Sponsor a refugee

Groups of Five and Community Sponsors

The temporary public policy for Groups of Five and Community Sponsors interested in sponsoring a Syrian or Iraqi refugee in 2017 is closed. Learn more.

Information for refugees

Learn more about Canada and the next steps in the application process. Select the refugee program that applies to you.

Through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program, you may be able to help sponsor refugees from abroad who qualify to come to Canada. Your role as a sponsor is to support the refugees for the length of the sponsorship. This includes help for housing, clothing and food, as well as social and emotional support.

Providing timely protection to privately sponsored refugees is a priority. Steps are being taken to reduce wait times and reduce the existing backlog of applications.

There are many ways to sponsor refugees.

Sponsorship Agreement Holders

Sponsorship agreement holders are groups that have signed agreements with the Government of Canada to help support refugees from abroad when they come to Canada.

Groups of Five

Groups of Five are five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents over the age of 18 who can sponsor one or more refugees to come to Canada to settle in their local community. A Group of Five can only sponsor an applicant who already has refugee status.

Community Sponsors

A Community Sponsor is an organization, association or corporation that can sponsor refugees to come to Canada. A Community Sponsor can only sponsor an applicant who already has refugee status.

Blended Visa Office-Referred Program

The Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) Program is a program where private sponsors and the Government of Canada work together to support a refugee. The United Nations Refugee Agency identifies the refugees that can be sponsored under this program.