Guide to the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program
2. Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program
2.15 How is the application processed?
The Centralized Processing Office in Winnipeg: The CPO-W is CIC’s contact point for information on processing and settlement issues pertaining to private group sponsorships. Upon receipt of a sponsorship application, the CPO-W will:
- review the sponsorship undertaking to ensure that it is complete and meets the eligibility requirements;
- review the Application for Permanent Residence (only for completeness);
- acknowledge receipt of the undertaking to the sponsoring group;
- inform the sponsoring group of any decisions related to the application;
- (for sponsor-referred cases) forward the approved undertaking and the completed application for permanent residence to the visa office responsible for the area where the refugee lives;
- (for visa office-referred and JAS cases) review, assess and process the sponsorship undertaking once received from the sponsor and forward a copy of the approved sponsorship undertaking to the Matching Centre;
- provide the sponsoring group with processing updates; and
- register the refugees for the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) (if applicable).
The applicable local CIC office will:
- provide the sponsoring group with the names of agencies offering immigrant support services; and
- monitor the settlement of the refugees after arrival.
Canadian visa office: Canadian visa offices process applications for permanent residence submitted by refugees living abroad. The visa offices work closely with international service providers who deal with refugees around the world and also maintain contact with the CPO-W. The visa office will:
- review the application for permanent residence and pre-screen for basic eligibility requirements;
- notify the sponsor when a selection decision has been made (see 2.16);
- conduct an interview to determine if the applicant is a member of the Convention Refugees Abroad Class or Country of Asylum Class;
- assess the applicant’s ability to establish in Canada;
- initiate medical, criminal and security checks and review the results to ensure the applicant is admissible to Canada;
- (for visa office-referred [VOR] sponsorships) send a completed VOR referral form 1 to the Matching Centre so that the profile can be added to the online refugee profile directory;
- issue a loan for transportation and medical costs;
- issue a permanent resident visa when a positive final decision is made;
- make travel arrangements for the refugee in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (if applicable);
- provide the refugee with orientation and travel information in collaboration with international service providers; and
- advise the Matching Centre of the date and place that the refugees will arrive in Canada.
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