{"id":16364,"date":"2022-12-29T14:32:04","date_gmt":"2022-12-29T19:32:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rstp.ca\/?page_id=16364"},"modified":"2025-11-18T14:24:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T19:24:38","slug":"groups-of-five-2023","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rstptemp.turnbull.co\/en\/refugee-sponsorship\/groups-of-five-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Groups of Five"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"text-box theme-bg-primary\">\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">IMPORTANT!<\/span><\/strong> Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has temporarily stopped accepting new applications from Groups of Five and Community Sponsors under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program as of November 29, 2024.<\/p>\n<p>While this measure will remain in effect until December 31, 2025, IRCC will continue to process PSR applications already received prior to November 29, 2024, and to resettle sponsored refugees to Canada. <span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>More information<\/strong> can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/news\/notices\/temporary-pause-intake-refugee-sponsorship-applications-groups-five-community-sponsors.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>here.<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">As a\u00a0Group of Five, <\/span><span class=\"s8\">five Canadian citizens or permanent residents get<\/span><span class=\"s5\">\u00a0together to sponsor a refugee and his\/her dependents to Canada. More people can join the group to provide settlement support, however, supporting only five\u00a0group members sign the required application forms. By engaging in refugee sponsorship and signing the forms, the group commits to supporting the sponsored refugee(s):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s9\">Fi<\/span><span class=\"s5\">nancially<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s9\">E<\/span><span class=\"s5\">motionally<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s9\">A<\/span><span class=\"s5\">nd<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> with settlement support for the duration of the sponsorship period, which is usually 12 months from the date of arrival or until the sponsored refugees have become self-sufficient (<\/span><span class=\"s5\">whatever ever comes<\/span><span class=\"s5\">\u00a0first).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">Members of the group must be:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s8\">18 years of age or older<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">And<\/span> <span class=\"s8\">reside in the community<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> where the refugee is expected to settle.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">They must also prove that they have the necessary <\/span><span class=\"s8\">financial and human resources<\/span><span class=\"s5\">, expertise and commitment required to fulfill the terms of the sponsorship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">Refugee applicants must meet the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rstptemp.turnbull.co\/en\/refugees\/are-you-eligible-for-private-sponsorship-to-canada\/\"><span class=\"s11\">eligibility and admissibility criteria<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s5\"> for private refugee sponsorship to Canada. To <\/span><span class=\"s5\">be sponsored<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> by a Group of Five, the <\/span><span class=\"s8\">Principal Applicant must be:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s8\">Recognized formally as a refugee<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> in the country of asylum (where they currently reside)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s12\"><span class=\"s9\">A<\/span><span class=\"s5\">nd<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> be able to provide<\/span><span class=\"s8\"> documentary proof of this status<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> (such as a document issued by the state of that country or a document such as a refugee status recognition or \u2018mandate letter\u2019 by the UNHCR).<\/span> <span class=\"s5\">For further information regarding refugee status determination in different countries, visit the Summary of refugee registration and refugee status determination by Country of Asylum.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"s16\"><span class=\"s13\">If you require clarification about group membership, eligibility or any aspect of the application forms, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rstptemp.turnbull.co\/en\/contact-us\/\"><span class=\"s14\">contact us<\/span><\/a> <span class=\"s13\">at the RSTP.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group text-box theme-bg-secondary\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2>FAQs<\/h2>\n<p>Below are the steps necessary for a successful application, please click on the downward arrows to expand each section:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\" data-mobilecollapse=\"true\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"false\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\" style=\"color: #000000; \">1. Group Eligibility<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\">\n\n<p>Find out if you can be a member of a Group of Five and\/or whether your group can sponsor refugees\u2026<\/p>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">To be <\/span><span class=\"s8\">eligible<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> to sponsor as a Group of Five, you need <\/span><span class=\"s5\">five or more people<\/span><span class=\"s5\">. Each member of the group must:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s5\">Be 18 years of age or older,<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s5\">Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident,<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s5\">Reside in the community where the refugee will live, and<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s9\">Commit<\/span><span class=\"s5\">\u00a0to supporting the refugee financially and with settlement support for the duration of the sponsorship period (usually 12 months from the time of their arrival in Canada).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"s19\"><span class=\"s2\">Formed a group but unsure about financial eligibility, residency or other criteria?<\/span><span class=\"s17\"><br><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rstp.ca\/en\/contact-us\/\"><span class=\"s18\">Contact us!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">Some people cannot participate in a Group of Five sponsorship. Persons are <\/span><span class=\"s8\">ineligible<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> to sponsor refugees as a Group of Five if they:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s9\">H<\/span><span class=\"s5\">ave been convicted inside or outside Canada of a serious criminal offence as set out in Schedule I or II of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, if a period of five years has not elapsed since completion of the sentence; or<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s9\">A<\/span><span class=\"s5\">re in default of any court-ordered support payments (i.e. child support or a previous sponsorship); or<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s9\">A<\/span><span class=\"s5\">re subject to a removal order; or<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s9\">A<\/span><span class=\"s5\">re subject to a revocation proceeding under the Citizenship Act; or<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s20\"><span class=\"s9\">A<\/span><span class=\"s5\">re<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> detained in any penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-1-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\" style=\"color: #000000; \">2. Forming a Group<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-1-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\">\n\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">There is no prescribed method for forming a Group of Five.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">Most of the time, Groups of Five consist of individuals who are friends, family members and\/or individuals with a common interest. They come together on a one-time basis to sponsor a refugee or refugee family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">It is up to you to find individuals within your community, family, friends and colleagues that would be willing to assist you and the refugee applicant throughout the sponsorship. IRCC and the RSTP do not assist in this process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">If you cannot find the necessary number of people who are willing to commit time, energy and financial resources, you may need to consider other ways of sponsoring the refugee (e.g. Community Sponsor or Sponsorship Agreement Holder) or assisting the refugee abroad.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s8\">What if I can only find three other people?<\/span><span class=\"s8\"> Is it possible to submit a sponsorship with fewer than five people? <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">A Group of Five sponsorship must include <\/span><span class=\"s8\">at least five<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> individuals. That means that you can include more members in your group if possible, however, five must sign the application forms including the Undertaking. A\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"s5\">Group of Five sponsorship applications with fewer sponsors than five individuals <\/span><span class=\"s5\">will be rejected<\/span><span class=\"s5\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s16\"><span class=\"s5\">Remember that it is only necessary for three people (out of the five) to contribute financial resources as income support during the sponsorship. Therefore, the two other individuals would be involved in the provision of moral and logistical support with settlement tasks.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-2-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\" style=\"color: #000000; \">3. Financial Requirements<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-2-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\">\n\n<p class=\"s16\">How much money will I need for the sponsorship? How will my finances be assessed?<\/p>\n<p class=\"s16\">Each group member who makes a financial contribution, as well as the group as a whole, must show that they have sufficient financial resources available to support the sponsored refugee(s) for the duration of the sponsorship period (usually 12 months from time of arrival in Canada). Provincial social welfare rates and the Sponsorship Cost Table (see\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/application\/application-forms-guides\/guide-sponsor-refugee-groups-five.html#appendixA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Appendix A of the Instructions Guide<\/strong><\/a>) are used by the Resettlement Operations Centre in Ottawa (ROC-O) to determine whether a group member is financially eligible to participate in the sponsorship and whether the total funds pledged by group members are sufficient for a particular sponsorship undertaking.<\/p>\n<p class=\"s16\">Use the\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/application\/application-forms-guides\/guide-sponsor-refugee-groups-five.html#costtables\">Sponsorship Cost Table<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0as a guide to determine your required individual and group level of financial support.<\/p>\n<p class=\"s16\">Please note that the actual cost of the sponsorship may be higher than the amount listed in the Sponsorship Cost Table. When calculating the overall budget, the Group of Five can deduct the value of any in-kind donations they receive, such as furniture or housing. Please see the in-kind deductions table in\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/application\/application-forms-guides\/guide-sponsor-refugee-groups-five.html#appendixA\">Appendix A of the Instructions Guide<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0for the dollar amounts that can be deducted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"s16\">During the sponsorship period, the group is responsible for the basic needs of the sponsored refugee(s), including monthly income support. Given this, the sponsored persons will not require income support from the government through social assistance or welfare.<\/p>\n<p class=\"s16\">The Settlement Plan and Financial Assessment forms are\u00a0used by the\u00a0Resettlement Operations Centre in Ottawa (ROC-O) to assess whether your group is able to provide the necessary settlement assistance and financial support to help the sponsored person(s)\u00a0establish successfully in Canada during the sponsorship term. Group members contributing financially to the sponsorship should provide the amount of money they are committing towards the sponsorship, and if applicable, all other sources of funds. Please refer to the\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/application\/application-forms-guides\/guide-sponsor-refugee-groups-five.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instructions Guide<\/a><\/strong> or contact us for further information on the documents you will need to submit for the financial assessment, and for guidance in calculating your individual financial eligibility.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-3-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\" style=\"color: #000000; \">4. Who can be sponsored<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-3-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\">\n\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">The refugees you want to sponsor must meet the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rstp.ca\/en\/refugees\/are-you-eligible-for-private-sponsorship-to-canada\/\"><span class=\"s11\">eligibility criteria of the PSR program and <\/span><span class=\"s11\">must also<\/span><span class=\"s11\"> be admissible to Canada<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s5\">, in addition to having a Group of Five who is willing to sponsor them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">As noted above, the refugee whom your Group of Five would like to sponsor must have already been recognized or accepted as a refugee by <\/span><span class=\"s5\">either the<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> government of a <\/span><span class=\"s5\">foreign <\/span><span class=\"s5\">country or UNHCR and they must include a copy of their refugee status document with the application package. If the refugees you would like to sponsor have not been recognized or accepted as refugees by the government of a country or <\/span><span class=\"s5\">UNHCR, <\/span><span class=\"s5\">they <\/span><span class=\"s8\">cannot be sponsored by a Group of Five or a Community Sponsor<\/span><span class=\"s5\">. However, <\/span><span class=\"s5\">they can be sponsored by a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH)<\/span><span class=\"s5\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">Please <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rstp.ca\/en\/refugee-sponsorship\/sponsorship-agreement-holders\/\"><span class=\"s11\">click here<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s5\"> for information on how to sponsor refugees that have not been recognized or accepted as refugees with the assistance of a SAH.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">Generally speaking, refugees sponsored under the PSR program are persons who have left their country of nationality or country of habitual residence (if they are stateless); who would be at risk of persecution or suffering human rights violations if they were to return to their country of nationality or country of habitual residence; who are not able to live safely in the country they are currently in; and, who have no other options available to them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">For detailed information on the eligibility and admissibility requirements that refugees sponsored under the PSR program have to meet, please <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rstp.ca\/en\/refugees\/are-you-eligible-for-private-sponsorship-to-canada\/\"><span class=\"s11\">click here<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s5\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">When considering <\/span><span class=\"s5\">to sponsor<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> a refugee under the PSR program as a Group of Five, it may be helpful to ask the following questions to better understand whether they are eligible for sponsorship:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s5\">Are the refugees outside their country of nationality or their country of habitual residence (if there are stateless)?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s5\">Do the refugees meet the definition of the Convention Refugee Abroad Class or the Country of Asylum Class?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s5\">Have the refugees been recognized or accepted as refugees by the government of a country or UNHCR?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s5\">Can the refugees safely return to their country of nationality or their country of habitual residence and live <span class=\"s5\">their<span class=\"s5\"> in safety in with dignity?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s5\">Can the refugees stay in the country they are currently in (the country of asylum) and what rights do they have in the country they are <span class=\"s5\">currently in<span class=\"s5\">?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s5\">Do the refugees have an offer of resettlement to a country already available to them?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s5\">Is resettlement to Canada the only possible durable solution that is available to them in a reasonable <span class=\"s5\">period of time<span class=\"s5\">?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"s16\"><span class=\"s5\">If you <\/span><span class=\"s5\">have<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> any questions on whether the refugees you would like to sponsor under the PSR program as a Group of Five are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rstp.ca\/en\/refugees\/are-you-eligible-for-private-sponsorship-to-canada\/\"><span class=\"s11\">eligible\u00a0<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s5\">to be sponsored, please <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rstp.ca\/en\/contact-us\/\"><span class=\"s11\">contact your nearest RSTP Trainer<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s5\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-4-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\" style=\"color: #000000; \">5. Your Responsibilities<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-4-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\">\n\n<p>As a member of a refugee sponsor group, what am I responsible for?<\/p>\n<p>The sponsoring group is responsible to support the sponsored refugees financially and with settlement assistance, counselling and support for the duration of the sponsorship period, usually for one year from the date of the arrival of the refugee, but can be up to three years in exceptional circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>Specifically, members of the sponsoring group must provide:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Reception<br><\/strong>Receive the refugees at the airport, provide an orientation to life in Canada<\/p>\n<p><strong>Housing<br><\/strong>Provide suitable accommodation, basic furniture, and other household essentials<\/p>\n<p><strong>Care<br><\/strong>Provide food, clothing, local transportation costs and other basic necessities of life.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Sponsors provide ongoing friendship and emotional support.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Settlement Assistance and Support<\/strong>, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Providing orientation to the new community of residence<\/li>\n<li>Completing forms for IFH, provincial health insurance, social insurance number, child tax benefits, driver\u2019s license, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Finding an ESL\/FSL language class, tutoring, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Understanding the rights and responsibilities of permanent residents<\/li>\n<li>Learning about the Canadian job market, preparing a Canadian resume, employment search, job interviews, job search programs, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Making friends<\/li>\n<li>Learning about and accessing various types of services available in the community<\/li>\n<li>Assisting with the registration of children in schools<\/li>\n<li>Orienting to the Canadian school system<\/li>\n<li>Locating a family physician, dentist, other health services<\/li>\n<li>Becoming self-sufficient<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Your ability to support the sponsored refugee(s) will be assessed based on the settlement plan. The Settlement Plan is a planning tool for sponsoring groups to formulate how they intend to deliver the various aspects of settlement assistance needed to help the refugee applicant(s) establish successfully in Canada. Where practicable, the planned arrangements should be in place before the refugee arrives. All members must agree to this plan.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-5-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\" style=\"color: #000000; \">6. Application Forms<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-5-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\">\n\n<p>The application forms for both the Group of Five and the refugee(s) being sponsored can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rstp.ca\/en\/applications\/the-refugee-sponsorship-application-forms\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>You must follow the detailed instructions in the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/application\/application-forms-guides\/guide-sponsor-refugee-groups-five.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Guide for Groups of Five (IMM 2200)<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>As of January 01, 2024, all applications from Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs), Groups of Five and Community Sponsors for the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program must be submitted to IRCC via the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/immigrate-canada\/how-to-apply-online.html\">Permanent Residence Portal<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008] and Schedule A \u2013 Background\/Declaration must be completed directly in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/immigrate-canada\/how-to-apply-online.html\">Permanent Residence Portal<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>PDF versions of all other forms for both the sponsors and the refugees must be uploaded to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/immigrate-canada\/how-to-apply-online.html\">Permanent Residence Portal<\/a>. Required supporting documents must also be uploaded to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/services\/immigrate-canada\/how-to-apply-online.html\">Permanent Residence Portal<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-6-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\" style=\"color: #000000; \">7. The Application Process<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-6-1e9e6e76-c74c-44c5-a236-987be1b2f409\">\n\n<p><span class=\"s8\">What happens once the application package <\/span><span class=\"s8\">has been submitted<\/span><span class=\"s8\">?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s5\">When your application is received at the<\/span><span class=\"s5\">Resettlement Operations Centre in Ottawa (ROC-O)<\/span> <span class=\"s5\">the office will <\/span><span class=\"s5\">review<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> the application package to verify that all the required forms and supporting documents have been included.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s5\">If everything is in order, a file number (beginning with the letter <\/span><span class=\"s5\">\u2018<\/span><span class=\"s5\">G<\/span><span class=\"s5\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s5\">) <\/span><span class=\"s5\">will be issued<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> and an Acknowledgement of Receipt notification will be issued to the sponsoring group. This is an email and does not require any action on your part. You will require the G number to check on the status of the application and to communicate with IRCC regarding this case.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">If your application requires more information or correction, you will receive a letter from the ROC-O advising you of the action required and a <\/span><span class=\"s5\">time frame<\/span> <span class=\"s5\">within which you must provide the required information and\/or make the corrections and return the application to the ROC-O. If major documents are missing, ROC-O may return the entire application to the sponsoring group, without <\/span><span class=\"s5\">issuing a G number. Any corrected versions of the file will have to be mailed back and will be treated as a new application (receive a new date stamp).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">Once <\/span><span class=\"s5\">the sponsorship application has been approved by an Officer at the ROC-O<\/span><span class=\"s5\">, you will receive an approval letter from the ROC-O. <\/span><span class=\"s5\">After the sponsorship application <\/span><span class=\"s5\">has been assessed and approved at the ROC-O,<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> the file will be transferred to the visa office overseas for further processing. A decision about the refugee\u2019s application<\/span><span class=\"s5\">\u00a0for permanent residence <\/span><span class=\"s5\">is made<\/span><span class=\"s5\"> at this stage. The refugee applicant(s) will be invited for an eligibility interview and, if everything goes well, be provided with information about completing medical exams and other travel arrangements, including travel loans, exit visas and other preparations as needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s6\"><span class=\"s5\">In the meantime, you<\/span><span class=\"s5\">will receive a letter and\/or email notification that the principal refugee applicant<\/span><span class=\"s5\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s5\">s application <\/span><span class=\"s5\">has either been approved or refused by the visa office<\/span><span class=\"s5\">. Once approved, you can expect a Notice of Arrival Transmission (NAT) advising of the arrival date of the refugee(s) after the medical exam and security and criminality checks <\/span><span class=\"s5\">have been completed<\/span><span class=\"s5\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cic.gc.ca\/english\/information\/times\/perm\/ref-private.asp\"><span class=\"s11\">Click here for information on average processing times for overseas visa offices.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>IMPORTANT! Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has temporarily stopped accepting new applications from Groups of Five and Community Sponsors under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program as of November 29, 2024.<br \/>\nWhile this measure will remain in effect until December 31, 2025, IRCC will continue to process PSR applications already received prior to November 29,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":5,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"10660,8101,22821,22013,14561,13825","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":""},"class_list":["post-16364","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"featured_image_src":null,"ticketed":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rstptemp.turnbull.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16364","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rstptemp.turnbull.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rstptemp.turnbull.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rstptemp.turnbull.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rstptemp.turnbull.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16364"}],"version-history":[{"count":39,"href":"https:\/\/rstptemp.turnbull.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16364\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32352,"href":"https:\/\/rstptemp.turnbull.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16364\/revisions\/32352"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rstptemp.turnbull.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rstptemp.turnbull.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16364"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}