A Community Sponsor is an organization, association or corporation who sponsors refugees to come to Canada.

It is not necessary that the organization, association or corporation be incorporated under federal or provincial law. The organization must have the financial capacity to fulfill the sponsorship undertaking and must be located in the community where the refugee is expected to settle. In addition, Community Sponsors must also provide evidence of settlement capability such as provide emotional and social support to a refugee and his / her family and commit to supporting the sponsored refugees for the period of the sponsorship undertaking, usually for one year.

Community Sponsors can submit a maximum of two sponsorship applications per year.

The Community Sponsor may also choose to partner formally with an individual (for example, a family member of the sponsored refugee living in Canada) and/or another organization in carrying out settlement duties. 

Read more about sponsorship as a Community Sponsor in the RSTP Sponsoring Group Handbook for Community Groups.

To download and print application forms for community sponsorships, please click here.