Refugee Sponsorship Mission
Learn how Refugee Sponsorship works
How we got started
In April of 2022, Immanuel was asked by a church member if we would consider being the sponsors for a sibling with spouse and five children living as refugees in Africa.
Without any knowledge but idealistic expectations, and several dead ends, the path eventually led us to Canadian Lutheran World Relief. That was when we found out that this is a very long and bureaucratic process which requires a considerable amount of money and then literally takes years from the first step until the refugee finally arrives in Canada. An eyeopener indeed.
Who all is involved in Canada
Immanuel Lutheran Church (ILC) works together with an arm of Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR). It is a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) with the government of Canada. This agreement is a legal agreement between CLWR and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). By signing this agreement, CLWR accepts the legal responsibility for ensuring that refugees sponsored through CLWR receive all the support as per the provisions in the Sponsorship Agreement.
As Sponsorship Agreement Holder, CLWR authorizes Constituent Groups (CG’s) such as Immanuel and a co-sponsor (family member in Canada) on a private sponsorship case. Through this arrangement, settlement responsibilities are shared through a sponsorship partnership between a CG and/or the co-sponsor.
Paperwork and documentation
There is a considerable number of various documents which must be completed electronically by the refugees, Immanuel and the co-sponsors. The SAH will assure that the Applicant is a documented refugee, as verified by the current host country of the refugee and is eligible to be sponsored as such.. They in turn will check all forms for completeness, correctness and associated documentation from the current host country. Once all the criteria are met along with the financial commitment, then they will submit the application to the IRCC.
Support responsibilities
It essentially says that a sponsor (ILC) along with the co-sponsors will be responsible for the new arrivals for the duration of at least the first 12 months, by having specified housing available to them. Along with a long to-do list to help them getting settled and finding their way through the physical and bureaucratic parts of life in Canada. The social/personal responsibility however should not end, as the family will continue to get settled and adjusted to this great country of ours. They are not allowed to leave the community during the first year.
Financial responsibility
A financial support commitment by the sponsor for this is laid out by the Government.
For this family in rounded up numbers is $45,000.00 The IRCC uses a formula based on the size of the applicant’s family. Children over the age of 18 are considered adults and must fill out their own documents. It also increases the required financial commitment.
The full amount must be submitted to the SAH before any application will be submitted to the IRCC. The funds will be held in trust until the arrival of the sponsored family. Then it will be paid out in specific amounts to the newly arrived family. There is an initial payment of about 25% on arrival, with the remainder being paid in 12 equal instalments. Should the application be denied or be withdrawn, these funds are returned to ILC with interest.
The waiting begins
Now everything is totally out of our hands. The various Government entities will do what they need to do. The Government will loan funds to the applicants for costs incurred during the interviewing process as well as the eventual transportation to Canada. This loan will have to be repaid by the successful applicant once in Canada, over a pre-determined time period, half of which is interest-free. This is the responsibility of the now -Permanent Resident of Canada-. The sponsor (Immanuel) is NOT allowed to pay for this.
Housing requirement, job prospects
Because the co-sponsoring sibling living in Canada (and her husband) own a large home in the city, they want and expect the new arrivals to be living with them. The husband of the sibling in Canada will have immediate job availability for the newly arriving man. He has been able to get jobs lined up for others in the past, even during the economic downturn.
Financial promises
At the time of our specially called congregational meeting on November 6, 2022 all required funding was promised. About 50% of promised immediate donations and the other 50% in the form of a 0% loan over 3 years by one very generous supporter. This loan will be paid back through further donations and fundraisers.
Please note that once sponsored refugees arrive in Canada, they are permanent residents and are eligible for provincial health coverage and a Social Insurance Number. As the sponsorship undertaking year starts from the day they arrive in Canada, financial and settlement needs must be covered from day one by the sponsoring group. They should NOT be accessing social assistance programs during this period. If the refugees’ resort to using social assistance programs or Disability Support Program during the sponsorship year, this will also constitute as one of the reasons for a sponsorship breakdown.
From the SAH information sheet
Final Note
It is our hope that the above information will help you to understand the process of this new mission.
Do you have further questions?
Contact: missions@immanuellutheran.ca or the church office to be directed to a team member.
Where are we now
For current information and updates.
For information how to contribute to this mission.