For Privately Sponsored Refugees

As a privately sponsored refugee, you become a permanent resident when you land in Canada. Your sponsors and settlement workers will be there to help you become independent and familiar with your new home by the end of the sponsorship period. Find information to help you along your settlement journey here.

Starting March 31, 2025, the WelcomeOntario.ca website will no longer be updated. After more than 9 years of supporting privately sponsored refugees content will soon move to Settlement.Org for refugees and private sponsors and SettlementAtWork.Org for sector information.

Latest Articles for Sponsored Refugees

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Mar 04, 2025 3 min. read

Can I travel outside Canada as a refugee?

Yes. If you're in Canada as a refugee, you can travel outside the country, but until you become a Canadian citizen, there are a few things to consider.
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Mar 04, 2025 2 min. read

What is the role of the UNHCR in resettlement programs?

The UNHCR “has the responsibility to work with countries in protecting uprooted people and finding them permanent solutions”. Canada relies on the UNHCR to help determine which refugees will resettle in Canada.
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Mar 04, 2025 2 min. read

Are there any groups or associations from my culture?

Yes. There are many associations and groups that are specific to different cultures.
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Latest FAQ for Sponsored Refugees

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Find a refugee-serving agency nearby.

Services Near Me

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Additional Resources

Looking for more information related to your settlement in Ontario? Visit these websites:

Settlement.Org

Settlement.Org provides newcomers with relevant, comprehensive, up-to-date and reliable information they can trust to help them settle in Ontario.

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211 Ontario

211 Ontario is a helpline and online database of Ontario's community and social services.

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Latest News & Stories

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Nov 29, 2024 1 min. read

Temporary pause on intake of refugee sponsorship applications from Groups of Five and Community Sponsors

News Release Ottawa, November 29, 2024 – Canada has temporarily paused new refugee sponsorship applications from Groups of Five and Community Sponsors under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program…
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Oct 23, 2024 2 min. read

UNHCR Projected Global Resettlement Needs 2025

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) indicates an increase in resettlement needs for 2025 compared to 2024.
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May 27, 2024 2 min. read

UNHCR Projected Global Resettlement Needs Assessment 2024

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) indicates an increase in resettlement needs for 2024 compared to 2023.
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