Community SponsorsWhat is a Community Sponsors?

These organizations do not have to be incorporated under federal or provincial law, but they must exist as a legal entity. They must have:

• the financial and settlement capacity to fulfill the sponsorship undertaking
• and must be located in the community where the refugee is expected to settle.

In addition, Community Sponsors must also:

• provide evidence of settlement capability
• provide emotional and social support to a refugee and his/her family
• and commit to supporting the sponsored refugees for the period of the sponsorship undertaking, which is usually for one year.

Community Sponsors do not have a limit on the number of sponsorship applications that they can submit per year, as long as they can demonstrate financial and settlement capacity. Please see the Community Sponsor Application forms and tips on completing the required forms. Note that original signatures on all application forms are necessary.

The Community Sponsor may also choose to partner formally with an individual (e.g. a refugee’s family member in Canada) or another organization in carrying out settlement duties.

Community Sponsors can only sponsor persons who have already been formally/officially recognized as a refugee in the country of asylum (i.e.: where they reside now), and be able to provide documentary proof of this status, such as a document issued by the state of that country or a refugee status recognition or ‘mandate letter’ by the UNHCR.