Why the Pause?

The PSR Program has been highly successful, enabling thousands of refugees to resettle in Canada each year thanks to the support of private sponsors. But this success has also led to an overwhelming number of applications, creating a large and growing inventory of pending cases. Processing times have steadily increased, which makes it challenging to meet resettlement targets in a timely manner.

As of November 29, 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has temporarily stopped accepting new applications for refugee sponsorship from Groups of Five and Community Sponsors. This decision was made to manage the growing application inventory and align with Canada’s immigration levels plan for 2025-2027.

The pause will remain in effect until December 31, 2025, allowing IRCC to address the backlog and improve processing times.

What Does This Mean for Existing Applications?

If you have already submitted an application under the Groups of Five or Community Sponsor categories, there is no need to worry. This pause will not affect your application. IRCC will continue processing all applications already in the system, and these will be processed according to the 2025 refugee resettlement targets.

The goal for 2025 is to welcome 23,000 privately sponsored refugees through the PSR Program. While new applications from Groups of Five and Community Sponsors are paused, IRCC will continue to prioritize and process the applications already in the queue.

What Does the Pause Achieve?

The temporary halt in new applications is designed to:

• Manage the application inventory: With the high number of applications exceeding available sponsorship spaces, this pause will help prevent further growth in the backlog, allowing IRCC to streamline processing times for existing cases.
• Ensure fair and predictable processing times: By reducing the intake of new applications, IRCC aims to provide more certainty and clarity for both refugees and sponsors regarding when cases can be processed.
• Maintain program integrity: By stabilizing the program, Canada ensures that the Private Sponsorship of Refugees program remains fair, effective, and sustainable over the long term.

What Options Do Sponsors Have During the Pause?

While the Groups of Five and Community Sponsors categories are temporarily closed, there are still other ways to sponsor refugees. Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAH), which are organizations with an agreement to sponsor refugees, can still submit applications under the PSR program.

If you are a Group of Five or Community Sponsor who was hoping to submit an application, consider reaching out to a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) as an alternative pathway for sponsorship during this period.

What Happens After December 31, 2025?

The pause on new applications will remain in effect until the end of 2025. During this period, IRCC will evaluate the program’s capacity, consult with stakeholders, and assess the impact of the pause on the refugee sponsorship community. Following this, IRCC will review the situation and determine if new applications from Groups of Five and Community Sponsors can resume.

Continuing Support for Sponsors and Refugees

IRCC acknowledges the impact this decision will have on the refugee sponsorship community. The government is committed to working closely with stakeholders, including sponsorship organizations and community partners, to ensure that the program remains robust and continues to operate effectively.

During this period, Canada will continue its efforts to resettle refugees who are already in the sponsorship process, ensuring that refugees waiting to be resettled will continue to receive the support they need.

Conclusion

Canada’s commitment to refugee resettlement through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees program remains unwavering. The temporary pause on new applications from Groups of Five and Community Sponsors is a necessary step to ensure the program’s continued success and to manage the current backlog effectively. This decision will help create a more efficient and predictable process for both sponsors and refugees.

For more information about the current changes to the program and how to apply for sponsorship through other available channels, please visit the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.