If you’re interested in supporting refugee resettlement through the Sudanese Integration and Resettlement Assistance (SIRA) Initiative, we invite you to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Before filling out the form, please read the information below to understand the process and what to expect.
What You Need to Know to Co-Sponsor
Becoming a co-sponsor is a deeply impactful way to privately sponsor refugees displaced by conflict and help them establish a new life in Canada. MOSAIC’s Sudanese Integration and Resettlement Assistance (SIRA) initiative focuses on sponsoring refugees from Sudan and South Sudan—regions affected by ongoing conflict and displacement.
This guide provides an overview of what it means to co-sponsor, including MOSAIC’s role, eligibility criteria, financial requirements, application steps, and what happens after submission. Whether you’re an individual, a community group, or an organization in British Columbia, Canada, this resource will help you understand the co-sponsorship process and your vital role in changing lives.
Why Co-Sponsoring Matters
The humanitarian crises in Sudan and South Sudan have displaced millions. Since April 2023, over 8.6 million people have been forced from their homes, with 4 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Floods, droughts, and conflicts have made life unsustainable for many.
For many refugees, private sponsorship presents a viable route to resettlement. By becoming a co-sponsor, you’re not just offering financial and settlement support; you’re giving individuals and families the chance to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
MOSAIC’s Role in the Sponsorship Process
MOSAIC, a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), manages the sponsorship process from start to finish. Here’s what we do:
- Application Coordination: Guides co-sponsors through the IRCC application process and ensures all documentation meets requirements.
- Fund Management: Receives sponsorship funds from co-sponsors and holds them in trust for disbursement to refugees upon arrival.
- Settlement Guidance: Works with co-sponsors to develop robust settlement plans.
- Support and Monitoring: Ensures co-sponsors and refugees receive guidance during the first year with scheduled check-ins at 2 weeks, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.
We are here to equip co-sponsors with the tools and knowledge needed, ensuring that everyone involved has the best chance of success.
Eligibility Criteria for Co-Sponsors
To become a co-sponsor under the SIRA initiative, you must meet these conditions:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident residing in British Columbia.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Demonstrate the financial capacity to support sponsorship (see financial requirements below).
- Be willing and able to provide settlement support for one year (housing, healthcare, education enrollment, emotional support, etc.).
Community organizations, faith groups, or families can combine efforts to meet these requirements. A minimum of three co-sponsors is required per sponsorship application.
Criteria for Sponsored Individuals
The sponsored individual(s) must meet the criteria below to be eligible for the initiative:
- Citizenship: Be a citizen of Sudan or South Sudan.
- Refugee Status: Qualify under one of Canada’s refugee classes:
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- Convention Refugee Abroad Class (must be located outside their country of nationality and be unable to return home due to persecution based on race, religion, nationality, etc.).
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- Country of Asylum Class (must be located outside their country of nationality and be severely affected by conflict or denied basic human rights).
- Admissibility Checks: Pass Canadian medical, security, and criminality screenings.
- No Durable Solutions Available: Cannot integrate locally or resettle elsewhere.
- Ability to Settle in Canada: Demonstrate potential for a successful life in Canada.
MOSAIC provides guidance to ensure all eligibility steps and required documentation are fulfilled.
Financial Requirements for Sponsorship
To participate as a co-sponsor, you must fulfill specific financial obligations based on federal guidelines:
Sponsorship Funds
Co-sponsors are required to provide funds to cover the refugees’ first year of living expenses in Canada. The amounts vary depending on family size and structure. Please refer to the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program’s Minimum Financial Support Calculator for additional information and sponsorship amounts. If you have questions about sponsorship funds, you may contact us at sira@mosaicbc.org.
Additionally, an administrative fee of $525 applies to cover application preparation costs.
Important Financial Notes
- Full Payment Before Submission: The full amount must be deposited in MOSAIC’s trust account before submission to guarantee funds will be available upon the refugees’ arrival.
- Source of Funds: Refugees cannot contribute to the sponsorship funds.
- No MOSAIC Financial Aid: MOSAIC does not provide financial assistance for sponsorship funds.
By fulfilling these financial commitments, co-sponsors reaffirm their dedication to offering a secure, supported transition for refugee families.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Here’s how you can get started with sponsorship:
- Expression of Interest (EOI)
We encourage prospective Co-Sponsors to complete the SIRA EOI form as soon as possible to ensure consideration for the 2025 submission.
As SIRA is a three-year initiative running until 2027, the EOI will re-open annually. If you are not contacted this year, we encourage you to check back on our website for future opportunities to submit an Expression of Interest in subsequent years.
- Screening Interview
EOI forms will be reviewed, and selected co-sponsors will be invited for interviews to evaluate their readiness and gather detailed refugee documentation.
- Deposit Sponsorship Funds
Approved candidates must deposit the required funds into MOSAIC’s trust account and pay the administrative fee.
- Finalizing Applications
Work with MOSAIC to compile complete applications, including case narratives and refugee identification, and submit them to IRCC.
- Prepare for Arrival
Once IRCC and visa offices approve applications, sponsors must plan for the refugees’ arrival, arranging for housing, appointments, and community support.
Comprehensive Processing Timelines
The application process consists of several steps, and timelines vary widely by country at IRCC visa offices, and may differ based on individual circumstances and visa office procedures. Factors such as case complexity, regional processing capacity, and local conditions impact the duration.
MOSAIC will keep co-sponsors and sponsored individuals informed at each stage, providing updates as they become available to ensure everyone involved is well-prepared and supported throughout the process.
Your Impact in Changing Lives
Co-sponsorship is not just a financial or logistical commitment. It’s a humanitarian partnership grounded in compassion and community. By participating in this effort, you are not only helping refugees find safety but also supporting the values of inclusion and solidarity that strengthen our society.
To learn more about this initiative, read the program launch announcement. For case-specific inquiries, please reach out to us at sira@mosaicbc.org.
