Now that the AGC will no longer be a Sponsorship Agreement Holder, sponsorship undertakings will look a little different, but can still be done!

Getting Started

If you wonder whether sponsorship is something that your church, or perhaps a group of churches in your community could initiate, the first thing to do is to call a meeting and invite anyone who is interested or has questions to attend. We have several documents that walk a group through the responsibilities of sponsorship, how to establish a core team, different types of sponsorships, and projected cost tables.

If there is enough interest among that first gathering for at least 5 people to commit to being part of a core team for the time of preparation, and the year of resettlement, then you are ready to move forward.

Next Steps

This is the time to contact our SAH representatives, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in our AGC Compassion & Justice office and they will provide you with all the necessary documents and instructions to get started: 

• how to structure a sponsorship committee
• an estimated budget can be calculated,
• further clarity on the types of sponsorship so your group can make an informed choice,
• how to ensure the church will be able to issue receipts for money given specifically for refugee sponsorship ministry,
• how to identify a refugee family for sponsorship,
• pre- and post-arrival responsibilities,
• and any other questions you have.

Sponsorship Types

The responsibilities of the sponsoring church will vary depending on the type of sponsorship chosen. The three types of sponsorships available are:

Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) - Group of Five

• Five individuals (Canadian citizens or permanent residents) agree to be responsible for the sponsorship undertaking.
• Those 5 will be assessed individually by IRCC to ensure they have the financial and non-financial capacity to sponsor a family.
• The Group names the refugee(s) they would like to sponsor, although the refugee(s) must have official "refugee" status.
• The Group is responsible to provide the full cost of resettlement (i.e. approx. $50K for a family of 5).
• Groups can collaborate with co-sponsors in their community and/or with people in other parts of the world to provide financial support or the team of 5.
• After an application is submitted, there is typically a 3 - 5 year processing time before newcomers arrive.
• The church (and co-sponsors if applicable) is responsible for 12 months of settlement support - both financial & non-financial.
• More information about Groups of Five can be found here.

Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) - Community Sponsors

• The church becomes the organization that does the sponsorship directly with IRCC.
• The church will need to demonstrate that they have the financial and settlement capacity to fulfill the sponsorship undertaking responsibilities.
• The church must be located in the community where the refugee is expected to settle.
• Community sponsors can identify the refugee(s) they would like to sponsor, but the refugee(s) must already have "refugee" status.
• More information about Community Sponsors can be found here.

Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) - Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH)

• There is a list of SAHs. You'll need to contact them to see if one has the capacity to work with you. 
• Because the SAH has already been assessed successfully by IRCC, the individuals and church are not assessed individually on their own.
• Churches can sponsor alone or in collaboration with other churches or individuals in their community.
• The church can identify the refugee(s) they would like to sponsor. The refugee(s) DO NOT need to have "refugee" status, but must still meet the definition of refugee.
• The SAH you work with will provide the resources and assistance you need.

Preparation for Arrival

This part of the sponsorship process will typically take 3 - 5 years. During this time, a church will take training, collect household goods, research medical, dental, language classes, find temporary housing if needed, find permanent housing, and other settlement resources. This is also the time for your group to take training and learn about the family’s culture and country of origin.

Friendship through Facebook, WhatsApp, or Skype with the family overseas can flourish during this time of waiting. Your conversations and interest in them and their situation, will bring hope while they wait. By keeping in touch with them, you can also help them prepare once they are contacted by a visa officer with a date for their interview. If they successfully pass their interview and medical/security checks, you will be sent a Notice of Arrival. That will give you the date and time to meet them at the airport.

Arrival

Once you have received the NAT, that will be the time to secure permanent housing and to move in all the household goods to set up a home for the family. Since it sometimes takes more time to find permanent housing than you will have, or arrival may be mid-month, it is imperative that temporary housing be planned. This could be someone’s suite, a hotel room, Air bnb, etc.

There are excellent resources available outlining necessary steps for the first few weeks after arrival, and the first few months. There will be many hours spent together as you help this family adjust to life in Canada. From the beginning, you will want to include intentional conversations about life after month 12, when the family will be supporting themselves and will be well on their way to being settled in their new life here in Canada.