Refugees

Individuals who present themselves at a Canadian port of entry, an inland Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), or Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may make an asylum claim. From there, the CBSA or IRCC agent will determine if the individual is eligible to claim asylum. In addition to providing well-founded proof of persecution in their country of origin, those seeking asylum will also undergo biometric, biographic, security, and criminality checks before they can be granted refugee status in Canada.

There are many ways that Canadians, their communities, and organizations sponsor refugees and help them resettle into their new life in Canada. These sponsorship programs help refugees find a place to live, provide financial, social, and emotional support, and donate food and clothing as they resettle and adjust to life in Canada.

Groups of Five: This is a private sponsorship program where five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents sponsor one or more refugees to resettle within their community. These sponsors must be over the age of 18 and can only sponsor applicants who already hold refugee status in Canada.

Blended Visa Office-Referred Program

This semi-private sponsorship program involves private sponsors collaborating with the Government of Canada to sponsor a United Nations Refugee Agency-identified refugee.

Other Sponsorship Programs

Corporations and organizations can also sponsor refugees through various programs:

• Sponsorship Agreement Holder: Organizations sponsor refugees under an agreement with the government.
• Community Sponsor: For applicants who already have refugee status in Canada.
• Joint Assistance Sponsorship Program: Organizations partner with the Government of Canada to sponsor refugees with special needs.

In the unfortunate event that an asylum claim is denied, the individual will be required to leave Canada and return to their home country. Denied applicants may, however, submit an application to appeal this decision to the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada within 15 days of receiving the written decision from the Refugee Protection Division. The appellant will have a total of 30 days from receiving the written decision of denial to file an Appellant’s Record. The RAD will decide on the appeal within 90 days unless an oral hearing is required.