Sponsorship agreement holders: How to become a SAH

Apply to become a sponsorship agreement holder

Follow these steps to become a sponsorship agreement holder (SAH):

1. Get the application package
2. Complete SAH training
3. Include supporting documents
4. Submit your application

Step 1. Get the application package

The application package is only available during the application window, which is usually open for 3 months of the year.

The package includes

• an instruction guide
• the forms you need to fill out

Before you submit your application

• sign and date each form
• include all supporting documents (see next steps)

Step 2. Complete SAH training

Before you apply to become a SAH, you must complete mandatory training with the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP).

You’ll get a certificate from the RSTP after your training. Include it with your application.

This training helps you and your representatives prepare to sponsor refugees and explains

• how the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program works
• how to sponsor refugees responsibly and ensure positive settlement outcomes
• how to prepare and train constituent groups (CGs) and co-sponsors
• best practices for managing sponsorships under your agreement
• how to develop oversight and monitoring plans

Who needs to take the training

The training needs to be completed by

• the signatory to your sponsorship agreement, such as your organization’s
  • president
  • chief executive officer (CEO)
  • other top executive
• your organization’s main contact
• any representative(s) you want to submit sponsorship applications

Step 3. Include supporting documents

To submit a complete application, you need to include supporting documents, including audited financial statements. Use the checklist included in the application package to make sure you don’t forget anything.

Step 4. Submit your application

To submit your application, email it with all supporting documents to IRCC.RASOPSR-PPPROSRA.IRCC@cic.gc.ca.

After you submit your application, you’ll get an automatic confirmation that we received it. We’ll contact you with the results of your application after we make a decision.

We assess applications after each application window closes.

If your application is incomplete

We’ll return your application without processing it if it’s incomplete. For example, if you didn’t

• fill in all required forms
• properly sign and date each form
• include all required documents

If we refuse your application

If we refuse your application, we’ll notify you of the reason. You’ll be able to re-apply when we start accepting applications again during the next application window.

If we approve your application

If we approve your application, we’ll send you

• the sponsorship agreement
  • You won’t officially be a SAH until you sign the agreement and return it to us.
• more information about the additional training you need take before you can start sponsoring refugees