Refugees Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for sponsorship under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program?

The Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program lets Canadian citizens and permanent residents help resettle refugees from abroad in Canada.

To be eligible for sponsorship, a refugee applicant must be outside Canada and meet the definition of one of the refugee classes of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The classes of refugees eligible for resettlement under the program are:

• the Convention Refugee Abroad Class and
• the Country of Asylum Class.

Who makes the final decision on whether a refugee is eligible for resettlement?

An officer at a local CIC makes the decision on whether a person is eligible to sponsor. A Canadian visa office abroad makes the final decision on whether a person being sponsored is eligible to be resettled under the Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program.

The decisions are based on:

• supporting documents submitted by the sponsoring group demonstrating their ability to provide the sponsorship support;
• supporting documents submitted by the refugee applicant regarding the claim to refugee protection;
• additional information available to the officer (such as conditions in the country the refugee is fleeing as well as country conditions in the country of asylum); and/or
• an interview with the applicant.

To be accepted for resettlement to Canada, the refugee must also pass medical and security checks. In addition, refugees will be assessed on their ability to establish themselves successfully in Canada. The visa officer will consider whether the refugee has relatives or a sponsor in Canada, is able to learn English or French, and has the potential for employment. When a family unit is applying, these factors are assessed for the family as a unit.

In some cases, the visa officer may determine that refugees are in urgent need of protection, in which case they are not assessed on their ability to establish themselves in Canada.

Who is not eligible for sponsorship under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program?

The following people do not qualify for private sponsorship:

• people already in Canada (people seeking Canada’s protection as refugees should contact the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Call Centre to find out where to go to get help and information on starting the refugee claim process);
• people who were the subject of a previous sponsorship application and who were refused, unless:
  • their circumstances have changed;
  • new information that was not presented in the previous application has come to light; or
  • Canadian laws affecting the case have changed;
• people deemed to be Convention refugees by another country and who have been given permission to live there permanently; and
• people who fled persecution or civil war some time ago, but who can now integrate into the country where they live or can return home safely.

For more information, please see Seeking Refugee Protection from within Canada.

Who can sponsor a refugee?

• Sponsorship Agreement Holders. A sponsorship agreement holder is an organization that has a formal sponsorship agreement with Citizenship and Immigration Canada to sponsor refugees.
• Groups of Five. This is a group of five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents who live in the community where the refugees are expected to settle.
• Community Sponsors. A community sponsor is an organization, an association or a corporation based in the community where the refugees are expected to settle.

You can find more information on each of these groups by consulting the Guide to Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.

What are the responsibilities of a sponsoring group?

A sponsoring group must perform the following tasks.

• Complete a settlement plan. The plan outlines the arrangements to be put in place for the sponsored refugees. This includes helping them to:
  • find suitable housing;
  • learn English or French;
  • find a job and make friends;
  • learn about Canadian culture and values; and
  • learn about the services that are available in their community.
• Provide for the reception, care, lodging and settlement of the sponsored refugees. (Sponsoring groups commit to providing settlement assistance to refugees for one year from the date the refugees arrive in Canada or until they are self-supporting, whichever comes first. In some exceptional cases, the assistance may be provided for a longer period.)
• Live in the expected community of settlement.
• Provide information on available finances when applying.

For more information on the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program, you can consult the Guide to Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.

How is a refugee identified for sponsorship?

A sponsor-referred refugee is identified by the sponsoring group. Sponsor-referred refugees are interviewed for eligibility after the application is submitted.

A visa office-referred refugee is identified for sponsorship by a Canadian visa office. Visa office-referred refugees are people identified by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and who have already been interviewed and found eligible by the visa office by the time they make a request for sponsorship.

All must meet the medical requirements and have criminal and security clearance before being approved.

What is joint assistance sponsorship?

The Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) program enables sponsorship agreement holders to work with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to resettle refugees with special needs.

Refugees under the JAS program receive income support from the Government of Canada for up to 24 months, depending on the circumstances. In addition, they are matched with a private sponsoring group.

CIC provides financial assistance to cover the cost of food, shelter, clothing and essential household goods. Private sponsors provide help adjusting to life in Canada, significant settlement assistance and emotional support.

More information can be found in Joint Assistance Sponsorship.

How do I know which visa office will process the application for permanent residence for privately sponsored refugees?

Consult this list of visa offices.

How long does it take before the refugee can come to Canada?

Generally, the processing of an application can take up to 36 months. In exceptional cases, it can take longer depending on:

• whether the person is referred by a sponsor or a visa office;
• which visa office is processing the application; and
• how complex the case is.

To help process sponsor-referred applications faster, sponsoring groups should try to ensure that all the documents are included and the contact information is accurate before applying.

The refugee our group wanted to sponsor was refused after an interview. Can our group appeal?

There is no formal appeal process. However, if you believe the visa officer made a legal error, you can send the details to Case Management at Citizenship and Immigration Canada at the following address: Jean Edmonds North Tower, 300 Slater Street, 9^th Floor, Ottawa, ON  K1A 1L1.

In some cases, you may seek a judicial review by the Federal Court of Canada. A judicial review of a decision is not an appeal on the merits of the case, but an examination of the process that led to the decision to determine if the process was fair and reasonable.

Where can I find more information about applying to sponsor a refugee?

For more information, consult the Guide to Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. You can also contact the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Call Centre.

For detailed information on the entire sponsorship process, consult the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program’s sponsoring handbooks.

I know someone who claimed refugee status here in Canada and who has now been refused. Can we sponsor them, to give them another chance?

No, private sponsorships are intended for refugees outside Canada who meet the criteria of Canada’s Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program.

My relatives have been accepted as refugees by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and I know they have a UNHCR card. Does that mean they will be resettled in Canada?

No, it does not mean they will be resettled in Canada. The UNHCR determines the refugees who meet its requirements and refers some of them for resettlement to Canada. Canada then conducts its own screening process to make sure the individuals meet the criteria under the Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program. Applicants must also meet medical and security screening requirements. Not all individuals referred by the UNHCR are accepted for resettlement to Canada.

Are there any application fees?

There is no charge for the application forms, and there are no processing fees for submitting private sponsorship undertakings.

Will the refugee have to pay any costs?

Refugees are usually eligible for a loan from the Government of Canada to pay for their medical examinations overseas and their transportation to Canada. For more information on the loans program, consult the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program handbooks.

Are sponsored refugee families with children eligible for a child tax benefit upon arrival? What is the average waiting period for clients to receive their first child tax benefit payment?

Yes, sponsored refugee families with children are eligible for a child tax benefit upon arrival. Refugees should apply as soon as they arrive in Canada because it may take up to two months to process the application. The Canada Revenue Agency can only make retroactive payments for up to 11 months from the month it receives the application. If you apply for the benefit after the child is one year old, you have to attach proof of birth.

You can get more information on child and family benefits from the Canada Revenue Agency website.

Are resettled refugees allowed to go to university? Can they get student loans?

Resettled refugees are permanent residents on arrival and have all the rights of other permanent residents. They may attend university and apply for some types of student loans.

Sponsoring groups are not required to cover tuition costs during the sponsorship year.

Why does Canada resettle refugees?

Canada resettles refugees to save lives and to provide stability to people fleeing persecution with no hope of relief.

Through its refugee protection system, Canada offers a safe haven to people with a well-founded fear of persecution, and to people at risk of torture or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has a mandate to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. As part of its activities, the UNHCR identifies refugees to Canada when resettlement is the best possible solution. A Canadian visa officer then decides whether a person meets the requirements of Canada’s refugee resettlement program and if the person will be admitted to Canada.

To be eligible for resettlement, refugees must:

• be persecuted or reasonably fear persecution;
• have no other long-term solution within a reasonable time; and
• eventually be able to establish themselves in Canadian society.

Like all immigrants, refugees selected for resettlement must pass a medical, security and criminal screening.

Canada’s Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program allows our country to continue its proud humanitarian tradition and to help refugees rebuild their lives in Canada.

What is meant by government-assisted refugees?

Government-assisted refugees are refugees from the Convention Refugees Abroad Class. Their initial resettlement in Canada is supported by the Government of Canada or the Government of Quebec.

Refugees selected for resettlement to Canada have often been forced to flee their home country because of extreme hardship. In some cases, they have lived in refugee camps for many years. They are often victims of trauma or torture. They may have special needs. When they arrive in Canada, they often have nothing with them but a few personal effects.

What kind of support do they receive?

The Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) provides government-assisted refugees with support services and financial support for the most basic needs.

Support services include:

• greeting at the airport;
• temporary accommodation and help finding permanent accommodation;
• help with registration for mandatory federal and provincial programs;
• orientation in the community that includes explanation of contacts for safety and emergency services, public transportation, Canada’s education and health-care systems, Canadian laws and customs, an introduction to the city where they settle, and some explanation of the climate;
• financial direction in areas such as budgeting techniques, setting up a bank account, and the use of debit and credit cards;
• “life skills” support for high-needs clients to help with basic life skills; and
• referrals to other refugee programs.

Financial support is provided under the RAP to eligible refugees who cannot pay for their own basic needs. Support can include a one-time household start-up allowance and a monthly income support payment. The level of financial support is based on provincial social assistance rates in the province where they settle.

Is the support the same across Canada?

Support services under the Resettlement Assistance Program are the same across Canada. The monthly income support varies slightly from province to province since it is based on provincial social assistance rates. A single government-assisted refugee who settles in Toronto, for example, will receive approximately $781 per month. This amount is meant to cover food, shelter and transportation.

In most cases, the first month’s income support payment is larger because it includes a one-time payment to cover the basic costs of setting up a household.

Do large and small families receive the same amount of money?

The amount for household start-up varies by family size. Other special allowances may be provided depending on circumstances.

What are these special allowances?

The special allowances include:

• a monthly school allowance;
• a maternity allowance for pregnant women;
• a newborn allowance for a family to buy clothing and furniture for their child; and
• a housing supplement.

How long does the support provided to government-assisted refugees last?

Income support can last up to one year from the date of arrival in Canada, or until the refugee can support herself or himself, whichever occurs first.

Special-needs clients selected under the Joint Assistance Sponsorship Program may receive Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) income support for 24 months or more. Most government-assisted refugees, however, receive assistance for 12 months or less.

Support services provided under the RAP are generally delivered within the first four to six weeks after a refugee arrives in Canada.

Is all the support to government-assisted refugees provided by the government?

Financial support for government-assisted refugees outside of Quebec is provided by the Government of Canada and initial support services unique to government-assisted refugees are provided by organizations located throughout Canada, which are funded by the federal government. As well, longer term settlement support services are funded by the federal government.

Provinces also fund various organizations to provide services which permanent residents and Canadian citizens may access.

Note: The province of Quebec provides funding and service supports to government-assisted refugees who are resettled to Quebec.

Do in-Canada refugee claimants receive resettlement assistance?

No. In-Canada refugee claimants are not permanent residents. They have not been selected for resettlement and are therefore not eligible to receive any resettlement assistance.

Do privately sponsored refugees receive resettlement assistance?

Privately sponsored refugees receive financial assistance from their sponsors, not the government. Sponsorship groups must prepare a settlement plan that outlines how they will support the sponsored refugees. This includes helping them to find suitable housing, learn English or French, find a job, make friends, and learn about Canadian culture and values, as well as services in their community.

Sponsorship groups must also provide for the reception, care, lodging and settlement for the sponsored refugees. Sponsors provide financial support for a period of up to 12 months (or longer in exceptional circumstances, if agreed to by the sponsoring group) or until the refugee can support herself or himself, whichever occurs first.

Privately sponsored refugees arrive in Canada as permanent residents and are entitled to the same settlement support services as other permanent residents. Services funded under the Settlement Program include activities such as language training.

In some cases, the government provides some support for the initial cost of resettlement of privately-sponsored refugees (under the Joint Assistance Sponsorship Program). As well, privately sponsored refugees and their sponsors may have access to some of the services provided to direct Resettlement Assistance Program clients.

I heard that there are different rules for sponsoring refugees from Turkey. Is this true? How can I sponsor a refugee from Turkey?

CIC offices in Canada do not accept applications from private sponsors who want to sponsor people from Turkey without:

• evidence that the UNHCR has found the person to be a Convention Refugee who needs resettling; and
• evidence that the UNHCR has referred the case to the Canadian Embassy in Ankara for resettlement in Canada.

This suspension of undertakings will continue indefinitely. It began on May 25, 2004, as a response to a change in the Government of Turkey’s policy on issuing exit permits to refugees. The Government of Turkey’s policy states that people in Turkey who do not meet the above requirements will not be granted exit permits to leave the country.

Canada is committed to offering protection in light of refugee situations that are evolving in the region. However, CIC cannot accept applications from people who will be unable to obtain exit permission from the Government of Turkey.

If private sponsors are in contact with any potential applicants in Turkey, we recommend that they explain the need to register with the UNHCR and the need to meet the exit requirements of the Turkish Government. All Iraqis in the Middle East who are applying for resettlement should also be advised that moving from Syria to Turkey will not help them unless they meet the exit permit requirements of the Turkish Government.

A widely circulated email alleges that government-assisted refugees receive much more income support and benefits than Canadian pensioners. Is this true?

Refugees do not receive more financial assistance from the federal government than Canadian pensioners. The email message mistakenly includes the one-time start-up payment as part of the monthly payment. The amount of monthly financial support provided to government-assisted refugees is based on provincial social assistance rates, and it provides the minimum amount required to cover only the most basic food and shelter needs.

Many refugees selected for resettlement to Canada have been forced to flee their country because of extreme hardship. Some may have been living in refugee camps for many years. When they arrive in Canada, they must start their lives again in a country very different from their own.

In keeping with Canada’s proud humanitarian tradition, individuals and families are provided with immediate and essential services and support to help them establish in Canada.