The Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program was established in 1978 under Canada's Immigration Act, 1976, making Canada the first country to formalize a private refugee resettlement scheme. It allows Canadians and permanent residents to directly sponsor refugees living abroad, committing to provide financial, emotional, and settlement support—typically for 12 months after arrival, or until the newcomer is self-sufficient.
Sponsorship can occur through three main streams:
- Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs): incorporated organizations (often faith-based or ethnocultural) that have signed formal agreements with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and can sponsor refugees themselves or through Constituent Groups.
- Groups of Five (G5): five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents who jointly sponsor a refugee recognized by UNHCR or a foreign state.
- Community Sponsors: organizations, associations, or corporations in the local community.
A related stream, the Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) Program, splits costs between the government and private sponsors for UNHCR-referred refugees.
Sponsors must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover settlement costs (housing, food, clothing, transportation) for the sponsorship period. Refugees admitted under PSR receive permanent resident status on arrival.
The program gained international visibility during the 2015–2016 Syrian refugee initiative, when Canada resettled over 25,000 Syrians within months, a substantial share through private sponsorship. It has since inspired similar community sponsorship models in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States (the Welcome Corps, launched in January 2023). The Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative (GRSI), co-founded by Canada, UNHCR, the Open Society Foundations, the Giustra Foundation, and the University of Ottawa in 2016, promotes adaptation of the Canadian model abroad.
Critics note long processing times, uneven outcomes across sponsor types, and concerns that private sponsorship may shift state responsibilities onto civil society. Supporters emphasize stronger integration outcomes and broader public engagement with refugee protection.
Example
In 2015–2016, Canadian church groups, Groups of Five, and Sponsorship Agreement Holders helped resettle thousands of Syrian refugees under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's #WelcomeRefugees initiative.
Frequently asked questions
Typically 12 months from the refugee's arrival in Canada, or until the refugee becomes self-sufficient, whichever comes first. Some cases allow extension up to 36 months.
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