The Canadian government allows at-risk Afghans with financial sponsorship or sponsorship from private organizations to resettle in Canada under a special humanitarian refugee program. This program, often referred to as the Canada Special Humanitarian Visa for Afghans through Sponsorship, is part of the Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSR) program initiated by the Canadian government for Afghans. Through this program, Afghans receive permanent humanitarian residency visas, migrate to Canada, and are resettled with the support of their sponsors.
Eligible Afghan citizens can immigrate to Canada through three types of sponsorship: organizational sponsorship, Group of Five sponsorship, and community sponsorship. This article analyzes the conditions and steps for obtaining refugee status through sponsoring organizations.
Who is Eligible for the Humanitarian Visa?
Women leaders, human rights defenders, religious or ethnic minorities, LGBTQ individuals, journalists, those who have assisted Canadian journalists, and those who are at risk or persecuted due to recent political changes are eligible to apply for the Canadian humanitarian visa. A spouse or life partner and dependent children under 22 years old are also eligible for resettlement in Canada.
General Conditions
To be eligible for this special program, the applicant must:
- Be a national of Afghanistan
- Have no legal barriers to entry into Canada
- Not be inadmissible to Canada
- Provide the necessary documents to be included in one of the accepted categories for the Canadian humanitarian visa
- Have left Afghanistan and be residing in another country
If these conditions are met, their humanitarian visa application through the private sponsorship program may be accepted for immigration to Canada.
Organizational Sponsorship
If individuals are financially sponsored by a private organization, they can migrate to Canada. These financial sponsors or sponsoring organizations can be Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) with the Canadian government, who support refugees during resettlement. These organizations must financially support the refugees for up to one year, covering all living costs, including:
- Initial living expenses, such as providing furniture, clothing, and other essentials
- Monthly costs for essential needs such as housing, food, and public transportation
- Social and emotional support for sponsored individuals
How to Find Sponsoring Organizations?
Eligible applicants can go to this link, select the province where they want to resettle, and view the list of sponsoring organizations. Applicants then contact these organizations, convince them to provide financial sponsorship, and follow their guidance.
Application Process by Sponsoring Organization
Canada offers limited resettlement opportunities to sponsoring organizations, meaning most refugees cannot be considered for resettlement in a single year. These organizations submit all information about eligible applicants under a single application to the Canadian government. Typically, the organizations and sponsoring groups prepare the refugee applications and send them to the Canadian government.
The private sponsorship refugee program is open annually during specific periods. For example, in 2022, the program was open from May 30 to August 31.
Forms for Sponsoring Organizations
After identifying those needing protection and eligible for refugee status in Canada, sponsoring organizations go to this link and download the following forms:
- IMM 5373E: Information on the sponsoring organization
- IMM 5440E: Resettlement plan in Canada
- IMM 5492E: Sponsoring organization assessment
- IMM 5956E: Type of sponsorship (optional)
Sponsoring organizations are well-versed in completing these forms. If needed, organizations can refer to the complete guide for filling out these forms.
Forms for Applicants
Eligible refugee applicants go to this link and download the following forms:
- IMM 0008ENU: General application form
- IMM 5669E: Applicant information
- IMM 0008: For each applicant aged 18 and over
- IMM 5476E: For representatives completing the forms on behalf of the applicants
The complete guide on filling out these forms should be referred to. Note that sponsoring organizations usually complete these forms for the applicants.
Submission of Applications
The sponsoring organization sends the complete application package via email to IRCC.INROCO-CORORI.IRCC@cic.gc.ca. After submission, the sponsor receives an immediate confirmation email. The Canadian government recommends sending the application package physically to:
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Resettlement Operations Centre in Ottawa (ROC-O)
Sponsorship Agreement Holder Unit
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, ON K1A 1L1
The complete guidelines on submitting the application should be reviewed.
Important Application Points
- Provide honest information
- Send documents in PDF format
- Ensure high-quality, readable documents
- Separate forms into six individual files
- Each form should not exceed 5 MB
- The total application should not exceed 10 MB
- Do not send documents in a Zip folder
- Attach required documents
- Ensure receipt of an automatic reply confirming submission
- Include the title "SAH Sponsorship Application – Principle Applicant FAMILY NAME, First name" in the email subject
- Keep copies of all submitted forms
Application Review
The Resettlement Operations Centre in Ottawa (ROC-O) reviews the submitted application and supporting documents. A G-number is assigned to each application for identification. If documents are incomplete, ROC-O contacts the sponsor for completion.
Application Acceptance
The final decision on accepting applicants as refugees for resettlement is made by ROC-O. An immigration officer reviews the application and supporting documents to ensure the sponsoring organization meets the financial support criteria. Conditions and criteria for financial support should be reviewed.
If the immigration officer is satisfied, the organization's application to sponsor eligible individuals is approved, and the decision is communicated via email to the sponsor. The application is then electronically transferred to the relevant Canadian embassy or political representation. Further guidance for necessary next steps is provided by ROC-O.
After Application Acceptance
After acceptance, the Canadian embassy contacts the individuals and informs them of the approval. Before issuing the humanitarian visa, applicants must:
- Complete medical examinations and provide related documents
- Undergo security screening to ensure no criminal activity
- Submit biometric information, including fingerprints and a digital photo
Upon successful completion of these steps, Canada ensures that applicants have not committed serious crimes, do not pose a security risk, and have no identity fraud. They are then considered eligible refugees for resettlement.
After Migration to Canada
When the refugees arrive in Canada, a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer meets them to verify travel documents, including passports and permanent residence visas. The officer issues a [Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides
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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