2.B Sponsors: From Mobilization to Engagement
B.3 Who is eligible to sponsor and what is their relationship to government?
(viii) What is the date on which the sponsoring group’s undertaking takes effect?
How Canada Does It
A sponsoring group’s undertaking takes effect on the date the sponsored refugees arrive in Canada. The undertaking generally lasts twelve months or until the refugees become self-sufficient, whichever comes first.
While sponsors’ undertaking formally begins upon the refugees’ arrival, sponsors must make adequate preparations for the sponsorship period well before the refugees travel to Canada.
Sponsors are expected to provide financial (see 2.B.3(v)) and settlement support (see 2.B.3(vi) and 2.B.5) for the duration of the sponsorship period. A sponsorship undertaking generally lasts twelve months or until the refugee becomes self-sufficient, whichever happens first.
In special circumstances prior to the refugees’ arrival, however, the length of the undertaking can be extended if the migration officer determines the refugee needs more support to become self-sufficient. In these cases, the Government of Canada may ask a sponsoring group to extend the sponsorship period for up to a maximum of thirty six months. The sponsoring group can refuse this request but the case may be cancelled as a result of the refusal (see 2.D.4(i) for more information).
A sponsored refugee is deemed to be financially self-sufficient when their level of income is equivalent to or greater than Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) rates in their community of settlement.