Global cap for sponsorship agreement holders

The high level of interest from private sponsors reflects the success of the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. We need to make sure that we can manage the number of applications we get each year so we can process them efficiently.

Availability of space in the levels plan

Nobody becomes a refugee by choice. We’ve set the example to the rest of the world by welcoming privately sponsored refugees for more than 40 years, opening our hearts and homes to vulnerable people. Unfortunately, we can’t resettle everyone.

The Immigration Levels Plan establishes the number of privately sponsored refugees we can resettle each year. Our Refugee Resettlement Program continues to be an important part of our planning process. While we expect to welcome 67,500 privately sponsored refugees from 2021 to 2023, global travel restrictions in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may affect this number.

Sponsorship agreement holders

Since 2012, we have limits on the number of new applications that sponsorship agreement holders (SAHs) outside Quebec can submit each year. In 2021, SAHs outside Quebec can submit applications to sponsor up to 12,500 refugees. SAHs will also have access to any unused spaces from 2020.

The application cap for SAHs is applied globally, which means there are no mission-specific caps for SAHs to consider when choosing a refugee to sponsor.

We review our caps each year to make sure they align with the levels plan.

Quebec is responsible for its own resettlement processes. Refugees and sponsors who live in Quebec should contact the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (MIDI) for more information.

Find out how we process privately sponsored refugee applications