reach their full potential and integrate into Canadian culture.

Click on the following links for further reading on the subject of private sponsorship:

The IRCC Guide to Private Sponsorship: (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/guide-private-sponsorship-refugees-program.html)

Refugee Sponsorship Training Program: https://www.rstp.ca/en/Citizenship and Immigration Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html

Private Sponsorship: Get the Facts! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTNfeqbZlzo&t=84s

How Communities Sponsor Refugees: Canada’s Program https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKgWjxOjxyI&t=3s

Your Rights as a Privately Sponsored Refugee: https://www.rstp.ca/en/your-rights-as-a-privately-sponsored-refugee/

Government of Canada Publications: Order free “Welcome to Canada” books online for the newcomers you sponsor, with general information about life in Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugeescitizenship/corporate/publicationsmanuals/publication-welcome-canada-what-you-should-know.html

Settlement.Org: A centralized source for all settlement related information, including common questions, processes, resources and links. https://settlement.org/

Translated Settlement Information: Hundreds of articles about life in Ontario and referral resources for newcomers to Ontario in many languages. https://settlement.org/translated-information