Latest Policy & Program Updates - Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP)

Canadian community members are once again able to bring refugees to Canada with the relaunch of the BVOR program.

June 24, 2022 -

NEWS RELEASE June 24, 2022 TORONTO, On. – The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, helped to celebrate the official relaunch of the Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) sponsorship program yesterday, along with representatives from the Canadian refugee newcomer community who participated in a lived-experience panel conversation. The BVOR sponsorship program is a financial […]

(IRCC message) Afghanistan Border Crossing

December 30, 2021 -

We hope that you all are having safe and happy holidays! Please see below a message from the IRCC addressed to Afghan nationals in Afghanistan who may be trying to cross the border into another country. To sponsors, kindly share with applicants in your networks, as you see necessary. Translated .PDF versions of this message […]

IRCC Update on connecting flights and rail after entering Canada (as of November 30, 2021)

December 15, 2021 -

Update posted December 09, 2021 The new requirement to be fully vaccinated in order to travel domestically within Canada does not apply to resettled refugees and new permanent residents. New permanent residents and resettled refugees who don’t qualify as fully vaccinated will be allowed to travel onward to their final destination in Canada in order […]

IRCC Update on the COVID-19 Omicron variant of concern

December 15, 2021 -

Update posted December 09, 2021 As a precautionary measure, until January 31, 2022, the Government of Canada is implementing enhanced border measures for all travellers who have been in Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe within the last 14 days before arriving in Canada. Foreign nationals who have travelled […]

Information Sessions on the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program

September 16, 2021 -

ONLINE INFORMATION SESSIONS Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) is pleased to offer a series of information sessions on the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program. These sessions are a great primer providing general information about the PSR program, for individuals looking to become refugee sponsors, including (but not limited to) the sponsorship of eligible […]

Changes to the Immigration Loans Program effective September 1, 2021

September 2, 2021 -

Please see the message below from IRCC on changes to the Immigration Loans Program that will come into effect as of September 1, 2021: The immigration loan cap per family will be raised to $15,000, from $10,000; and The service fee that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) applies to support the movement of refugees […]

Information from UNHCR on Programs for Afghan Nationals

August 23, 2021 -

A Global View at Programs Available for Afghan Nationals The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has compiled a list of programs offered by various countries for Afghan nationals. The programs are for individuals who have worked or who have been affiliated with those countries. The list of programs can be found at: Relocation Programmes […]

Information from IRCC on Supporting Afghan Nationals

August 20, 2021 -

Canada has announced the resettlement of up to 20,000 vulnerable Afghan nationals to Canada. This will be done through: A special immigration program for Afghan nationals, and their families, who assisted the Government of Canada; and, A special humanitarian program focused on resettling Afghan nationals who are outside of Afghanistan and who don’t have a […]

Information from IRCC on the Negative COVID-19 Test Requirement for Air Travelers and Sponsored Refugees

January 21, 2021 -

IRCC has shared the information below on the negative COVID-19 test requirement for air travelers that came into effect on January 07, 2021 and the measures that have been implemented to assist sponsored refugees with meeting this requirement: The Minister of Transport has put in place a new requirement, effective January 7, 2021, that all […]

COVID-19 Factsheets for Sponsored and Resettled Refugees

August 17, 2020 -

IRCC has produced factsheets for sponsored and resettled refugees. The factsheets provide information on the symptoms of COVID-19 and how to prevent its spread; and, information on what will happen on arrival in Canada, including the procedures that will be followed at the airport and the minimum 14-day quarantine. The factsheets are available to download […]