The document provides information and instructions for groups of five private citizens who want to sponsor refugees to come to Canada. It discusses who can sponsor refugees, the forms and documentation required for the sponsorship application, how to fill out the forms including the undertaking, settlement plan, financial assessments and profiles for each sponsor. The document emphasizes ensuring all required information and documentation is provided to avoid delays and for the application to be approved.
25. Make sure that you use the current form. Counter-check this with the form on http://www.cic.gc.ca/francais/information/demandes/groupe-de-cinq.asp
26. Choose the IMM6000 distribution option X The most preferred is option 3: Local CIC submits completed IMM 0008 and approved Undertaking to visa office Under Option 3 the sponsoring group sends the IMM 6000 to the refugee applicant. The refugee completes the forms and sends them back to the sponsoring group with all the required attachments and photos. The sponsoring group submits the refugee’s application to the local CIC along with their sponsorship Undertaking. The local CIC then forwards the entire application and approved Undertaking to the visa office. For more information: http://rstp.ca/images/fbfiles/files/group5aug2009.pdf (p.13)
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28. Completing section B Print the names of the other group members. If a box is not applicable, print "N/A.“
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30. Completing section C If you are sponsoring a "visa office-referred” sponsorship case: check the appropriate box and attach the Refugee Profile that you received. Sponsoring groups are required to sponsor the principal refugee applicant and all family members at the same time.
31. Completing section D You may link sponsorship cases together by providing the name and date of birth of the principal refugee applicant for each particular case. Filling out this section ensures that all linked sponsorships are processed at the same time by the visa office.
32. Completing section E Print information on the refugee applicant's relatives living in Canada. Include primarily close relatives such as parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and adult children.
33. Completing section F Section F is not mandatory, CIC will not return or refuse the application if you do not provide the information requested. Page 14-16 of the guide provides details regarding the refugee definitions, you are encouraged to consider these categories prior to submitting an application.
34. Obligations of the sponsor(s) Read and understand the obligations of the sponsor to the sponsored persons
36. Completing the Sponsor Assessment (IMM 5492) This form must be completed by every member of the group. Group members may wish to submit their Sponsor Assessment in a sealed envelope to ensure confidentiality.
40. Completing section A of the settlement plan and financial assessment Give the name of the Principal Refugee Appliant as it was given in IMM 5373 section C. Give your group a name and main contact person information as it was given in IMM 5373 section A
41. Completing section B - Settlement Needs Checklist Sponsoring group can inform CIC where in-kind donations are available (e.g. used furniture), thereby reducing the total funds required to sponsor the refugee.
42. Settlement needs - details Each question should be answered in a detailed yet concise manner.
52. In-Kind Deduction Table In order to subtract the dollar value of available in-kind donations from the cost of sponsorship, use the dollar figures provided on the In-Kind Deduction Table (above) that correspond to the appropriate settlement need (shelter, clothing, etc.) and the size of the refugee family.
53. Completing Financial Profile - G5 Member (IMM 5373B) Group members who will use their income as a means of supporting the refugee applicants MUST complete the financial profile. Group members may wish to submit their Financial Profile in a sealed envelope to ensure confidentiality.
54. Employment details Sponsors must provide proof of income, i.e. T4 slips, pay stubs, a letter from the employer or other official documentation.
55. Other sources of income In Box A enter the total income, in Box B the funds committed to the sponsorship.
56. Document Checklist Ensure that you have all required documents and include the completed checklist in your sponsorship application.
57. Use of a representative A representative is someone who has your permission to conduct business on your behalf with CIC. This can be a paid or unpaid person, a friend or family member, an immigration consultant or a member of a Non-governmental organization.
58. Use of a representative You can also cancel the appointment of a representative using this form.
Voluntary Repatriation Most refugees want to go home Repatriation to the home country should happen only when the situation in the home country has changed in a lasting and meaningful way and the refugees can return safely . Refugees sometimes go home in large numbers after decades, (e.g. some Eritreans and Ethiopians in the early 90’s) or after a few months (e.g.Kosovars in 1999). Local Integration A refugee is considered locally integrated in the country where they sought refuge if: they can move around that country freely, they may leave and return to that country, they are allowed to earn a living, their children are allowed to attend school, there is no threat of forcible return to country of origin, and there is a possibility of acquiring permanent residence or citizenship. Most of the world’s refugees are in asylum countries neighbouring the areas of conflict. Millions are in refugee camps. Most will never become completely locally integrated. Resettlement to a third country Resettlement as an instrument of protection is 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. Resettlement provides a durable solution for those who are particularly vulnerable and who are unable to benefit from the other two solutions. Resettlement is also a means of burden-sharing and of family reunification. Usually resettlement offers the refugee the right to remain in the resettlement country permanently.
This includes 15.2 million refugees, 827,000 asylum-seekers (pending cases) and 26 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). Other resettlement countries include: -US, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, UK, Ireland, Iceland- plus newer resettlement countries like Brazil, Argentina, Chile -Worldwide there were approximately 70,000-80,000 resettlement places available this year. US by far the largest, but their numbers have declined since September 11 due to security concerns -There are initiatives to increase the number of resettlement countries- including European countries like Portugal and France.
was a milestone in Canada’s response to refugees, establishing refugees as a class distinct from immigrants. (ordinary people across Canada became involved in assisting refugees settle in Canada. clarified the humanitarian goals to offer protection and a durable solution to refugees in need of resettlement.
How Do Refugees Come to Canada? Inland processing Person arrives in Canada, and makes a refugee claim The claim is processed in Canada through the refugee determination process at the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) Approximately 15,000 refugees are accepted and landed in Canada each year Overseas processing Sponsored refugees have their interviews, medical, security and criminality checks conducted overseas. A refugee resettled from overseas is “landed” on arrival in Canada, and enters the country as a permanent resident. -Government-assisted refugees annual target, currently at 7,500 -Mostly referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Privately sponsored refugees are additional to the government program -Current range 3,000-4,500 a year
Eligibility Convention Refugee Abroad Class; Country of Asylum Class; Source Country Class Be outside of their country of origin Be outside of Canada * except if being considered in the source country class Have no other solution Be refered by the UNHCR or a private sponsor Admissibily Medical Security Criminality
Mostly religious, ethno-cultural and humanitarian organizations Local, regional or national Responsible for all sponsorships signed under its agreement Work with constituent groups and/or cosponsors
Must: provide emotional and financial commitment to support the refugees for the duration of the sponsorship be located in the community where the refugees will live can form a partnership with cosponsor
persons convicted of serious criminal acts, if five years have not lapsed since the end of the sentence persons in default of court-ordered support payments removable and incarcerated persons or persons subject to citizenship revocation proceedings
From the Sponsorship undertaking During the Sponsorship Period the SPONSORING GROUP promises to provide : Reception Meet the refugee on arrival in Canada Provide an orientation to life in Canada Lodging Provide suitable accommodation, basic furniture, and other household essentials Care Provide financial support for food, clothing, local transportation costs and other basic necessities of life Settlement Assistance and Support in the expected community of settlement Help the refugee(s): Complete required forms including health insurance, social insurance, and child tax benefits Learn English or French (e.g. help them getting into an ESL or FSL class) Understand the rights and responsibilities of permanent residents Find employment Get access to resources including, interpreters, community support groups, settlement services Register children in school and guide them in dealings with the school system Select a family physician and dentist Become independent. Sponsors also provide ongoing friendship and emotional support. SPONSORSHIP PERIOD Usually 12 months from the date of arrival of the refugee or until the refugee becomes self-supporting and no longer requires settlement assistance, whichever is less In exceptional circumstances, visa officers can ask for a longer sponsorship period (up to 36 months)
Talk about the three different options 1, 2 or 3
If there are more than five people, attach another sheet of paper. Make sure you complete all the boxes.
This information will allow the officer to recognise existing links to Canada that the refugee applicant may have.
The group representative who should sign and date in the first slot By signing here, the sponsoring group declares that they understand and commit to upholding the terms outlined on the undertaking
The settlement plan and financial assessment is used by CIC to assess whether your group is able to provide the settlement assistance and financial support needed to help the refugee establish successfully in Canada during the validity of the sponsorship. Where practicable, the planned arrangements should be in place before the refugee arrives. All members of the group must agree to the plan.
Question 3: In order to help you determine what financial requirements may be necessary to support the refugee applicant(s) for the validity of the sponsorship, consider the following: • Rent: consider cost of accommodation, including deposit (ensure refugee(s) will be able to afford payment after sponsorship ends) • Utilities: include electricity, heat and water • Food: consider the refugee(s)' need to have some of their national food in their diet • Transportation: bus or metro passes, tickets, etc. • Clothes: consider winter clothes as well • Telephone: decide whether to fund long distance calls; the refugee(s) will need to communicate with family and friends back home • Health: plan for costs not covered by the provincial health plan or the Interim Federal Health plan • Education: school trips, day care to allow parents to attend language training, transition into work force • Incidentals: pocket money, recreation, unanticipated expenses D
Other Sources of Funds" refers to the total amount of sponsorship funds from sources other than personal income, such as funds placed in a bank account for use when the refugee arrives or a promissory note from a corporate donor. The sponsoring group must provide supporting documentation that shows the availability of these funds.
An in-kind donation is an available material provision that is donated to the refugees that would otherwise need to be purchased with group finances. Common examples include rent-free accommodation, furniture or clothing.
Group members may wish to submit their Financial Profile in a sealed envelope to ensure confidentiality It is not necessary that each group member contribute financially to the sponsorship, however, it is preferable that at least three members commit to sharing the financial burden.
Include any other sources of income, i.e. Business, self-employment, rental income, investment and interest, maternity/parental/Sickness benefits, EI, Pension, other income. You cannot include provincial training allowances, social assistance or child tax benefits. LICO – Low Income cut-off