Become a sponsorship agreement holder

Before you apply, make sure you’re eligible to be a sponsorship agreement holder (SAH) and that you understand the requirements.
If you’re sure your organization qualifies, you can follow these steps to apply:

1. Get the application package
2. Complete SAH training
3. Include supporting documents
4. Submit your application
5. We’ll make a decision on your application

1. Get the application package

   The application package to become a SAH is available only 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

2. Complete SAH training

   Before you apply, 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:

   • whoever signed your sponsorship agreement, like your organization’s
     • president
     • chief executive officer (CEO)
     • other top executive
   • your organization’s main contact
   • any SAH representative(s) you authorize to submit sponsorship applications on your behalf

   Sign up for mandatory RSTP training

3. Include supporting documents

   The document checklist will show you what supporting documents need to be included. Make sure you include them all, otherwise we’ll return your application.

4. Email us your application

   Before you submit your application:

   • sign and date each form
   • include all supporting documents

   Submit your application

   After you submit your application, you’ll get an automatic confirmation that we received it. We assess applications after each application window closes.

5. We’ll make a decision on your application

   If your application is incomplete

   We’ll return your application without processing it if you didn’t:

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

   If we approve your application

   If we approve your application, we’ll send you:

   • the sponsorship agreement, which will confirm how many refugees you’re allowed to sponsor
   • more information about the additional training you need to take before you can start sponsoring refugees

   You won’t officially be a SAH until you:

   1. sign the sponsorship agreement and return it to us
   2. complete the training you’ve been given

   If we refuse your application

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

Join the Canadian Refugee Sponsorship Agreement Holders Association

After you become a SAH, you can join the Canadian Refugee Sponsorship Agreement Holder Association. This association represents the majority of SAHs in Canada. It’s a national membership association governed by the SAH Council to support SAHs working with the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.