Sponsorship costs are calculated based on the specific community of settlement as well as composition of the family being sponsored. We all know that the cost of living is different for people living in Halifax compared to those living in Vancouver. These tables are only accurate for Toronto, but may be used as an estimate for other communities. To know the actual costs for your community, please
Sponsorship Costs (2023)
The sponsoring group must have the full amount of required funds on hand before the newcomers arrive in Canada. For instance, if a group in the Toronto area plans to sponsor one person, the sponsorship costs will be not less than $16,500.
In creating a budget with cost figures specific to family composition and community of settlement, your SAH will work with the Minimum Financial Support Calculator created by IRCC to arrive at the precise cost of sponsorships in your community. You can access that calculator here.
Family Size |
12 Months of Income Support |
Start-up Costs |
SAH Recommended Amount |
| 1 | $14,000 | $3,065 | $20,000 |
| 2 | $20,676 | $4,565 | $28,000 |
| 3 | $21,336 | $5,740 | $30,000 |
| 4 | $22,044 | $7,260 | $33,000 |
| 5 | $22,752 | $8,855 | $36,000 |
| 6 | $23,100 | $10,170 | $38,000 |
| Additional member | $1,750 | $1,200 | $3,000 |
The actual cost of the sponsorship will always be higher than the amounts outlined in the sponsorship cost table. As a Sponsorship Agreement Holder, we build into every budget both a contingency amount for unexpected expenses, as well as slightly higher monthly support than required by IRCC. Hence the "SAH Recommended Amount."
Donations of household items can reduce the amount of cash required for Start-up, and if newcomers live with the sponsors or the co-sponsor, monthly support amounts can be reduced if the rent is being provided "in-kind." These practical items can reduce the amount of cash required to sponsor.
Sponsorship Costs Reduced by Gifts In Kind
A few factors may reduce the amount of financial support that the sponsoring group must provide. Examples of these factors may include in-kind donations and financial resources the sponsored refugee brings to Canada.
Start-Up Costs and Allowable Deductions
Start-up costs will usually be provided as a combination of cash and donated items. In-kind donations include gently used furniture, linens and household items provided at no cost to the newcomers. Only a percentage of the total value of in-kind donations can be subracted from the financial support that must be provided to the newcomers as start-up support.
Food Staples Allowance: Includes basic kitchen pantry food items such as flour, sugar, spices, tea, canned goods, grains, etc.
- 50% can be subtracted from the financial support and provided as in-kind donations.
Basic Clothing: Includes jeans, shirts, sweaters, socks, shoes, etc.
- 70% can be subtracted from the financial support and provided as in-kind donations. That being the case, although some children's clothes may be suitable to give as donated items, sponsors are encouraged to give most of the allowance for a newcomer's initial basic wardrobe to them as cash. This will allow newcomers to choose the clothing they want and save sponsors collecting items that will only be re-donated later. This also provides an opportunity for sponsors to teach newcomers about shopping in Canada. Any shoes or underwear provided must be new.
Winter Clothing: winter coat, winter boots, mittens, scarf, snow pants for children, etc. Depending when the family arrives, sponsors may need to provide some winter clothing for each family member at the airport. Sponsors will need to use their own judgment to determine whether it is better to shop with newcomers after arrival for winter clothing, or to collect good quality donated items beforehand.
- 70% can be subtracted from the financial support and provided as in-kind donations.
Basic Household Needs: Items include basic window coverings and common household products such as kitchen appliances, pots, pans, dishes, cutlery, mats, fans, brooms, mops, detergents, cleansers, wastebaskets, etc.
- 50% can be subtracted from the financial support and provided as in-kind donations.
Furniture: Items include beds frames, (not mattresses - they must be purchased new), living room furniture, table, chairs, desks, lamps, rugs, TV, etc.
- 70% can be subtracted from the financial support and provided as in-kind donations.
Linens: Items include bathroom towels, kitchen towels, sheets, blankets, pillows, etc.
- 100% can be subtracted from the financial support and provided as in-kind donations.
School Start-Up Allowance: an allowance of $150/children or young adult between the ages of 4-21 attending school to defray costs for school activity fees, gym clothing, etc. If newcomers arrive between September and May, sponsors are responsible to provide the school start-up allowance twice, as the settlement year will include 2 school years.
- 50% can be subtracted from the financial support and provided as in-kind donations.
Monthly Support Deductions
If newcomers will be living with a party to the undertaking, then 100% of their shelter allowance (IRCC rates, not the going rental rate) can be deducted from monthly financial support.