The Canadian government allows at-risk Afghans who are sponsored by a Group of Five (G5) to resettle in Canada under a special humanitarian program. This humanitarian visa falls under the Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSR) category, specifically allocated for Afghans by the Canadian government. Through this program, Afghans who receive financial support from a Group of Five can obtain permanent residence visas, migrate to Canada, and settle there.
This article analyzes the conditions and steps for obtaining a humanitarian visa or asylum through a Group of Five sponsorship.
General Conditions for Humanitarian Visa
Women leaders, human rights defenders, religious or ethnic minorities, LGBTQ individuals, journalists, and those who have assisted Canadian media and journalists and are now at risk due to recent political changes are eligible to apply for a Canadian humanitarian visa. A spouse or common-law partner and dependent children under 22 years old are also eligible for resettlement.
To qualify for this special program, applicants must:
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Be Afghan nationals
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Have no legal barriers preventing them from entering Canada
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Not be inadmissible to Canada
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Possess the necessary documents to qualify under one of the accepted categories for a Canadian humanitarian visa
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Have left Afghanistan and settled in another country
Eligible applications for humanitarian visas under Group of Five sponsorship may be considered for migration to Canada.
Group of Five Sponsorship
If individuals have financial support from a Group of Five, they can immigrate to Canada. These groups must financially support the refugees or individuals introduced to the Canadian government for up to one year, covering living costs such as furniture, essentials, monthly expenses, and providing social and emotional support.
Applicants can contact a Group of Five in Canada and agree that the group will cover some or all of their expenses. Each group member must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years old, live in the same province where the refugee is expected to settle, and commit to one year of financial support. Members must have a resettlement plan and prove they can afford the sponsorship costs, which depend on the size of the sponsored family. Each sponsor must provide a Canadian passport, birth certificate, permanent residence card, and other required documents to the Canadian government to qualify as a Group of Five member.
Five Afghan citizens with good financial status and Canadian citizenship can form a group to sponsor friends, family members, and other eligible individuals for resettlement in Canada. For more details on forming a Group of Five, visit the IRCC guide.
Applying through a Group of Five
Groups of Five meeting Canadian government criteria can sponsor eligible individuals and submit asylum or humanitarian visa applications on their behalf. For comprehensive guidance on form completion and application submission, refer to the application guide.
Group of Five Sponsorship Forms:
Detailed form completion instructions can be found here.
Forms for Sponsored Individuals:
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IMM5476E - Use of a Representative (if applicable)
Comprehensive form completion instructions for sponsored individuals are available here.
Where to Send Applications
Groups of Five must email the complete application package to IRCC.INROCO-CORORI.IRCC@cic.gc.ca. After submission, sponsors receive a confirmation email. Additionally, they should submit the physical application package to:
Resettlement Operations Centre in Ottawa (ROC-O)
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1
For guidelines, conditions, criteria, and specifications on application submission, refer to the application guide.
Important Application Points:
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Provide accurate information
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Submit documents in PDF format
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Ensure high-quality, readable documents
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Arrange forms separately
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Ensure individual form sizes do not exceed 5 MB
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Total application size should not exceed 10 MB
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Do not send documents in a Zip Folder
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Attach all required documents
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Confirm application receipt through an automatic reply
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Use the subject line: "G5 Application – Principle Applicant FAMILY NAME, First name"
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Keep copies of all submitted forms
Application Review
The Resettlement Operations Centre in Ottawa (ROC-O) reviews the application and supporting documents. Each application receives a G-Number, which helps identify the application and allows sponsors to complete any missing documents. Check application status here.
Acceptance and Post-Acceptance Steps
The final decision on refugee resettlement applications is made by ROC-O, where an immigration officer assesses whether the sponsorship organization meets the financial support criteria. If approved, the decision is communicated via email. The application is then electronically transferred to the relevant Canadian embassy or political representative for further processing. Sponsors and supported individuals may need to provide additional documents as requested. ROC-O will guide applicants through subsequent steps.
Upon arrival in Canada, a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer will meet the supported individuals, verify their travel documents, and issue the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). The Group of Five sponsors will assist with initial settlement, including finding permanent housing, and providing financial support and essential services for up to one year to help newcomers integrate and become self-sufficient. It is essential for the sponsored individuals to have realistic expectations and work towards a good life in Canada.
Permanent Residence in Canada
The IRCC sends the Permanent Resident Card to the provided address. If there is a change in address, it should be updated promptly with the IRCC.
Sponsorship in Quebec
Refugee sponsorship processes are uniform across Canada except in Quebec, which has its own procedures. Groups of Five in Quebec must follow specific guidelines. For more information, visit the Quebec immigration website and the collective sponsorship page.
If the Application is Rejected
If an application is rejected, the decision and reasons are communicated via email. A new, complete application must be submitted, as adding missing documents to the previous application is not allowed.
Who is Not Eligible?
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Applicants with a sustainable protection option elsewhere
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Applicants who might become citizens of another country
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Applicants who have fled their country and then returned
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Applicants whose reasons for leaving their country are no longer valid
For comprehensive information on private sponsorship, visit the IRCC guide.
Forms and Resources:
By meeting the eligibility criteria and following the application guidelines, at-risk Afghans can successfully navigate the Group of Five sponsorship program and begin a new life in Canada.
Ask for help from "Beporsed"
For those Afghans seeking specific information, "Beporsed" is here to help. You can reach our information center through WhatsApp (+93729807235), Facebook Messenger, or our website's Messenger to ask our online information desk officer for assistance.
For more information
For more information on immigration, resettlement, education and scholarship programs, and other opportunities available to Afghans worldwide, as well as details on the humanitarian services provided by international organizations in Afghanistan and procedures for obtaining civil documents from governmental institutions, please visit Beporsed's website and social media pages.
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