Canada's Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program
Canada is unique in allowing its people to privately sponsor refugees through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program. Through this program, organizations and individuals identify refugees in need and commit to supporting them as they begin a new life in Canada.
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Sponsoring groups provide essential support for the first year, including housing, food, clothing, income assistance, and settlement guidance. Refugees must meet the criteria for a Convention Refugee or Country of Asylum Class and undergo security and criminal background checks before arriving.
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There are several ways to sponsor: Groups of Five, community sponsorships, or through Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) like Remember Ministries. As an SAH, we partner with sponsors to ensure government guidelines are followed, offer ongoing support, and help newcomers settle successfully into their Canadian communities.
What's the difference between privately sponsored refugees and those supported solely by the government?
Studies have shown that privately sponsored refugees have a higher success rate in finding jobs and successfully integrating into life in Canada than government assisted refugees because of the community and social assistance offered by a private group. It makes a huge difference to newcomers when they have a team of people committed to helping them adjust to their new lives.
Sponsorship Process
The sponsorship application process takes anywhere from 12 months to 48 months, although it can take longer. It depends largely on the wait times at the specific Canadian visa office responsible for the country of asylum where the refugee is residing.
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Once the paperwork is submitted to Remember Ministries, we review it and make sure everything is in order. Then we submit it to the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada). The IRCC checks over the application and gives it a file number. It is then forwarded to the appropriate visa office overseas. There it is processed, the refugees are interviewed and eligibility, criminality and security checks are completed. Medicals will also be conducted. If the application is approved, travel is arranged for the refugees and they are then able to come to Canada. Upon their arrival, they are permanent residents. They are financially supported by their sponsoring group who commits to helping them adjust to life in Canada for one year.
