The Government of Canada has announced a temporary suspension on the intake of new refugee sponsorship applications from groups of five and community sponsors under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program. This pause, effective November 29, 2024, will remain in place until December 31, 2025, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) works to address significant application backlogs and streamline processing times.
Why the Pause?
The PSR Program, a cornerstone of Canada’s humanitarian efforts for over four decades, has helped resettle hundreds of thousands of refugees. However, its success has also led to growing demand and an accumulation of applications exceeding the spaces allocated under Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan. The pause aims to:
- Control Application Backlogs: Prevent further growth of the application inventory, which has resulted in lengthy processing delays.
- Improve Processing Times: Provide refugees and sponsors with shorter, more predictable wait times.
- Align with Immigration Targets: Ensure processing stays on track with the plan to welcome 23,000 privately sponsored refugees in 2025.
What This Means for Sponsors
While the intake of new applications is paused, IRCC will continue processing all applications submitted before November 29, 2024. Existing applications will be processed based on the targets outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–2027.
Sponsors should also note that this measure applies specifically to groups of five and community sponsors. Other sponsorship streams, such as Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs), remain unaffected.
What You Can Do
If you are part of a group of five or a community sponsor looking to support refugees, we recommend staying informed about updates to the program and considering alternative sponsorship avenues. Our team can help you navigate these changes and identify viable pathways to continue your sponsorship efforts.
Our Commitment to Assisting You
At Fridman & Company, we are dedicated to guiding our clients through Canada’s evolving immigration landscape. If you need assistance, please contact us at 204-944-8889 or email us at lawoffice@fridman.ca for personalized support.
For the full news release and further details, please visit the official Government of Canada website.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific guidance, consult an immigration lawyer.