Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) | Group of Five
Sponsor a refugee to Canada. Guide for Groups of Five and Community Sponsors under the PSR program.
Who is this program for
Refugees abroad who can be sponsored by Canadian private groups, including: Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs), Groups of Five (G5), and Community Sponsors (CS). Refugees must be outside Canada and meet the definition of Convention refugee or person in similar circumstances.
Main criteria
Process steps
1. Form a sponsorship group
Create a sponsorship group: Group of Five (5 citizens/PRs), Community Sponsor, or work with a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH).
2. Identify a refugee to sponsor
Identify a refugee: either a known person (named sponsorship) or via a list of UNHCR-referred refugees.
3. Prepare and submit application
Complete sponsorship forms, prove financial capacity, and develop a detailed settlement plan.
4. Application processing
IRCC reviews the sponsorship application and refugee's application simultaneously. The refugee undergoes medical and security exams.
5. Arrival and support
Upon the refugee's arrival, sponsors provide welcome, accommodation, and comprehensive support for 12 months.
Typical documents
This list is not exhaustive. Required documents may vary depending on your situation.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ⚠️Insufficient proof of financial capacity
- ⚠️Incomplete settlement plan
- ⚠️Refugee does not meet refugee definition
- ⚠️Missing or untranslated documents
Processing time
Estimated time. May vary based on application volume.
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