Sponsor a refugee you know
You can sponsor refugees you know. They still have to meet the definition of a refugee.
1. Create an account or sign in
You must apply online using the Permanent Residence (PR) Portal. The person who starts the online application will be considered the “primary sponsor” in the portal. They need to use your SAH’s primary contact email for this account.
If you’re a paid representative for a sponsor
You can start an application in the Representative PR Portal (opens in a new tab) for your client. You’ll need to invite them to join your application.
If you’re a paid representative for a refugee
- You need to be invited by the primary sponsor.
- You’ll need to upload the Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (PDF, 648.31 KB) form.
If you’re an unpaid representative for a refugee
- You’ll need to create a regular account on the Permanent Residence Portal.
- The primary sponsor needs to invite you to join the application.
- You’ll need to upload the Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (PDF, 648.31 KB) form.
Request an alternate format (braille, large print or paper)
If you or your representative can’t apply online and require accommodations, including for a disability, you may ask for the application package in one of these alternate formats:
- braille
- large print
- paper
To request another format:
Prepare a new email
- In the subject line of your email, include
- the format you need (braille, large print or paper)
- the application package you want
- In the body of your email, copy and paste the text below. Then, fill in the missing information.
- Requested Format: [Braille / Large Print / Paper]
- Application Package: [Name of the application package or program]
- Preferred Language: [English / French]
- Delivery Method: [Email / Regular Mail in Canada]
- Applicant or Sponsor Information:
- Full Name (as shown on passport):
- Email Address (if requesting electronic delivery):
- Mailing Address (if requesting regular mail – Canada only):
Please do not add extra information as it is not necessary and will not be taken into consideration to send out the alternate format.
- In the subject line of your email, include
Send your email to: IRCC.PRPortalALTRequest-DemandeALTPortailRP.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
Note: we will only reply to requests for alternate formats. We won't reply to any other types of requests.
After we review your request, we’ll send the package in the format and delivery method you chose, with instructions on how to send your application back to IRCC.
If you need additional assistance applying with an alternate format, call 1-888-242-2100 (from inside Canada only).
If you’re getting help with your application from someone else
You can ask someone to help you with your immigration application.
There are special requirements depending on what kind of help you’re getting:
If you’re using a paid immigration representative
Paid immigration representatives need to be authorized (opens in a new tab).
If you want to use a paid representative, you must:
- download the Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) form
- complete and sign it
- get your representative to sign it
- upload it with your application
A paid representative can fill out forms and communicate with us for you through their own account. They can also:
- help you prepare the documents you need to upload
- answer questions about the forms
They can’t:
- open a portal account on your behalf
- electronically sign the application for you
- sign in to the portal using your username and password
After you read the declaration, you must be the one to type your name. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed” according to Canada’s immigration law.
You don’t need to hire a representative. Using one will not draw special attention to your application and doesn’t mean we’ll approve it.
If you’re using an unpaid representative
Unpaid representatives don’t need to be authorized or certified. They can be:
- family members
- friends
- anyone else who doesn’t charge you a fee
If you want to use an unpaid representative, you must:
- submit the Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) form
- complete and sign it
- get your representative to sign it
- upload it with your application
An unpaid representative can:
- help you open a PR portal account
- fill out forms for you, but not sign them
- communicate with us for you
- help you prepare the documents you need to upload
- answer questions about immigration forms
They can’t electronically sign the application for you.
After you read the declaration, you must be the one to type your name. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed” according to Canada’s immigration law.
If you’re getting help from someone who isn’t a representative
You don’t need to tell us that you’re getting help from someone as long as they don’t:
- advise you on which program to apply for
- complete or update your application as you
- act as you when dealing with us
They can help you:
- use our website to find information
- access a computer, scanner or printer
- navigate our portals and accounts in your presence
- view and open electronic forms
- download/upload documents
- get your documents translated
- make travel plans
If you want us to release information from your application to someone else
If you want us to give information from your application to someone else (not a representative)
- Download the Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475) form.
- Complete and sign it (digitally or by hand).
- Get the person who needs your information to sign it too.
- Upload it with your application.
If you’re having technical issues
If you’re having technical issues applying, contact us using the web form (opens in a new tab).
- Select your problem.
- Under Tell us about yourself:
- If you don’t have a unique client identifier number, enter 1111111111.
- If you haven’t submitted an application yet, and don’t have an application number, enter 0000000.
- Under Tell us about your technical issue:
- Specify the program you’re trying to apply under.
- Explain any problems that you’re having.
- Upload screenshots from your account that show us both
- the page and fields where you’re having problems, and
- any error messages you’re getting.
Get your documents translated and certified if they’re not in English or French
Each supporting document that isn’t in English or French must have 2 parts:
- an English or French translation that’s:
- stamped by a certified translator
- Their certification must be confirmed by a seal or stamp that shows the translator’s membership number.
- The translator should also photocopy your original document and stamp it if that’s what they based the translation on.
- All stamps and seals that aren’t in English or French must also be translated.
- You can include a scanned copy of a letter explaining that you don’t need an affidavit because you used a certified translator.
- accompanied by an affidavit from the person who completed the translation, swearing that their translation is true and accurate,
- The affidavit must be signed in the presence of an authorized person
- Use this option only if a translation cannot be completed by a certified translator.
- Both the translated document and the original document the translator worked from must be referred to in the affidavit.
- stamped by a certified translator
- a scan of the original document, or a scan of a certified photocopy of the original document, that the translator worked from.
- You only need to provide a scan of a certified photocopy of the original document if the translation was based on the certified photocopy.
Who cannot translate documents?
- Your family members
- Your immigration representative or consultant
Get copies of documents certified
To have a copy of a document certified, an authorized person must compare it to the original document and print the following on the copy:
- “I certify that this is a true copy of the original document.”
- the name of the original document
- the date of the certification
- the name of the authorized person
- their official position or title
- their signature
Who can certify copies and be the witness to an affidavit
In Canada, examples of authorized persons who can certify the copies of your original documents and be the witness to an affidavit include:
- a notary public
- a commissioner of oaths
- a commissioner of taking affidavits
Authority to certify varies by province and territory. Check with your provincial or territorial authorities to be sure who can certify your documents.
Outside Canada, each country has different authorities to certify documents. A notary public may be able to certify your documents, but you should check with your local authorities to be sure.
Who cannot certify copies or be the witness to an affidavit
An authorized person can’t certify a copy of a document or be the witness to an affidavit if they’re also:
- the principal applicant or the applicant’s sponsor (if this applies)
- a family member of the principal applicant or the applicant’s sponsor (parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or first cousin)
2. Get your forms and documents ready
You must use the document checklist to make sure you include all the forms and documents you need.
Make sure you:
- fill out each form completely
- answer all questions truthfully
- sign and date all forms
Forms and documents for the sponsor
PDF forms you’ll download and fill out
These depend on your assigned risk management plan.
Plan A, B and C:
- Sponsorship Undertaking and Settlement Plan – Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAH) (IMM 5373) (opens in a new tab)
- Sponsor Assessment (IMM 5492) (opens in a new tab) if this applies
- for the CG signing authority, the organizational co‑sponsor’s signing authority and each co‑sponsor
Plan A only
- Settlement Plan – Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAH) – Risk Management Plan A (IMM 5440) (opens in a new tab)
- Complete this form for each sponsorship undertaking. Only submit it if we ask.
Plan C only
- Financial Profile (IMM 5373B) (opens in a new tab) for each co-sponsor giving personal income or to the trust account
- Proof of funds: in trust, personal income or both
If you need to appoint a community representative
- Appointment of Representative(s) in Expected Community of Settlement (IMM 5956) (opens in a new tab)
- Fill out if you don’t meet the residency requirements and want to appoint a representative in the community you expect the refugee(s) to settle in.
Supporting documents you need to upload
If you’re the CG signing authority, organizational co-sponsor’s signing authority, or an individual co-sponsor:
- proof of Canadian citizenship, Indian status or permanent residence status
Documents for the person (refugee) being sponsored
Forms you’ll fill out directly in the portal
- Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
- Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
PDF forms you’ll download and fill out
- Schedule 2: Refugees Outside Canada (IMM 0008/Schedule 2) (opens in a new tab)
Supporting documents you need to upload
- 1 photo of you and each of your family members
- ID documents for you and each of your family members
- any other supporting documents
- Examples include civil documents, diplomas, membership cards and military documents.
3. Submit your completed application
Before you submit your application, make sure you:
- answer all questions
- sign, date and upload all your forms
- upload all your supporting documents
If your application is incomplete, we’ll return it. You’ll have to fix any errors and then re‑submit it.