Private Sponsorship

The Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) is a federal government initiative that helps refugee newcomers settle and integrate into Canada.

Newcomers often rely on sponsors to help them settle into a new society, but sometimes problems arise. Conflicts can happen between newcomers and their sponsors or with others in the community. These conflicts, caused by different information, needs, values, or relationship issues, can make it hard for newcomers to fit in if not resolved properly.

Sponsorship groups are responsible for providing income support, plus start-up costs, to the refugee(s) they sponsor.

The Private Sponsorship of Refugee Program involves two groups: the sponsors and the refugee applicants. Each has rights and responsibilities at every stage of the sponsorship that need to be understood by everyone involved in the sponsorship.