Government Assisted Refugee (GAR program)

(REF-OVS-2)

This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

A person outside Canada who is confirmed to be a Convention Refugee may be entitled to receive support after resettlement in Canada. The government-assisted refugee is selected from referrals received by an authorized organization. The sequence of processing stages is outlined below.

1. Identification of refugee

2. Eligibility assessments

3. Admissibility assessments

4. Final decisions for resettlement

5. Arrangements for resettlement and support in Canada


Cases for priority or special processing
Considerations for assessing and processing special or priority case groups. Includes cases referred for urgent protection, vulnerable cases, public policies, applicants who are persecuted on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity expression (SOGIE-LGBTQI) and other groups requiring special attention.

Resettlement: Program delivery partners – roles and responsibilities
Key partners within and outside of IRCC and their respective responsibilities regarding resettlement.

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