BVOR FAQ
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These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) apply to refugees sponsored through the Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) program, by:
- Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs)
- Groups of Five; and
- Community Sponsors.
| Please note, the following is not a legal document and should not be interpreted as an addendum to the SAHs’ Sponsorship Agreement. |
For answers to questions about post-arrival financial requirements and the application of Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) rates and policies, please visit our Financial FAQ page (link) here instead.
Sponsoring groups are encouraged to contact our BVOR worker, Paula Marshall, if they have questions that are not answered here, at bvor@rstp.ca
FAQ’s about the BVOR program structure
[wpspoiler style =”first” name=”How is the Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) sponsorship program different than the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program?” ]
- BVOR refugees are identified by the UNHCR and Canadian Visa Offices, then referred to RSTP for matching with sponsorship groups, whereas PSR refugees can be named/identified by individuals in Canada, like friends and family.
- BVOR Refugees have already been pre-screened for eligibility and admissibility. They are travel-ready – once matched with a sponsorship group, they can arrive within 1-4 months, whereas PSR refugee applications, submitted from Canada are sent overseas for processing, after approval. This process can take upwards of a year (timelines vary, from country by country and other influencing factors).
- Sponsors who sponsor BVOR refugees, benefit from a cost-sharing arrangement with the Canadian government. The government provides 6 months of financial support to meet basic needs, while sponsors provide the remaining sponsorship cost. Sponsors of PSR refugees are responsible for the full financial and settlement support for the duration of the sponsorship.
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[wpspoiler style =”first” name=”Who can become a sponsor under the BVOR program? ” ]
The basic eligibility requirements of BVOR sponsors are:
- They must reside within Canada
- They must have Registered Indian, Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Resident status in Canada
- They must form or already belong to a group, such as:
- a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH)
- a Group of Five
- a Community Sponsor
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[wpspoiler style =”first” name=”What happens to refugees who are not matched with sponsors?” ]
They are converted to Government Assisted Refugees and still come to Canada, but are supported through settlement agencies instead of a sponsor group. This also reduces the number of available arrivals of GARs with annual spaces being used by would-be BVORs instead. In other words, every refugee resettled to Canada through the BVOR program opens up an additional resettlement spot for another refugee to arrive as a Government Assisted Refugee during the same year. BVOR increases the total amount of refugees that can be resettled to Canada, annually.
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Questions about sponsor responsibilities vs. government support
[wpspoiler style =”first” name=”What support is provided by the government?” ]
- The government provides income support for for months two to seven (while sponsors provide income support for the remainder of the year)
- The government provides an Interim Federal Health Plan to provide health care to BVOR sponsored refugees
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[wpspoiler style =”first” name=”What time commitment is expected of sponsors?” ]
This varies depending on the needs of the newcomers and the size of the sponsorship group.
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[wpspoiler style =”first” name=”How much does it cost to sponsor a BVOR refugee?” ]
You should use the average cost of living for 1 year in your local community as a ballpark cost estimate. This varies depending on the size of family and where they are living in Canada. Use the Minimum Financial Calculator to find out how much it would cost for the family you have in mind to live in your city.
Examples:
Single mother with two children ages 3 and 5, living in Saskatoon –
Married couple with three children ages 4, 8, and 12, living in Toronto –
Single man living in Halifax –
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[wpspoiler style =”first” name=”How long does a sponsorship last? ” ]
One year, from the date of arrival.
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[wpspoiler style =”first” name=”Who helps with language interpretation? ” ]
Sponsors are responsible to find an interpreter if needed. Partner with local settlement agencies to find out where translation and/or interpretation services are available.
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[wpspoiler style =”first” name=”Who will help me if challenges arise?” ]
Answer
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[wpspoiler style =”first” name=”What skills/abilities are required from sponsors?” ]
Answer
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[wpspoiler style =”first” name=”What challenges/risk might be involved in being a sponsor?” ]
Answer
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Other people’s stories of being sponsors – link to videos
2 Addendum
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[wpspoiler style =”first” name=”Q2. …? ” ]
- Answer
6 Addendum
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