Private sponsorship programmes provide individuals, groups of individuals or organizations with an opportunity to sponsor refugees to come to their country, thus offering them protection and a new home. In private sponsorship, the sponsors directly engage in the efforts to admit displaced persons in their country. They are the ones identifying, selecting, and supporting the entry and stay of people in need of international protection, who are not referred by UNHCR. While sponsors can freely choose whom to support, the individuals sponsored most often include nuclear and/or extended family members of the sponsors or people known to the community.
Please beware of individuals claiming false affiliation to UNHCR and/or its partners including outside the UNHCR Office or on various social media platforms. Do not trust anyone who claims to provide services on behalf of UNHCR including resettlement and complementary pathways in exchange for money or favors.
Can UNHCR identify someone who is willing to sponsor me and apply on my behalf? ⬇
No, UNHCR is not able to identify a sponsor for you. For Canada, you can look online at different Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) organizations which may be willing to sponsor you. Alternatively, your family and friends in a third country may be able to sponsor you.
I can’t afford the costs associated with private sponsorship, can UNHCR pay? ⬇
There are often costs associated with sponsorship programmes. This could include passport renewal fees, medical tests, and transport, among others.
UNHCR cannot provide financial support to cover these costs, but if you are unable to proceed with your application due to financial constraints inform UNHCR as there may be alternatives to reduce or remove these financial barriers.
Can UNHCR help me to secure documentation from my home country to support my sponsorship application? ⬇
No, UNHCR cannot directly assist with obtaining documentation from your home country. You need to make sure you have all required documents ready before applying.
If you are unable to produce a required document and this is preventing you from moving ahead with your sponsorship application, inform UNHCR. There may be alternatives that can be used instead.
I am an asylum seeker, but I need to be a refugee to apply for a private sponsorship programme. Can UNHCR grant me refugee status? ⬇
No. UNHCR cannot consider for refugee status for the purpose of accessing private sponsorship programmes.
I need to travel to an embassy to finalize my application/attend an interview, but I don’t have a passport. Can UNHCR help me to travel to the embassy in Jordan/Iran/Türkiye/Lebanon? ⬇
Yes, if you have been asked to travel for an appointment in an embassy in a neighboring country, but you are unable to do so legally, please inform UNHCR. This is something we can assist with.