private-sponsorship🇨🇦 Canada
Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR): Complete Guide
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Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR)
Private Sponsorship of Refugees allows groups of Canadians to sponsor refugees for resettlement in Canada. The sponsoring group provides financial and settlement support for the refugee's first year.
Who Can Sponsor?
| Sponsor Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) | Organizations with formal agreements with IRCC (churches, ethnic organizations) |
| Groups of Five | 5+ Canadian citizens/PRs who commit to supporting a refugee |
| Community Sponsors | Organizations (businesses, associations) in the community |
Sponsor Obligations
| Obligation | Duration | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Financial support | 12 months | Cover food, housing, clothing, transportation, personal needs |
| Settlement support | 12 months | Help with orientation, language, employment, community integration |
| Emotional support | Ongoing | Friendship, mentoring, social connection |
| Total cost | Variable | Estimated $15,000–$30,000 per person for 12 months |
How It Works
- Form a sponsoring group — SAH, Group of Five, or Community Sponsor
- Identify a refugee — through UNHCR, personal connections, or referral
- Submit application — to IRCC with Settlement Plan and financial commitment
- IRCC processing — reviews sponsor and refugee eligibility
- Visa issued — refugee travels to Canada
- Settlement — 12 months of sponsor-provided support
Settlement Plan
Sponsors must submit a Settlement Plan detailing:
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Housing | Where the refugee will live |
| Financial | Budget for 12 months |
| Language | Plan for English/French training |
| Employment | How they'll help find work |
| Community | Social integration activities |
| Healthcare | How they'll access health services |
Processing Times
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Application submission | Immediate |
| IRCC processing | 12–36 months |
| Total | 1–3 years |
Tips
- SAHs are the most common route — they have experience and streamlined processes
- Groups of Five must prove income — minimum income requirements apply
- Budget generously — unexpected costs always arise
- Emotional support matters most — financial support is important, but personal connection is transformative
- Connect with settlement agencies — they can complement your support
- Start language training immediately — it's the key to independence
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