Based on the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act(IRPA): You can initiate resettlement for those who are in refugee-like situations outside of their own country AND outside of Canada, and their life would be at risk upon return to their homeland, AND who have no other durable solution.

No, you should not even start any process if the people are still in their own country of origin. Keep in mind that they might be banned from the program if they relocate only for resettlement purposes.

Cosponsors, who wish to sponsor a family member that is in need of refugee resettlement, are encouraged to visit our website at www.orat.ca to find out if we are accepting applications. Submission of a case requires available spots, which are provided to each SAH annually by the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The number of spots indicates the number of refugees that a SAH can submit sponsorship applications for in any given year. Each year, ORAT runs a program for members of the General Public who wish to sponsor a family member. Program details are announced on our website in advance of the registration. Given the high demand for refugee sponsorship, we conduct a random draw of registered cases. Those fortunate enough to be selected are invited to attend the Introduction to Resettlement information session. Attendance at the session marks the first step for those who wish to sponsor a refugee through ORAT.

A refugee does not have to be Roman Catholic or a Christian to be resettled through this office. It is important to note that ORAT sponsors refugees of many different faiths and those without faith. However, in light of the tremendous persecution faced by Christians in many parts of the world, and the under-representation of Christian refugees in the resettlement efforts of western governments, ORAT’s efforts are particularly focused on assisting Christian refugees. To that end, it has worked closely with both Eastern Rite and Orthodox churches, whose communities have been deeply affected by the global refugee crisis. Each year, ORAT also runs a program for members of the General Public, which is intended to assist those who are not Christian to sponsor a family member.

A refugee is not able to sponsors themselves. It is the refugee’s responsibility to contact and/or find a family member of friend currently loving in the Greater Toronto Area. It is the friend or family member’s responsibility (also known as the cosponsor) to register through one of ORAT’s programs, like the program for members of the General Public. If a cosponsor lives outside of the Greater Toronto Area, we suggest that the refugee, along with the cosponsor, look up a SAH in their respective community. Please check the “About ORAT” page for the link to Immigration Canada’s website.

The cost of sponsorship is determined by Immigration Canada. The forecasted financial liability varies by family size and assumes a two-year processing time. Since we are not provided with any forward visibility to the cost of sponsorship, we have applied a 5% compounded annual increase to the current cost of sponsorship. Estimated Liability for Cases Submitted in 2020 (Expected 2022 Arrival) Family Size Estimated Liability 1- $18,300 2- $27,500 3- $29,600 4- $31,800 5- $34,000 6- $35,500 7 or more, for each additional member, add $1,500 "Financial Deposit: For cases that have dependent children 16 years of age or older but under the age of 21 at the time of submission to IRCC, each dependent child will be treated as an individual rather than as part of a family unit.$18,300 is required for each dependent child. Please adjust the financial requirement for the remaining members of the family accordingly. Immigration Forms: Any family with dependent children 16 years of age or older but under the age of 21 will be treated as one case.

Groups of Five (G5) – at least five Canadian citizens or permanent residents can initiate refugee sponsorship if they fulfill the criteria. Community Sponsorship (CS) – incorporated or unincorporated organization, association, or business, based in the community where the refugees are expected to settle if they fulfill the criteria. Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) – there are over 100 different faith-based, ethnic, or community organizations that have Sponsorship Agreements with the Government of Canada. The Office for Refugees (ORAT) represents the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto – with their Constituent Groups (CG): parishes, convents, and religious institutions or any other ethnic or faith groups if they fulfill the criteria.