On November 29, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a temporary pause 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 will remain in effect until December 31, 2025. This decision was made to address the growing backlog of applications under the PSR Program. The number of private sponsorship applications has consistently exceeded the available spaces under Canada’s immigration levels plan, leading to lengthy processing times and uncertainty for sponsors and applicants alike. Key Points to Note: Pause on New Applications: No new applications from groups of five or community sponsors will be accepted during this period. Applications submitted before November 29, 2024, will still be processed. Purpose of the Pause: This measure aims to manage the backlog, prevent further inventory growth, and achieve shorter, more predictable processing times. 2025 Target: Canada plans to resettle 23,000 privately sponsored refugees in 2025 under the PSR Program. We feel this figure remains much too high and that Canada should further reduce its resettlement program in light of Canada’s economic and social pressures. Future Adjustments: IRCC has indicated that this pause will allow time to assess and implement longer-term program improvements, including new intake measures. What This Means for Sponsors and Refugees Sponsors who were planning to submit applications during this period will need to reconsider their timelines or explore alternative sponsorship options. Applications already submitted will continue to be processed, but delays may persist due to the current inventory size. This decision impacts sponsors, delivery partners, and the broader refugee sponsorship community. Stakeholders should prepare for the effects of this pause and plan accordingly for 2026, when the intake may reopen. Back to all posts Share this post:
Richa Jain Our biggest dilemma while researching for an Immigration Consultant was someone we could trust and that could manage our application well. We are so glad to have found Borders Law Firm. Devika gave us exceptional guidance due to which we got ICT Work Permit approval. Big thanks and appreciation for Jenny Mao for such professionalism and dexterity shown while handling our application. Kudos to BLF team for their superb work and simply for the trustworthiness they have ..… Best Wishes !
Neha K Borders Law firm - Devika OMG where do I start from.... so I got her number from my CA who I have been getting my taxes filed from last ten years. I was not sure what will happen to my mom's files becuase I had already tried four times before and everytime there was something or the other that happened and my application was not accepted... Devika has been my good luck, an angel in my life and a miracle believe it or not. I wish I could give you the details about why it was so so so important for my mom to get this immigration but unfortunately I can't share my personal details but I can tell you all one thing, that Devika and her team not only helped me with my mom's immigration case but also helped me with her super visa extension and all other obstacles we faced. I had no idea that my file can get approved so fast. Today I feel like my dream of having my mom here permanently came true all because of Devika.She is very knowledgeable, super patient, went out of her way to do, spent extra hours assisting me and completing this file. Always understood and heard my issues, with patience. I don't know how many times I cried with her and she always gave me hope and strength to be patient and wait for the approval. Honestly I am very impressed how she adds human touch to her immigration cases and treats the families with so much love and always been very professional as well. Devika is the best, she has an awesome awesome team. I can go on and on and on about her. I always suggest my friends her name and tell them about her services.It feels so good when I give her number to people in need of a good immigration lawyer, because in my heart I know that Devika will be able to help them with their immigration very well.She is the best Thank you Devika for being a great lawyer,a great human being and an angel in my life. Himanshi (Mansi)
Annie Caplan Devika and John were excellent. They understood how this process would change my life and helped me get to the US. John was extremely kind and thorough. When my employer in the US ended up trying to take advantage of me, they helped me transfer my visa to a new employer and had so much empathy for my situation and now I have a job in California that makes me so happy while helping others. I am beyond grateful for their kindness and service. I will be using them for any changes to my status going forward.
Rajvir Singh We hired Devika mam's service for Judicial Review and they have done a fabulous work for us all the staff is super..oliver who assisted devika mam in our case also done very hard work..we highly recommend BORDERS LAW FIRM in any kind of immigration matters.