Refugee Sponsorship Inquiry from the Philippines

[edmondth01]

Hello everyone,

I am a recognized refugee in the Philippines, where I have been living for the past five years. My situation has recently become extremely difficult, and the support I've received from local authorities is not enough for me to live a sustainable life.

My question is, am I eligible to apply for sponsorship from a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) in Canada? Also, given the current situation, how long can I expect the process to take?

Any information or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Naturgrl]

Hello everyone,

I am a recognized refugee in the Philippines, where I have been living for the past five years. My situation has recently become extremely difficult, and the support I've received from local authorities is not enough for me to live a sustainable life.

My question is, am I eligible to apply for sponsorship from a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) in Canada? Also, given the current situation, how long can I expect the process to take?

Any information or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Do you have an approved SAH because it is not open to new SAH applicants?

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...te-sponsorship-program/agreement-holders.html

As for processing, it is years.

 

[edmondth01]

Do you have an approved SAH because it is not open to new SAH applicants?

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...te-sponsorship-program/agreement-holders.html

As for processing, it is years.

I have reached out to several Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) to explain my situation. However, I have not received any confirmation or approval from them so far.

 

[Naturgrl]

I have reached out to several Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) to explain my situation. However, I have not received any confirmation or approval from them so far.

This is because most programs have been paused to deal with backlog and there are no new intakes. Most groups sponsor family, friends and contacts who they know personally.

 

[edmondth01]

This is because most programs have been paused to deal with backlog and there are no new intakes. Most groups sponsor family, friends and contacts who they know personally.

If I don’t have any family, friends, or personal contacts in Canada, what options are available for me at this moment? And considering my situation, would I still be eligible for sponsorship through a SAH if the program opens again?

 

[Naturgrl]

If I don’t have any family, friends, or personal contacts in Canada, what options are available for me at this moment? And considering my situation, would I still be eligible for sponsorship through a SAH if the program opens again?

If you can find an eligible SAH now or a group when it opens then you may be eligible. If you are registered with UNHCR then they will decide on your resettlement, and it may not be Canada.

 

[canuck78]

Would add that private sponsorship is a very slow process. Not uncommon for it to take many years even once your application has been accepted. Canada is dealing with huge backlogs while also trying to reduce PR quotas. You are unlikely to find a quick way to get resettlement in most countries these days.

 

[edmondth01]

Would add that private sponsorship is a very slow process. Not uncommon for it to take many years even once your application has been accepted. Canada is dealing with huge backlogs while also trying to reduce PR quotas. You are unlikely to find a quick way to get resettlement in most countries these days.

Thank you for the information. It sounds like I need to be patient. What would you recommend as the most effective way to start the process, even if it takes a long time?

 

[canuck78]

Thank you for the information. It sounds like I need to be patient. What would you recommend as the most effective way to start the process, even if it takes a long time?

There is no obvious pathway especially if you have no contacts who could perhaps advocate for you to come on private sponsorship or provide financial backing. What education do you have? Do you work and in what field? How old are you? Do you know French?

 

[scylla]

Thank you for the information. It sounds like I need to be patient. What would you recommend as the most effective way to start the process, even if it takes a long time?

The first step is finding a SAH who is willing to sponsor you once the program opens. It's very difficult to do this with no connections in Canada. If you manage to find a SAH and the program reopens, it takes years for an application to be processed.

I would honestly recommend you not count on this working out and look at different options / different countries.

 

[edmondth01]

If you can find an eligible SAH now or a group when it opens then you may be eligible. If you are registered with UNHCR then they will decide on your resettlement, and it may not be Canada.

Thank you for the information. Since the UNHCR in my country of refuge cannot assist with this, I am looking for a Canadian SAH instead.

 

[Naturgrl]

Thank you for the information. Since the UNHCR in my country of refuge cannot assist with this, I am looking for a Canadian SAH instead.

So you have to keep contacting current approved SAHs. In Canada's immigration plan for the next few years, fewer and fewer privately sponsored refugees are being approved. This is around 19,000 people per year so this is why the program has been closed to new groups. Many SAHs took on more than they could handle too so cut back. I know of some approved SAHs who no longer support families because it is a lot of work and they are unable to take on financial undertaking, training, support etc.

 

[canuck78]

Thank you for the information. Since the UNHCR in my country of refuge cannot assist with this, I am looking for a Canadian SAH instead.

This is going to be an incredibly hard route and there is a pretty good chance this program may be put on hold to address some of the backlog since processing is around 4 years these days. In general I would expect that there is a very good Canada will decrease the targets for SAH going forward. Canada has/is attempting to absorb an extremely large number of asylum seekers, refugees and people experiencing other humanitarian and compassionate programs. The country is really struggling with the volume of people, cost and demand on infrastructure. Trying to target an economic immigration pathway has a much higher chance of success. What is your education and what about work history? Do you know French?

 

[alinaSQ]

Do you have an approved SAH because it is not open to new SAH applicants?

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...te-sponsorship-program/agreement-holders.html

As for processing, it is years.

I'm afraid this information is incorrect. IRCC has closed for new SAH group applicants, not for applicants searching for a SAH. But still, to find a SAH willing to spnsor is very very difficult.

 

[canuck78]

I'm afraid this information is incorrect. IRCC has closed for new SAH group applicants, not for applicants searching for a SAH. But still, to find a SAH willing to spnsor is very very difficult.

Agree they haven’t closed it but there is a good chance they may decrease or pause the program going forward as backlogs continue to grow.