Sponsoring Refugees

Under the Canadian refugee system, a certain number of groups and individuals are given the ability to sponsor a refugee from outside Canada. These are called “sponsors” and their responsibility is to provide assistance, whether financial or emotional, to the refugee in settling in Canada once he or she arrives in Canada. The sponsors’ responsibility is limited to the particular duration of the sponsorship, normally one year or until the refugee can financially support him/herself (whichever comes first). The sponsors’ responsibility includes assistance in providing not only financial help but also food, accommodation and clothing.

The applications for initiation of the process are normally made to the visa offices outside Canada. Once the application is made, the visa officer in charge will review the application in determining qualification as a refugee under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and related regulations.  Medical, security and background checks are conducted as part of the process in order to ensure that the refugee is not inadmissible to Canada. There are a number of ways for sponsorship:

• Groups of five;
• Community sponsors; and
• Sponsorship Agreement holders.

The sponsors under each of the categories above are subject to certain rules and restrictions concerning qualification. To obtain further information, please contact our office at (416) 365-9473 for confidential initial consultation.