Immigration Blog about US & Canadian Immigration matters.

Eligibility of the Group of Five

First and foremost, in order to sponsor a refugee, make sure you are a group of five or more Canadian citizens, Registered Indians, or permanent residents who are 18 years of age or older and who live (or have representatives) in the community where the refugees are expected to live. This group of people is called the Group of Five. Sponsors need to have collectively arranged necessary settlement to financially support the principal applicant (the refugee) for the full duration of the sponsorship. The sponsors are also obligated to fulfill the terms of the Sponsorship Undertaking.

Who is not Eligible to Sponsor a Refugee

Like any other sponsorships, a person who has been convicted in Canada of the offence of murder or other offences, and five years have not passed since the completion of the person’s sentence, then this person is ineligible to sponsor a refugee. A person who has been convicted of an offence outside Canada, and five years have not elapsed since the completion of the person’s sentence imposed under a foreign law, then this person is also ineligible to sponsor a refugee.

Can you apply for Refugee Protection from outside of Canada?

Yes, you can apply from outside of Canada if you are outside of your country. This however, can be a difficult process in most cases. In order to start this process you must first apply to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

By taking this step you will be asked to prove that there is no way that you can be settled in the country that are currently residing in. You will usually also have to show that you are going to be economically successful in Canada if you come.