Determine your eligibility – Community sponsors

Community groups can sponsor refugees to come to Canada.

A community sponsor can be:

• an organization
• an association or
• a corporation.

The organization, association or corporation does not have to be incorporated under federal or provincial law.

A community sponsor must make an emotional and financial commitment to support the refugees for the duration of the sponsorship. Sponsorships generally last for one year. The amount of money needed varies, depending on the number of refugees sponsored. You can find more information about costs in the Guide to the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.

A community sponsor must be located in the community where the refugees are expected to settle.

Co-sponsors

A community sponsor can form a partnership with an individual or another organization. These are known as co-sponsors. The co-sponsor must agree to help deliver settlement assistance and share the responsibility for supporting the sponsored refugee.

Sponsors in Quebec

Quebec has its own process for sponsoring refugees. Sponsors who live in the province of Quebec should contact the Quebec ministry that handles immigration (ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles).