Refugee Sponsorship — GAR vs PSR Complete Guide

Canada's Four Refugee Pathways — Overview

Canada has four distinct pathways for refugees to obtain protection or resettlement in Canada. The key distinction is between overseas resettlement (where the refugee is processed from a third country before arriving in Canada) and inland protection (where a person who is already in Canada makes a refugee claim):

Government Assisted Refugees (GAR) — Detailed

GARs are the most vulnerable refugees — often identified by UNHCR in refugee camps and referred to Canada for urgent resettlement due to: risk of persecution, medical needs that cannot be addressed in the country of asylum, women at risk, survivors of torture or violence, or stateless persons.

• Selection Process: UNHCR identifies and refers refugees to Canada. IRCC visa officers overseas interview the referred individuals and assess admissibility (security, medical, and ID checks). If approved, the refugee receives a permanent resident visa and is booked on flights to Canada.
• Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP): Upon arriving in Canada, GARs receive government-funded support through the RAP for their first 12 months. This includes: airport reception, temporary accommodation for the first 2 weeks, help finding permanent housing, basic household goods and food (or a start-up allowance), and monthly income support equal to provincial welfare rates (varies by province and family size).
• Permanent Residence Immediately: GARs arrive in Canada as permanent residents — they do not need to apply for PR after arriving. They can obtain a PR card and access all PR rights immediately.
• Language and Employment Support: GARs are entitled to federally funded language training (LINC — Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) and employment support services for multiple years after arrival.

Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) — How It Works

The PSR program allows Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and community organizations to personally sponsor specific refugees abroad for resettlement in Canada. There are three types of private sponsors:

• Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAH): Organizations that have signed a formal agreement with IRCC to sponsor refugees — typically large religious organizations (Catholic Immigration Centres, Jewish Federation, Islamic organizations), ethnocultural groups, and non-profits. SAHs can sponsor refugees directly and can also work with constituent groups (CGs) who assist under their umbrella.
• Groups of Five (G5): Any five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents (not a formal organization) who group together to privately sponsor a specific refugee they know personally or have identified through a connection. G5 members must all be 18+, reside in the province/territory where the refugee will settle, and collectively meet the financial requirements.
• Community Sponsors: Any Canadian organization (corporation, association, church group, community organization) that signs a sponsorship agreement without being an SAH — must be a stable organization with proven community ties.
• What PSR Sponsors Must Commit To: Sponsors must commit to providing all financial, emotional, and settlement support to the sponsored refugee and their family for a minimum of 12 months or until the refugee becomes self-sufficient (whichever comes first). This includes: housing, food, clothing, household essentials, help with language training enrollment, assistance finding employment, social integration, and medical care coordination.

PSR Financial Requirements — How Much Does It Cost to Sponsor?

Private sponsors must demonstrate they can financially support the refugee for 12 months. Approximate minimum financial requirements for 2026:

The exact financial requirement varies by province (cost of living differs significantly). SAHs provide their constituent groups with province-specific financial requirement tables. Sponsors can use savings, income, loans, or fundraising to meet the requirement. Many SAHs have "sponsorship escrow" accounts where sponsor groups deposit funds before IRCC approves the refugee application.

Inland Refugee Claims — The IRB Process

A person already in Canada (whether on a visitor visa, work permit, study permit, or who entered irregularly) can make an inland refugee protection claim. The claim is assessed by the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) — an independent quasi-judicial tribunal.

• Making a Claim: You can claim refugee protection at a Canadian border port of entry, at an airport during an immigration inspection, or at an inland IRCC office. You complete Form IMM 5999 and IMM 0008, provide your basis of claim (narrative) describing the persecution you fear, and attend a hearing before an IRB member.
• While the Claim is Pending: You may apply for a work permit (open work permit for refugee claimants) after your claim is filed. You may access provincial social assistance (welfare). You have access to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) for basic medical coverage. Processing times for IRB hearings have been 21–36 months in recent years due to backlogs.
• If the Claim is Accepted: You are recognized as a "Convention Refugee" or "Person in Need of Protection" and may apply for permanent residence. You are immediately eligible to apply for a PR through the protected persons class.
• If the Claim is Rejected: You may appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) within 15 days of the decision. If the RAD also rejects the appeal, you may file a Judicial Review to the Federal Court. If all appeals are exhausted, a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) can be requested before removal.