Private sponsorship programmes allow individuals, groups, or organizations to support refugees in moving to another country and rebuilding their lives there.
In private sponsorship programmes, sponsors identify and support the refugees they wish to sponsor. Sponsored individuals are often family members, relatives, friends, or people known to the sponsoring community.
UNHCR does not select or refer refugees for private sponsorship and cannot influence sponsorship decisions. Admission decisions are made by the sponsors and the authorities of the destination country.
Examples of private sponsorship programmes include:
- Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees Programme
- Australia’s Community Support Programme and other humanitarian sponsorship initiatives
For information on available private sponsorship opportunities, please consult the relevant programme or country authorities directly.