Frequently asked questions:
The refugee system

Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program

How long does it take before the refugee can come to Canada?

Generally, processing of an application can take up to 36 months. In exceptional cases, it can take longer depending on:

• whether the person is referred by a sponsor, or a visa office
• which visa office is processing the application and
• the complexity of the case.

To help process sponsor-referred applications faster, sponsoring groups should try to ensure all the documents are included and the contact information is accurate before applying.