Canada•North America42 months
Free
Permanent residency
Canada's Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program lets private citizens and organizations — including faith groups, community associations, and families — directly sponsor refugees for resettlement and permanent residence. Sponsor types include Sponsorship Agreement Holders, Groups of Five, and Community Sponsors.
Approved refugees receive permanent residency and full work authorization on arrival, with no application fees. Sponsors must provide financial, housing, and settlement support for 12 months. Processing currently runs around 42 months, driven by high demand exceeding annual intake targets.
This visa is ideal for refugees recognized by the UNHCR or a foreign state who have an existing connection to a Canadian sponsoring group willing to commit to one year of active support.
Must be recognized as a refugee by the UNHCR or a foreign state
Must reside outside their country of origin and Canada
Must have a sponsoring group in Canada (e.g., Group of Five, Community Sponsor, or Sponsorship Agreement Holder)
Must pass medical, criminality, and security admissibility checks
Must demonstrate no other durable solution is available
Sponsorship undertaking and settlement plan.
Proof of financial resources (for sponsors).
Refugee application forms (IMM 6000).
Identity and family composition documents.
Medical and security clearance documents.
| IMM 6000 Guide for Convention Refugees and Humanitarian-Protected Persons Abroad | Fill online |
Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free trial.
Start Visa Discovery