Frequently asked questions:
The refugee system

Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program

How is a refugee identified for sponsorship?

A sponsor-referred refugee is identified by the sponsoring group. Sponsor-referred refugees are interviewed for eligibility after the application is submitted.

A visa office-referred refugee is identified for sponsorship by a Canadian visa office. Visa office-referred refugees have already been interviewed and found eligible by the visa office by the time they make a request for sponsorship.

Both sponsor-referred and visa office-referred refugees must meet the medical requirements and obtain criminal and security clearance before being approved.