Temporary Pause on Private Refugee Sponsorship Applications by Groups of Five and Community Sponsors

Date: November 29, 2024

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a temporary pause on the intake of refugee sponsorship applications from Groups of Five and Community Sponsors under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program, effective November 29, 2024. This measure aims to address the growing inventory of applications and reduce lengthy processing times. The pause will remain in effect until December 31, 2025.

Reasons for the Decision

The PSR Program, a successful model for over 40 years, has provided hope and opportunities for thousands of refugees. However, the high demand for private sponsorship has led to a significant backlog of applications, exceeding the annual intake capacity established under Canada’s immigration levels plan.

Objectives of the Temporary Pause

• Provide greater certainty for refugees abroad and their sponsors in Canada.
• Prevent further growth in the application inventory.
• Achieve shorter and more predictable processing times for applicants and sponsors.

Status of Existing Applications

IRCC will continue processing applications submitted before the pause date. Canada aims to welcome 23,000 privately sponsored refugees in 2025, aligning with targets set in the immigration levels plan.

Impact and Future Steps

IRCC recognizes the impact this measure may have on the refugee sponsorship community and delivery partners. The department will work closely with stakeholders to adjust to these changes and explore long-term improvements to the PSR Program, including future intake measures.

This decision was informed by stakeholder feedback, the current size of the application inventory, and the capacity outlined in the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan.