Guide to the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program

Note: Interim Federal Health Program information was updated in July 2012

Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Private sponsorship of refugees program
  • 2.1 Who may be sponsored?
  • 2.2 Who may not be sponsored?
  • 2.3 Who may submit a private sponsorship?
  • 2.4 Who may not submit a private sponsorship?
  • 2.5 How is a sponsoring group formed?
  • 2.6 What are the responsibilities of the sponsoring group?
  • 2.7 How much financial support will be required?
  • 2.8 Are there any extra costs?
  • 2.9 How is a match made between a sponsoring group and a refugee?
  • 2.10 What is a non-accompanying family member and the One Year Window of Opportunity?
  • 2.11 What is a de facto dependant?
  • 2.12 Sponsorship of non-accompanying family members
  • 2.13 How does a group begin the sponsorship process?
  • 2.14 IMM 6000 application kit
  • 2.15 How is the application processed?
  • 2.16 How can I obtain information on my sponsorship?
  • 2.17 What are the refugee’s responsibilities?
  • 2.18 When will the refugee arrive?
  • 2.19 Other useful information
• 3. Additional sponsorship opportunities
  • 3.1 Joint Assistance Sponsorship
  • 3.2 Women at Risk Program
  • 3.3 Urgent Protection Program
• How to contact CIC in Canada

The Guide to the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program (PDF, 597 KB) is also available in PDF format.

This is not a legal document. For legal information, please refer to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations, which can be accessed through www.cic.gc.ca.

© Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2011
Ci4-70/2011E-PDF
978-1-100-19054-9