Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP)

E-Training course for settlement professionals: Allies in Private Sponsorship (SPT101)
2025-06-23 08:00 - 2025-08-03 17:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
If you missed the orientation session on June 23rd, you can still enroll in the course. In some instances a late registration may not be possible. Please reach out to our course instructor Anoush anewman@rstp.ca for more information.
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We invite you to a great learning opportunity designed especially for settlement service professionals who are working with privately sponsored refugees and their sponsors!
This online e-training course combines flexible self-study with engaging weekly video chats with course facilitators and course-mates, helping you understand the ins and outs of private sponsorship in Canada. Over six weeks, you’ll explore key topics like sponsor roles, newcomer rights, and how settlement workers can best support privately sponsored refugees. Please note, this session is currently offered in English only.
Date: June 23 to August 3 2025
Location (virtual): on Moodle

Register Here

Monthly PSR Series #5: Preparing for and Transitioning to Month 13
2025-07-31 15:00 - 16:00
This hands-on webinar by the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) is for new and experienced sponsors who want to learn about the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program. Join us to find out what ‘Month 13’ is in the context of a PSR sponsorship.
We will go over the following information:
*learn about Month 13 and when sponsors should start preparing for the transition to Month 13 of the sponsorship
*learn about resources that are available to assist sponsors and sponsored newcomers during this transition
*learn about the considerations that sponsors and sponsored newcomers should make when beginning to prepare for the transition
*find out about the services that are available to sponsored newcomers during Month 13
*learn how to evaluate the sponsorship period.

The monthly webinars are a 5-part PSR program webinar series where attendees will learn how to become a PSR refugee sponsor by going through the entire process from A-Z. These webinar series can also be taken as refresher sessions for existing sponsors.
Register Here

Please note: this webinar starts at 3 pm EDT and runs for one hour.

Post-Arrival Responsibilities: Managing Expectations & Making Ethical Considerations (hosted from BC, for all Groups of 5 and Community Sponsors across Canada)
2025-08-06 14:00 - 16:00
This virtual training session is the second workshop in a 3-part summer series on Post-Arrival Obligations for Groups of Five and Community Sponsors in BC. Sponsors from both the PSR and BVOR program are welcome to join us for some valuable skill training.
This session provides information on how sponsors can:

manage their expectations and what ethical considerations to make.

the stages of settlement;
cultural awareness/adjustment; expectation management;
the value of providing orientation;
ethical considerations and the rights of sponsored newcomers;
and potential power imbalances.

Register Here
Please note, this webinar starts at 2 pm EST / 11 am PT and is held online.

Ready Set Match ! Webinar #4 Submitting your BVOR Sponsorship Application (A 4-Part BVOR Sponsorship Training Series)
2025-08-14 12:00 - 12:30
Ready Set Match #4: Submitting Your BVOR Sponsorship Application
You’ve built a strong group and raised the necessary funds, now it’s time to take the exciting next step in your sponsorship journey: matching with a BVOR refugee or refugee family! Join us as we take a closer look at the matching process and get you ready to submit your application to sponsor and welcome BVOR refugees.
In this training session, you’ll learn about:

the matching process
what to consider when matching
creating your settlement plan
preparing your sponsorship application

Format: a 30-minute webinar followed by an optional Q&A, plus handouts

PSR Post-Arrival Financial Support Webinar: “How Much Money do I Need to Give to the Newly Arrived Refugees?” (Saskatoon in-person + Online Canada-wide)
2025-08-19 17:00 - 18:30
(For sponsors in the Private Sponsorship of Refugees/PSR program)
Sponsors in the PSR program are required to provide financial support to the newcomers they have sponsored. Learn to determine the amount of money that sponsors are required to provide to the newcomers by using the Financial Support Calculator tool.

Register Here

Please note, this is a hybrid event. For in-person attendance in Saskatoon, please come to 106 -129 – 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon SK (no registration required). Webinar/workshop starts at 3 pm CST/ 5 pm EST.

Have questions? Please connect with our webinar facilitator Helen at hsmithmcintyre@rstp.ca.

An Introduction to Family Reunification under the One-Year-Window of Opportunity (OYW) Provision.
2025-08-26 15:00 - 16:30
(For private sponsors and newly arrived or soon-to arrive sponsored refugee newcomers)
Were some of the members of the family you sponsored unable to travel to Canada with the Principal Applicant? If so, you may be eligible to reunite the family members in Canada by filling out a One Year Window application.
The OYW is a special provision that allows refugee newcomers in specific situations to bring the remainder of the family to Canada.
Join us to learn about:
-the eligibility requirements
-where to find the application forms
-and how to fill out the application.
Register Here

Please note this workshop/webinar starts at 1 pm CST/3 pm EST and is 1 1/2 hours long.
For in-person attendance in Saskatoon, please come to 106 -129 – 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon SK (no registration required).

Have questions? Contact our webinar/workshop facilitator Helen at hsmithmcintyre@rstp.ca

PSR Post Arrival Responsibilities - Focus on IRCC Assurance Activities (For Groups of 5 & Community Sponsors in Canada)))
2025-08-27 14:00 - 15:00
(Webinar for Groups of 5 & Community Sponsors in the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program, Canada-wide participants are welcome to join. Facilitated by our BC Trainer Gizol Shah)
This virtual training session is the third and final workshop in a 3-part summer series on Post Arrival Obligations for Groups of Five and Community Sponsors in British Columbia. Although Groups of Five and Community Sponsors across Canada are welcome to join this online session too.
Join us to get an in-depth look at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Assurance program.
The following topics will be covered:

the 3 types of assurance activities (reported cases, reactive monitoring, and routine monitoring),
acceptable proof of support documents
the post-arrival case review process

Register Here

Please note, this webinar starts at 11 am PT/ 2 pm EST and is 2 hours long.
Have questions? Please reach out to Gizol at gshah@rstp.ca

E-training Course: Introduction to the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program (IET101)
2025-09-08 16:30 - 23:30
Please note: this online E-Training course will run from September 8th to November 9th, 2025. We strongly recommend that individuals who enroll in the course attend the orientation session on September 8th before starting the course.
This online RSTP E-training course is designed to help you learn all about the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program. E-training is RSTP’s self-directed online learning tool hosted on the Moodle platform.
In this course you will learn the following details about the PSR program;

the different types of sponsoring groups
the various Canadian immigration programs for refugee resettlement
refugee and sponsor eligibility requirements for the PSR program
the program’s application process
settlement planning and the post-arrival support responsibilities/requirements of sponsors
how to calculate the cost of a PSR sponsorship
overseas processing (how the application is assessed and processed outside of Canada)

Participants will also have the option to engage with the course facilitator, other participants, and enhance their learning by participating in weekly video chat sessions and discussion forums.
Avis important :
Le contenu de ce cours étant en cours de traduction, la session d’été de IET101 est proposée en anglais uniquement.

Online Orientation Session (September 8th @ 4:30 – 5 pm Eastern Time)
REGISTER HERE

Enroll in the Online E-training Course (September 8th – November 9th, 2025)
ENROLL HERE

Refusals and Judicial Reviews: Real Success Stories (Online Info Session & Panel for PSR Sponsors)
2025-09-16 18:00 - 19:30
This webinar will help sponsors in the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program better understand how to respond to negative decisions. Join us to hear real success stories from private refugee sponsors who turned refusals into wins.
In this session, you’ll learn how to:
• Understand common reasons for refusals
• Navigate procedural fairness and system errors
• Decide when to involve a lawyer
• Explore real-life cases where judicial reviews led to positive outcomes
Don’t miss this chance to gain practical insights and actionable strategies for responding to negative decisions.

Click here to submit your questions in advance:
https://app.sli.do/event/efasSwbeyGaLCKp6YLt72a (code: #RefusalQ)

Register Here
Please note, this event starts at 6 pm Eastern Time and runs for 1.5 hours (6 – 7:30 pm EDT)

Monthly Series #3: Submitting a Private Sponsorship Application Online on the PR Portal
2025-09-17 18:00 - 20:00
This hands-on webinar by the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) is for new and experienced sponsors who want to learn about the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program. Join us to learn how to submit your PSR application online, through the Permanent Residence Portal (PR portal).
In this session, we will cover information about:
*how to submit the application package online.
*how to navigate the new PR Portal and find out how to access it and how to log in.
* the difference between a Primary Sponsor and a Principal Applicant – and the documents that each of them need to upload to the portal.
*how to review your application in detail before submitting it online
*common application mistakes that you can avoid making.

The monthly webinars are a 5-part PSR program webinar series where attendees will learn how to become a PSR refugee sponsor by going through the entire process from A-Z. These webinar series can also be taken as refresher sessions for existing sponsors.
Register Here

Please note: this webinar starts at 6 pm EDT and runs for 2 hours.

The Post-Arrival Responsibilities of Sponsors in the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program (Online training session)
2025-09-17 18:30 - 20:00
This online training session will guide sponsors in the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program through their post-arrival responsibilities based on the program’s requirements, including financial support, settlement assistance, and community integration.
Participants will learn practical ways to meet Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) requirements while helping newcomers build a strong start in Canada.
Date: September 17th, 2025
Time: 5:30 – 7 pm (CST) / 6:30 – 8 pm (EDT)
Location (virtual): on Zoom
Register Here

Webinar for all PSR sponsoring groups, including Groups of 5, Community Sponsors, SAHs and their Constituent Groups/Co-Sponsors

Online Info Session: Social Programs for Newcomers at the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) (For sponsors & newcomers in Alberta)
2025-09-18 20:00 - 21:30
(Webinar for Groups of Five, Community Sponsors, SAHs and their Constituent Groups /Co-sponsors in Calgary)
An online info session introducing Calgary Catholic Immigration Society’s (CCIS) services and programs that are available to newcomers, including sponsored refugees in the region.
Sponsors in the BVOR and PSR programs, as well as sponsored newcomers are welcome to join.
Facilitated by RSTP Trainer Anoush Newman with CCIS guest presenter, Marion Christensen.

Register Here

Please note, this webinar starts at 6 pm MDT/ 8 pm EDT and is 1 1/2 hours long.

Have questions? Contact our webinar facilitator Anoush at mnewman@rstp.ca.

Monthly Series #4: How to Prepare for Arrival & Meeting Post-Arrival Needs and Requirements in an Ethical Way
2025-09-23 18:00 - 20:00
This hands-on webinar by the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) is for new and experienced sponsors who want to learn about the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program. Join us to review or learn about sponsors’ settlement responsibilities when sponsoring refugees under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) and Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) programs
We will go over the following information:
*review of sponsors’ settlement responsibilities under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) and Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) programs
*the important ethical considerations to keep in mind when sponsoring refugees
*learn about the inherent power imbalance that exists in the sponsor-sponsored newcomer relationship and tips on how to mitigate this imbalance
*learn about the importance of managing the expectations of the sponsors and the newcomer(s).
The monthly webinars are a 5-part PSR program webinar series where attendees will learn how to become a PSR refugee sponsor by going through the entire process from A-Z. These webinar series can also be taken as refresher sessions for existing sponsors.
Register Here

Please note: this webinar starts at 6 pm EDT and runs for 2 hours.

Post-Arrival Budget Calculations for Sponsors in the PSR Program. (Online/Canada-wide)
2025-09-23 18:30 - 20:00
This session will provide sponsors in the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program with practical guidance on calculating and managing budgets for Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSRs) after their arrival in Canada.

Participants will learn how to:
-Calculate the amount of financial support you’re required to provide during the settlement period (after arrival)
-Align monthly financial support with RAP rates
-Account for housing, food, transport & other settlement costs
-Ensure compliance with your PSR sponsorship obligations
We will also look at some of the common challenges, tools for transparent record-keeping, and strategies to support newcomers in developing financial independence.

Register Here

Monthly PSR Series #5: Preparing for and Transitioning to Month 13
2025-09-25 18:00 - 19:00
This hands-on webinar by the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) is for new and experienced sponsors who want to learn about the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program. Join us to find out what ‘Month 13’ is in the context of a PSR sponsorship.
We will go over the following information:
*learn about Month 13 and when sponsors should start preparing for the transition to Month 13 of the sponsorship
*learn about resources that are available to assist sponsors and sponsored newcomers during this transition
*learn about the considerations that sponsors and sponsored newcomers should make when beginning to prepare for the transition
*find out about the services that are available to sponsored newcomers during Month 13
*learn how to evaluate the sponsorship period.

The monthly webinars are a 5-part PSR program webinar series where attendees will learn how to become a PSR refugee sponsor by going through the entire process from A-Z. These webinar series can also be taken as refresher sessions for existing sponsors.
Register Here

Please note: this webinar starts at 6 pm EDT and runs for one hour.
