Humanitarian program for Afghan nationals in need of resettlement: How the program works

We’re working with trusted international and Canadian partners to implement this new humanitarian program.

You can’t apply directly to this humanitarian program.

The program will resettle Afghan nationals in 2 ways.

1. Government-assisted refugees

Under the government-assisted refugees program, we’ll resettle Afghan nationals to Canada and provide support for up to one year after arrival.

You must be referred to us by one of the following referral partners:

• United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
  • Find out about the UNHCR’s process to resettle refugees.
• Front Line Defenders (for human rights defenders only)
• ProtectDefenders.eu (for human rights defenders only)

If you’re a human rights defender

There’s currently a high level of need among Afghan human rights defenders. Front Line Defenders and ProtectDefenders.eu can only refer the human rights defenders who are most at risk. For these organizations to consider you for referral, it’s expected that you

• actively promote and protect human rights and
• face a direct risk because of this work

2. Privately sponsored refugees

You can also resettle to Canada if a group sponsors you as a refugee. Sponsors could be either

• a sponsorship agreement holder (an organization that helps support refugees when they resettle in Canada) or
• an organization, or a group of 5 or more people, in Canada that has volunteered to sponsor referred refugees

Sponsor groups would support you for the sponsorship period, which is usually up to 1 year. Their support includes

• start-up costs, like furniture and clothing
• ongoing monthly costs for necessities like housing, food and public transportation
• social and emotional support