Canada Hits the Pause Button on Refugee Sponsorship Applications for Groups of Five and Community Sponsors

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:

1. 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.
2. Purpose of the Pause:
   • This measure aims to manage the backlog, prevent further inventory growth, and achieve shorter, more predictable processing times.
3. 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.
4. 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.