Private Refugee Sponsorship & Resettlement Program
Community Refugee Sponsorship
Eligibility and application support for community organizations considering refugee sponsorship.
Overview
A community sponsor is a qualifying organization, association, or corporation that commits to helping refugees settle in its community. The group must demonstrate that it can provide the financial and practical support required by the undertaking.
New sponsor-referred applications from community sponsors are currently paused. Eligible community sponsors can currently apply through BVOR; existing submitted cases continue to be processed. We check intake conditions before preparing an application and explain the obligations attached to the available route.
Who may consider this: Community organizations, associations, and corporations assessing their ability to sponsor refugees.
Eligibility Considerations
- A qualifying organization in the expected community of settlement
- Financial capacity and a workable settlement plan
- An application route open to the proposed case under current IRCC instructions
How It Works
Organization Review
We review the organization's structure, resources, and settlement capacity.
Intake Assessment
We confirm whether an eligible route is available for the proposed sponsorship.
Support Plan
We help document who will provide housing, finances, and day-to-day settlement assistance.
Document Preparation
We organize the undertaking and supporting records for the applicable route.
Application Follow-Up
We assist with immigration correspondence and keep the group informed of required next steps.
Documents You May Need
Document requirements vary by applicant and pathway — not every applicant needs every item below. We confirm your specific list during an assessment.
- Organizational and authorized-signatory records
- Financial-capacity evidence and settlement plan
- Undertaking and any required matching correspondence
Common Issues to Watch For
These are presented to help you prepare, not to cause concern — most are avoidable with careful preparation.
- Confusing community sponsorship with ordinary family sponsorship
- Trying to submit a new sponsor-referred case during the intake pause
- Relying on informal support promises without documented resources and responsibilities
How We Help
- Assess the organization's proposed role and available route
- Help turn settlement commitments into a documented plan
- Prepare and review the applicable immigration forms
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we submit a new sponsor-referred case now?+
Current IRCC guidance pauses this intake. Eligible BVOR sponsorship remains a separate option, subject to its own requirements.
Are existing applications cancelled by the pause?+
IRCC states that applications already submitted continue to be processed. We can help organize responses for an existing file.
The information on this website is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration policies, fees, processing times, and eligibility requirements change frequently. Please verify current requirements with official government sources or a qualified immigration professional before making decisions.