Canada’s Changing Refugee Resettlement Commitments: What You Need to Know
Canada has long been a beacon for refugee resettlement, welcoming those fleeing conflict through Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR), Private Sponsorship (PSR), and blended referral programs. Its Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) supports newcomers with reception, settlement services, and income assistance during their first year in Canada.
In recent years, Canada has responded to emerging crises by adjusting its resettlement commitments. Most notably, in February 2025, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced that Canada will resettle up to 4,000 Sudanese refugees through government assistance by the end of 2026, and will support an additional 700 Sudanese refugees via private sponsorship, including a waiver in some cases for formal refugee status documents.
Furthermore, Canada has enhanced its family-based permanent residence pathway for those affected by the conflict in Sudan. The number of accepted applications was increased from 3,250 to over 5,000, enabling approximately 10,000 people to reunite with family in Canada. The requirement that the Canadian anchor live outside Quebec was removed.
However, these commitments come with practical constraints. As of April 2025, the family-based pathway for those affected by Sudan conflict is no longer accepting new applications; only previously submitted applications are being processed. To address backlog pressures, IRCC also temporarily paused new applications under the PSR program for Groups of Five and Community Sponsors as of November 29, 2024. This pause is intended to last until December 31, 2025, and aims to stabilise processing timelines.
For Sudan specifically, a temporary public policy allowed up to 160 applications from groups of five/community sponsors to sponsor Sudanese refugees without requiring a formal refugee status determination document. This public policy is now closed.
Globally, crises in Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere continue to drive forced displacement. Canada’s response under the Carney administration appears measured: while the government continues humanitarian commitments, its 2025–27 Immigration Levels Plan also lowers overall resettlement targets and shifts emphasis toward more controlled, prioritised pathways.
What Aspiring Resettlement Applicants Should Consider
First, refugee resettlement is not a direct application process. You must be referred by UNHCR or a designated referral agency, or by a private sponsorship group in collaboration with IRCC. Second, meeting referral does not guarantee approval. Security, health, identity and admissibility screenings are strict, and consular or local conditions may hamper processing or travel. Third, keep a close eye on policy windows. Many special resettlement or family-reunification pathways have application caps, opening and closing dates, or limited quotas (e.g. the Sudan family pathway described above). Missing the intake window may close that pathway forever.
Fourth, maintain documentation and proof of relationship: birth certificates, civil registration, proof of residence, identity documents, etc. For the Sudan pathways, proof of residence in Sudan as of April 15, 2023 is required. Fifth, be aware of the PSR pause. If your case would normally rely on private sponsorship (Groups of Five or community sponsors), you may have to wait until intake resumes. Finally, consider whether other permanent residence routes (economic, PNP, family sponsorship) might be more reliable or timely depending on your circumstances.
✅ How Ayodele Law Can Help
The landscape of refugee resettlement in Canada is shifting, but opportunities remain, especially for those fleeing crisis zones like Sudan. If you or your family are eligible or have been directed for resettlement, do not go through this alone. At Ayodele Law Professional Corporation, we guide you through eligibility assessment, referral strategies, legal support in applications, and appeals if needed.
📞Book a consultation today to give your application the best possible chance of success
