Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSR) Program in Canada

Canada is internationally recognized for its unique Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program, which allows ordinary Canadians, community groups, and organizations to play a direct role in resettling refugees. Unlike Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs), PSRs are supported financially and socially by their sponsors, not the government. This model has become a global example of how communities can actively participate in humanitarian protection.

How the PSR Program Works

• Refugees abroad must meet the definition of a Convention Refugee or be recognized as in need of protection.
• Sponsorship is arranged by Canadian citizens or permanent residents who form:
• Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs): Organizations with formal agreements with IRCC to sponsor refugees on an ongoing basis.
• Constituent Groups (CGs): Groups authorized under a SAH to sponsor specific cases.
• Groups of Five (G5): Any 5 or more Canadian citizens/permanent residents who come together to sponsor a refugee.
• Community Sponsors (CS): Organizations, associations, or corporations without a SAH agreement but who are approved for a specific sponsorship.
• Sponsors commit to providing financial, settlement, and emotional support for 12 months (or until the refugee is self-sufficient, whichever comes first).
• Refugees are referred to Canada by sponsors, not UNHCR or the government, although the refugee must still meet eligibility and admissibility requirements.

Source: IRCC – Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program

Eligibility & Requirements

For Refugees Abroad:

• Must be outside Canada.
• Must be recognized as a refugee or in need of protection (per UN Refugee Convention or IRPA).
• Must pass medical, security, and criminality checks.

For Sponsors:

• Must demonstrate financial capacity to support the refugee(s).
• Must create a settlement plan covering housing, food, clothing, language training, school enrollment, and employment search.
• Must sign an undertaking for at least 12 months of support (sometimes longer if the refugee needs extra help).

Supports Provided by Sponsors

Sponsors must ensure the refugee receives:

• Financial support (monthly allowance for rent, food, utilities, etc.)
• Basic needs (clothing, household items, winter gear)
• Settlement help (finding housing, registering for health care, enrolling children in school, opening bank accounts)
• Integration assistance (language classes, employment search, cultural orientation, community networking)

Benefits & Challenges

Benefits:

• Provides refugees with strong community integration.
• Encourages direct participation of Canadians in humanitarian resettlement.
• Refugees often experience faster social connections through sponsors.

Challenges:

• Sponsorship requires significant financial and time commitment.
• Processing times can be long due to high global demand.
• Sponsors must ensure full compliance with the settlement plan — failure may put refugees at risk.