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Dictionary of Terms

 

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Admissibility. For Convention refugees abroad and members of the country of asylum and source country classes, admissibility includes both the statutory requirements (medical, security, criminality) and an assessment of applicants ability to establish themselves successfully in Canada.
Admission. Permission to come into Canada as an immigrant or as a visitor.

Admissibility loan. Refugees selected for resettlement are required to pay their own cost of medical exams and travel. The admissibility loan is a loan issued by a visa officer overseas to eligible applicants to help them pay for their medical exams and other processing costs.

Applicant. Person making an application for permanent residence.

Assistance loan. This loan is assessed and issued by a visa officer in Canada after the arrival of the refugee. It is designed to help the refugee with living expenses associated with the basic needs of life, basic household needs, i.e. deposits for telephone or last months rent, or labour market access.

 

B

Blended sponsorship. A sponsorship undertaking whereby both CIC and a SAH contribute to the financial support of the refugee(s). The period of financial support during which each party contributes is established with the agreement of both parties. The SAH has responsibility for the reception and settlement assistance for the refugees for the term of the sponsorship. Other responsibilities such as start-up-costs may also be undertaken by the sponsor.

 

C

Care. The provision of food, clothing, local transportation costs and other basic necessities of life to the refugees.

Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB). Delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency, the Canada Child Tax Benefit includes a base amount for all children under 18, and a National Child Benefit supplement for low income families.

Community sponsors. Any organization (for-profit/not-for-profit, incorporated/non-incorporated) located in the community where the refugees are expected to settle can make an organizational commitment to sponsor. Unlike SAHs and their CGs, Community Sponsors are limited to submitting two sponsorship undertakings a year and must undergo financial and settlement plan assessments by their local Citizenship and Immigration Centre each time they wish to sponsor. Like G5s, Community Sponsors must demonstrate that the organization is willing and able to commit funds toward the sponsorship in line with the levels established in the sponsorship cost table (included in the Community Sponsors application kit).

Computer Assisted Immigration Processing System (CAIPS). Citizenship and Immigration Canada's tracking systems for cases processed overseas. Local CIC offices have access to CAIPS. Sponsorship Agreement Holders can place a request for CAIPS notes to CIC under the Access to Information Act.

Constituent Group (CG). A group authorized in writing by the SAH to act on its behalf in sponsoring refugees. Please also refer to section 138 "group" of IRPR. A SAH can authorize any number of Constituent Groups (CGs) to sponsor under its agreement and provide support to the sponsored refugees. Each SAH sets its own criteria for recognizing CGs. CGs are based in the sponsored refugee's expected community of settlement and must have their sponsorship application and settlement plan approved by their SAH before the undertaking is submitted to a Citizenship and Immigration Centre.

Convention refugee. The definition of a Convention refugee is based on that contained in the 1951 Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. A Convention refugee is any person who, by reason of a well-founded fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion,
  • is outside the country of his or her nationality and is unable or, by reason of that fear, unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country; or,
  • not having a country of nationality, is outside the country of his or her former habitual residence and is unable or, by reason of that fear, unwilling to return to that country.
Convention refugee abroad. Any person who:
  • is a Convention refugee; 
  • is outside Canada;
  • is seeking resettlement in Canada; 
  • does not have a prospect of another durable solution, within a reasonable period of time, that is:
    • cannot return to his or her country of nationality or habitual residence;
    • cannot integrate in the country of refuge or the country of first asylum; and
    • does not have another offer of resettlement from a country other than Canada;
  • will be privately sponsored or assisted by the government or has adequate financial resources to support himself or herself and any dependants.

Cosponsor. An individual or organization that partners with a SAH to share responsibility for an undertaking. Derived from the meaning of "group" as found in Section 138 of IRPR. A sponsoring group may choose to formally partner with an individual (e.g., a family member of the sponsored refugee living in Canada) and/or another organization in carrying out settlement duties. The partner is termed a "cosponsor".

Country of asylum class. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations defines a member of the Country of Asylum Class (RA) as a person
  • who is outside his or her country of citizenship or habitual residence; 
  • who has been, and continues to be, seriously and personally affected by civil war or armed conflict or who has suffered massive violations of human rights;
  • for whom there is no possibility of finding an adequate solution to his or her situation within a reasonable period of time; and
  • who will be privately sponsored or who has adequate financial resources to support himself or herself and any dependants.
Country of citizenship. Country of citizenship is the country with which the applicant has the legal bond of nationality. In most cases, this will be the country that has issued the applicant's passport.

Criminal inadmissibility. As with other permanent residents, refugees are inadmissible to Canada if they have been convicted of serious crimes, war crimes or crimes against humanity or have committed acts or omissions that would render them inadmissible to Canada. Please note that Article 31 of the 1951 Convention stipulates that contracting states shall not impose penalties on refugees on account of illegal entrySee A36 and A37.
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D

De facto dependant. A de facto dependant is a person who does not meet the definition of family member but who is nonetheless considered by the Principal Applicant (PA) to be an integral member of the family unit. The Visa Officer must be satisfied that this person is dependent on the family unit in which membership is claimed and cannot apply as a family member. The dependency may be emotional or economic and will often be a combination of these factors. Such a person would normally, but not exclusively, reside with the PA as a member of the same household and must be the dependants of a PA who has been determined to be a member of one of the three refugee classes. The de facto dependant must also meet the definition of refugee in his own right even when a dependency relationship is established. (See IP3, Part 1 Section 6.11)


Dependant. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations defines "dependant" in respect of a person as
  1. the spouse or common-law partner of the person;
  2. a dependent child of the person, dependent child of their spouse, or dependent child of a common-law partner; or
  3. a dependent child of a dependent child referred to in paragraph (b).

Deputy Head or its Delegate. The Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) or the Director General of the Refugee Branch of CIC or the Director, Resettlement.
Destining. Destining is the process whereby best efforts are made to send (destine) refugees to a location within Canada, where community resources and services will best support their resettlement and integration needs.

Durable solution. The three durable solutions for refugees and persons in "refugee-like" situations are:
  1. Voluntary repatriation or resettlement in their country of nationality or habitual residence:
    Voluntary repatriation should occur only when the situation in the country of habitual or permanent residence has changed in a lasting and meaningful way and refugees can return in conditions of safety and dignity. If the country is made up of many ethnic groups, officers should bear in mind that some individuals could be safely repatriated while others could not. There are a variety of reasons why some individuals may not be able to return safely when others can, including political opinion, religion and personal experience (e.g. survivors of torture or rape for whom it would be re-traumatizing to return, or individuals who would be social outcasts like the forced slaves of combatants.) The UNHCR is an excellent source of information on such conditions.
  2. Integration in their country of asylum:
    Refugees are considered to be locally integrated in the country of refuge if they have rights similar to those of citizens such as: they can move around the country freely; they are allowed to earn a living; their children are allowed to attend school; there is no threat of refoulement, etc.
  3. Resettlement to a third country:
    Resettlement is intended for those refugees without local integration prospects. Resettlement may also be used as an instrument of protection geared primarily to the special needs of refugees whose life, liberty, safety, health or fundamental human rights are at risk in the country where they sought refuge. It is used for refugees unable to benefit from the other two solutions.
  4. Internal Flight Alternative:
    (IFA) There is a fourth type of durable solution that may exist for refugees and persons in refugee-like situations who have not fled their country of nationality. There may be an internal flight alternative for the refugee. IFA involves the consideration of whether the individual could have found a safe haven in another location within the country of nationality or residence at the time of their flight. If so, they will not need Canada's protection. (See Section 1.5)
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E

Eligibility. To be eligible for resettlement, three conditions must be met:
The applicant must:

  • meet the definition of one of the following:

    • Convention refugee abroad class (CR);

    • Humanitarian-protected persons abroad class (HPC) which includes:

    • Country of asylum class (RA);or

    • Source country class (RS);

  • not have any other durable solutions
  • demonstrate their ability to establish themselves successfully in Canada.

Applicants are not eligible if they have:

  • not met the definition of a Convention refugee abroad or humanitarian protected persons abroad class (Country of asylum class or Source country class);
  • committed a crime against peace, a war crime, or a crime against humanity, as defined in the international instruments drawn up to make provision in respect of such crimes;
  • committed a serious non-political crime outside the country of refuge prior to his admission to that country as a refugee; or
  • been found guilty of acts contrary to the purpose and principles of the United Nations

F

Family member. A family member, for resettlement purposes, is a person who can be included on the principal applicant's (PA) application. Consistent with the use of appropriate discretion and flexibility in assessing refugees, the concept of family, for refugee resettlement purposes, should be considered to include those who currently may be included on the principal applicant's application (i.e. spouse, common-law partner and dependent children of the spouses or common-law partner or the dependent children of the dependent children of the spouses or common-law partners - regardless of whether they are physically at the same location).
 

G

Government. Government of Canada as represented by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, henceforth called "Citizenship and Immigration Canada" (CIC).
Government-assisted Refugees (GARs). Each year, the Government of Canada plans for the resettlement of a number of refugees from abroad and supports these refugees through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP). Under RAP, the refugees are supported at approximately the equivalent of local provincial social assistance levels for up to twelve months after their arrival in Canada. Government-assisted refugees include both Convention refugees abroad and members of the Source country class. They are selected from applicants referred by the UNHCR or other designated referral agents, or, in countries deemed to have direct access, present themselves on their own initiative to visa offices.

Group of five G-5. Refugees may be sponsored by any group of five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents who:
  • are at least 18 years of age;
  • live in the community where the refugees are expected to settle;
  • are not in default on any other sponsorship undertaking; and
  • have the necessary resources to guarantee support for the full duration of the sponsorship, usually up to a 12-month period.

G5 sponsorship groups are often:

  • one-time groups; and
  • formed in response to special situations that arise.
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H

Humanitarian and protected persons abroad. A person in similar circumstances to a Convention refugee (CR) who is a member of one of the following Humanitarian protected persons abroad classes: Country of Asylum Class (RA) and Source Country Class (RS). Refer to Section 146 of IRPR.

I

Interim Federal Health Program (IFH): A health program established by CIC that provides temporary medical coverage for refugees during the settlement period in Canada prior to their qualification for provincial health care coverage. Thereafter, refugees are eligible for partial limited coverage for the duration of the sponsorship period where provincial health care does not cover services provided by IFH.

The IFH provides all resettled refugees with the following medical benefits until provincial health insurance is available:

  • essential and emergency health services for:
    • the treatment and prevention of serious medical conditions; and
    • the treatment of emergency dental conditions;
  • contraception, prenatal and obstetrical care;
  • approved prescription medications, and
  • the cost of an immigration medical examination by a designated medical practitioner (DMP) when the refugee is unable to pay.

For the first 12 months in Canada (or longer if RAP is extended), other types of benefits may be provided with the proper pre-authorization, for example:

  • eye glasses;
  • prostheses;
  • wheelchairs;
  • second and subsequent psychiatric consultations; and
  • routine medical examinations.
For more information click here: IFH 
Immigrant loans program. A loan program established by CIC that provides admissibility, transportation, and assistance loans to refugees and their family members. Refer to section 289 of IRPR, and the inland and overseas processing chapters IP19 and OP17.
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Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). An Act respecting immigration to Canada and the granting of refugee protection to persons who are displaced, persecuted or in danger which came into effect June 28, 2002.
Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). Detailed instructions that have been placed in Regulations to accompany IRPA.
Inland Processing Chapter 3 (IP3). A chapter of the CIC Inland Processing Manual that explains the policy and procedures for the refugee resettlement program in Canada, including the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program (PSRP) and Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP).

Inland and Overseas Processing Chapters 19 and 17 (IP19 and OP17). Two chapters of the CIC Inland and Overseas Processing Manuals that describe the Immigrant Loans Program and its four loan components. They provide objectives and eligibility criteria for each loan option and outline the procedures for processing and approving immigrant loans. These chapters also include guidelines for assessing loans for approval as well as guidelines for counselling loan applicants.

Individual agreement. The particular agreement that an individual SAH signed with CIC.

International Organization for Migration (IOM). The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has a primary mandate to make arrangements for the organized transfer of foreign nationals, including refugees, displaced persons and other individuals in need of international migration services. It arranges transportation and medical examinations for refugees. The IOM provides an in-depth Canadian Orientation Abroad (COA) program on a contractual basis, in some locations, to refugees and foreign nationals before they arrive in Canada.

Canada is a full member of IOM and works closely with the organization. The IOM has its headquarters in Geneva and has 72 offices around the world. For more information, click here.

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J

Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS). A joint undertaking by a SAH or one of its CGs and CIC to sponsor GARs requiring special assistance and whose admissibility depends upon this additional support to become established. Refer to Section 157 of IRPR, IP3 and OP5 for details.

JAS provides the opportunity for the government and private sponsors to work together in the resettlement of these special needs persons who would not otherwise be accepted. The government provides income support for the period of the sponsorship and the private sponsors provide moral and emotional support and guidance while ensuring that the resettlement services required are provided.

L

Landing (Landed Status). Means lawful permission to establish permanent residence in Canada .
Letter of Approval (LOA). A letter signed by a person authorized to sign on behalf of the SAH, authorizing a SAH's CG or cosponsor to enter into an undertaking to sponsor refugees on its behalf .
Limited individual agreement. A sponsorship agreement that establishes a limitation on the number of persons the SAH or its CGs can undertake to sponsor in a given calendar year. All Limited Individual Agreements include an expiry date.

Lodging. Includes suitable accommodation, basic furniture and other household essentials .

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M

Matching Centre (MC). Office located at CIC NHQ that is responsible for brokering between CICs located in Canada and Visa posts overseas regarding the destining and matching to sponsors of selected refugees who have been successfully processed and are ready to travel to Canada. The MC is also responsible for the destining of some GARs as well as coordinating Notice of Arrival information.

 

N

NGO-Government Committee on the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (NGO-Gov't Committee). A committee of elected SAH representatives and appointed CIC representatives established in 1994 to provide an ongoing consultative mechanism for program partners in support of the PSRP. The committee is intended to be a facilitative mechanism and does not limit the avenues through which representations may be made of issues of concern to any interested party.


Notification of Arrival Transmission (NAT). A Notification of Arrival Transmission (NAT) advises the local CIC and Service provider organization (SPO) of the date of arrival and flight details of the refugee, and of pertinent details such as the names of sponsors, onward travel arrangements to final destinations, and special needs (e.g., wheelchair required), etc. NATs are required to maintain accurate statistics and are sent for all refugees. They include:
  • point of origin;
  • port of entry;
  • date of arrival;
  • flight details; 
  • special requirements; and
  • identification of special programs such as OYW or blended initiative.

Non-accompanying family member. A non-accompanying family member is defined as a dependent family member of a refugee who is separated from the family unit due to circumstances beyond his/her control and is unable to travel with the principal applicant. [Refer to Section 141 of IRPR.]
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O

One Year Window of Opportunity (OYW). A regulatory mechanism that allows non-accompanying family members to submit an application and be eligible to be processed in the same class and category as the principal applicant (PA) for up to one year following the PA's arrival in Canada. All family members must be identified on the PA's application form. For more details refer to Paragraph 141(1) (b) of IRPR, IP3 and OP5.
Overseas Processing Chapter 5 (OP5). A chapter of the CIC Overseas Processing Manual that explains the policy and procedures for the refugee resettlement program abroad including the selection of government-assisted refugees (GARs) and privately sponsored refugees (PSRs).
Overseas Processing Chapter 22 (OP22). A chapter of the CIC Overseas Processing Manual that provides an understanding of the process for judicial reviews of decisions made under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for which no specific right of appeal exists. This chapter deals specifically with overseas files that are subject to judicial review.

 

P

Permanent Residence. A person with permanent residence:

  • has been granted landing under previous legislation or permanent residence under IRPA;
  • has not been granted Canadian citizenship
  • has not ceased to be a permanent resident

    • Port of Entry (POE). Legal point of entry into Canada, staffed by CIC employees. Most POEs are at international airports, legal border crossing checkpoints with the United States and at lake and coastal seas ports.

    Principal agreement. The Agreement negotiated between CIC and the SAH Community.
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    Principal Applicant (PA). For a single applicant, it is that one person. For spouses, common law partners including those with children, it is the person with the strongest claim to persecution.

     

    R

    Reception. Reception is defined in the Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking as meeting the refugee upon arrival in the community of resettlement or, when applicable, making arrangements for the refugee's transportation from the closest domestic airport to the community of resettlement.


    Referral organizations. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations define a referral organization as:
    • the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; or
    • any organization with which the Minister has entered into a memorandum of understanding.

    Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP). A program of the SAHs that is funded by CIC and whose primary goal is to provide training on the private sponsorship of refugees to SAHs, CGs, co-sponsors, Community Sponsors and G5s.
    Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP). A contribution program established by CIC that provides basic income support and essential services for refugees who have been admitted to Canada as Government-assisted refugees.
    RAP Service Provider Organization (RAP SPO). A non-governmental organization funded by CIC to provide a range of settlement and adaptation services in Canada directly to GARs, including refugees sponsored under the JAS program.
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    S

    Secondary migration. The term "secondary migration" refers to a refugee-initiated change in location on arrival in Canada, or during the period of the sponsorship, to a destination (city or province) other than the sponsoring community i.e. the one chosen during the selection process overseas.

    Self-supporting. The point at which a refugee no longer requires the financial support (care and lodging) of a sponsor but may still need settlement assistance. Refers to Paragraph 5 (d) and Appendix 1 of the Sponsorship Agreement.
    Self-Supporting Refugees. "Self-supporting refugees" are refugees who meet resettlement criteria and have sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their accompanying dependants until they are likely to become self-supporting. This category of refugees is in addition to the other categories of refugees who receive assistance from the government or private sponsors. Self-supporting refugees are included in the range of privately sponsored refugees reported to Parliament each year.
    Service Provider Organizations (SPOs). SPOs are funded by CIC, either directly or through provincial programs, to deliver orientation and settlement services directly to newcomers, including sponsored refugees.
    Settlement Assistance. The activities that facilitate the refugee's adjustment to Canadian society such as providing orientation to the community, help with learning an official language, assistance with finding employment, and extending ongoing friendship, encouragement and general assistance. It also involves informing refugees of the rights and responsibilities of permanent residents in Canada.
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    Settlement Plan. A written plan that outlines a sponsoring group's arrangements for the reception, care, lodging and settlement assistance of the sponsored refugee(s).


    Source Country Class. A member of the Source Country Class is a person:
    • who resides in his or her country of citizenship or habitual residence; 
    • who has been and continues to be seriously and personally affected by civil war or armed conflict; 
    • who has suffered serious deprivation of his or her right of freedom of expression, right of dissent or right to engage in trade union activity and who has been detained or imprisoned as a consequence;
    • who fears persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; 
    • for whom there is no possibility of finding an adequate solution to his or her situation within a reasonable period of time;
      • who resides in a country that has been designated as a source country (refer to Schedule 2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations); and
      • who will be privately sponsored or assisted by the government or who has adequate financial resources to support himself or herself and any dependants

    Sponsor. In the context of SAH/CG sponsorships, a sponsor is a SAH or a CG or Cosponsor acting on behalf of the SAH for the purpose of sponsoring a refugee. Refer to Section 138 "sponsor" of IRPR.
    Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs). are incorporated organizations that have signed a formal sponsorship agreement with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Most current SAHs are religious organizations, ethno cultural groups or other humanitarian organizations. SAHs, which may be local, regional or national, assume overall responsibility for the management of sponsorships under their agreement. Organizations entering into a sponsorship agreement with CIC generally submit several refugee sponsorships a year.

    A Corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada or any province thereof, that signs a Sponsorship Agreement with the Minister. SAHs have the following characteristics:

    • They are incorporated organizations.
    • They vary widely in composition and type, for example:
      • religious organizations;
      • ethno-cultural groups; or
      • other humanitarian organizations.
    • They have signed a sponsorship agreement with the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (or delegate) to facilitate the sponsorship process.
    • They are completely responsible for managing sponsorships under their agreement.
    • They can be composed of Constituent Groups (CGs) specifically recognized and managed by the SAH.
    • They are responsible for training and informing their Constituent Groups.
    • SAHs may:
      • undertake sponsorships on an on-going basis;
      • manage a sponsorship with assistance from a CG;
      • have many CGs across Canada or a few CGs in a specific region/area;
      • work with local CICs in their community of residence.
    • SAHs and their CGs are eligible to sponsor JAS cases according to the terms and conditions of RAP.

    Sponsorship Breakdown. An official declaration that an irreparable failure to meet the sponsorship arrangements (care, lodging and settlement assistance) has occurred. Sponsorship breakdown is a condition of deterioration in the sponsor-refugee relationship such that the sponsor is unable or unwilling to fulfill the terms of the sponsorship undertaking. Normally, attempts are made to reestablish the sponsorship, but failing those efforts, CIC will formally declare a breakdown in the sponsorship and depending on the circumstances, the sponsoring group may be found in default.

    Sponsorship Default. A bar to sponsorship that is declared against a sponsor determined to be liable for a sponsorship breakdown. Refer to Subsection 153(4) of IRPR. Sponsorship default refers to a breach of the contractual obligations of the sponsorship undertaking itself, specifically, the failure to fulfill a financial or non-financial obligation associated with the undertaking. A sponsoring group may not submit undertakings while they remain in default.
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    Sponsorship Revocation. A rescindment, withdrawal or cancellation of an approved undertaking by CIC before or after the issuance of a visa. Refer to Section 155 of IRPR.


    Sponsorship Withdrawal. A cancellation by a sponsor of an undertaking before the issuance of a visa. It is the last option when all attempts to fulfill the conditions of the sponsorship have failed or when situations have changed.


    T

    Temporary Resident Permit (TRP). A temporary resident permit (TRP) is a discretionary document that may be issued to inadmissible persons or persons reported or who may be reported for violation of the IRPA allowing them to enter or remain in Canada, where justified by exceptional circumstances. The temporary resident permit combines two authorities which previously existed under the Immigration Act of 1976: the Minister's Permit and discretionary entry. (A24(1))
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    U

    Undertaking to sponsor. A written undertaking to the Minister, sometimes referred to as an application to sponsor, to make provision for reception, care, lodging and settlement assistance for a refugee and their named accompanying and non accompanying family members in the expected community of settlement for a period of 12 months (longer in exceptional circumstances if agreed to by the SAH) from the date of arrival of the refugee or until the refugee becomes self-supporting and no longer requires settlement assistance, whichever is less. Refer to Sections138 "undertaking" and 141 and Subsections 154(2) and (3) of IRPR.


    Urgent need of protection. Urgent need of protection means, in respect of a member of the Convention refugee abroad class, the Country of asylum class or the Source country class, that their life, liberty or physical safety is under immediate threat and, if not protected, the person is likely to be:
    • killed;
    • subject to violence, torture, sexual assault or arbitrary imprisonment; or
    • returned to their country of nationality or of their former habitual residence.

    Urgent Protection Program (UPP). A case in need of urgent protection is one where the life, liberty or physical well-being of a refugee is under immediate threat. These cases are assigned the highest processing priority to offer resettlement as a tool of protection. Resettlement in urgent protection cases is undertaken as a priority where there is no other way to guarantee the security of the person concerned. Resettlement in these cases is the best, and often the only protection response.

     

    V

    Visa office-referred sponsorship. Visa office-referred sponsorship refers to situations where a refugee has been determined to be eligible and is referred by a visa office for sponsorship. Either a sponsor requests the visa office-referred case or a visa office refers the case to the Matching Centre to find a sponsor.

    Vulnerable. "Vulnerable" with respect of a Convention refugee or a person in similar circumstances means that the person has a greater need of protection than other applicants abroad because of the person's particular circumstances that give rise to a heightened risk to their physical safety. Vulnerable cases are eligible for expedited processing. Expedited cases are not urgent and it is acceptable to have refugees in these cases en route to Canada within one to four months.

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    W

    Women at Risk Program (AWR). The Women-at-Risk Program (AWR) is designed to offer resettlement opportunities to women in:

    • perilous or permanently unstable situations; and
    • in situations where urgent or expedited processing is necessary.

      Women eligible under this program may:

    • not have the resettlement potential usually required by applicants under the Convention Refugee Abroad class or Humanitarian-Protected Persons Abroad classes;
    • be marginalized or alienated in their communities;
    • be vulnerable to the threat of rape, other forms of violence to themselves or to their children;
    • be in such critical situations that urgent processing is required;
    • require help because their ability to start a new life is hampered by:
      • young dependent children;
      • poor ability to communicate in either official language; or
      • the lack of skills necessary for employment.
        In many cases, women eligible under the AWR and their dependent children:
      • experience more difficulties in resettling than other classes of refugees;
      • will require a Joint Assistance Sponsorship; and 
      • will need a longer period to become integrated and established in Canada.
       

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