Refugee Resettlement from Outside Canada

The Resettlement from Outside Canada pathway is a humanitarian program for individuals who are outside their home country and are unable to return because of a well-founded fear of persecution or the effects of war. Unlike most Canadian immigration programs, you cannot apply directly to the Canadian government for this status. Instead, you must be referred by a designated international organization or sponsored by a private group within Canada.

This pathway is distinct from the "In-Canada Asylum" process. While asylum seekers apply for protection after they have already arrived on Canadian soil, resettled refugees are screened, interviewed, and approved for Permanent Residency before they ever board a plane to Canada.

• The "Lock-in" Date: The age of your dependent children is "locked" on the day your application is received. This ensures that if a child turns 22 during the long waiting period, they are still considered a "dependent" for the purposes of your application.
• Declaration of Family: You must declare every family member on your application, even if they are missing or you do not want them to come to Canada right now. If you fail to declare a family member, you will be permanently barred from sponsoring them later under the One-Year Window or Family Class.
• Quota Reductions: Under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada has reduced the number of available spots for Privately Sponsored Refugees to 16,000 per year to manage existing backlogs.

Upon arrival in Canada through this pathway, you are granted Permanent Resident status immediately. This gives you the following rights:

• Right to Work and Study: You may work for any employer and attend any educational institution in Canada without a separate permit.
• Social Benefits: You have access to most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including universal healthcare coverage.
• Resettlement Assistance: If you are a Government-Assisted Refugee, you receive up to 12 months of income support and essential services (like help finding a place to live) through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP).
• Family Reunification: Under the One-Year Window (OYW) provision, you can request to bring non-accompanying immediate family members to Canada if you apply within one year of your arrival.
• Path to Citizenship: You can apply for Canadian Citizenship once you have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) out of the five years preceding your application.
• Freedom of Movement: You have the right to live, work, and move anywhere within Canada. (Note: If you are destined for Quebec, you must meet that province's specific selection criteria).