Sponsor a refugee

Each year, millions of people are forced to flee their homelands to escape persecution, war or severe human rights abuses. Often these people can never return home.

The Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program helps thousands of refugees every year. You or your group can sponsor refugees from abroad who qualify to come to Canada. As a sponsor, you provide financial and emotional support for the refugees for the duration of the sponsorship. This includes help for housing, clothing and food. Most sponsorships last for one year, but some refugees may be eligible for assistance from their sponsors for up to three years.

Refugees must qualify for entry under Canada’s laws and must pass medical and security checks before they can come to Canada.

Sponsorship Agreement Holders

A number of groups across the country have signed agreements with the Government of Canada to help support refugees from abroad when they resettle in Canada. They are known as sponsorship agreement holders.

Groups of five

A group of five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents over the age of 18 can sponsor one or more refugees to come to Canada and settle in their area.

Community sponsors

Some community groups can sponsor refugees to come to Canada.

Joint Assistance Sponsorship Program

Organizations can work as partners with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to resettle refugees with special needs.

Sponsors in Quebec

Quebec has its own process to sponsor refugees. Sponsors who live in the province of Quebec should contact Quebec’s Ministère de l'Immigration et des Communautés culturelles.