Private Sponsorship
Who can Sponsor?
The Canadian Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program allows citizens to sponsor refugees from outside of Canada. What does sponsorship of refugees mean, who can sponsor a refugee and what are the obligations of a sponsor? Sponsorship is a legal commitment to ensure that sponsored refugees have the necessary support to integrate into life in Canada. Sponsors must provide basic financial support (e.g. for lodging and food) and care for the sponsored refugee for up to 12 months, or until the sponsored refugee becomes self-sufficient, whichever comes first. In exceptional circumstances, the length of the sponsorship may be up to 36 months. Sponsorship is a three-way partnership between sponsors, the Government of Canada, and the refugees themselves. The sponsors demonstrate their legal commitment by signing an undertaking/application to sponsor, which is referred as sponsorship undertaking. Sponsorship can range from full responsibility by private groups, to full responsibility by the Canadian government
