Important Update: IRCC Extends Pause on Private Refugee Sponsorship Applications Until End of 2026
- What Changed: The temporary pause on accepting new refugee sponsorship applications from Groups of Five and Community Sponsors has been extended.
- Who Is Affected: Canadians and community organizations planning to submit new sponsorship applications under these two specific streams.
- Key Date: The intake pause is now in effect until December 31, 2026.
On November 21, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a significant extension to the temporary pause on new applications for two popular streams within the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program. This measure, aimed at reducing a substantial backlog and lengthy processing times, affects prospective sponsors in the Groups of Five and Community Sponsor streams. The pause, originally implemented on November 29, 2024, will now continue until the end of 2026.
Who Does This Affect?
This extension directly impacts specific groups of potential sponsors. It is crucial to understand who is and who is not affected by this decision.
- Affected: Canadians and permanent residents planning to form new Groups of Five to sponsor a refugee. No new applications from this stream will be accepted until the pause is lifted.
- Affected: Organizations planning to submit a new application as a Community Sponsor. This stream is also closed to new intake.
- Not Affected: Sponsors who submitted a complete application under either stream before November 29, 2024. IRCC has confirmed that these applications will continue to be processed.
- Not Affected: Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) and their constituent groups. This pause does not apply to the SAH stream of the PSR program.
Detailed Breakdown of the Changes
The announcement from IRCC provides clarity on the duration and scope of the extended application pause.
The New Timeline
The temporary pause on new application intake for the Groups of Five and Community Sponsor streams is officially extended until December 31, 2026. IRCC will not accept any new applications submitted through these channels during this period.
Reasoning for the Extension
IRCC has stated that the decision is a direct response to the program's success and popularity. The department noted that "high demand for the PSR Program has resulted in a large volume of applications and lengthy wait times." By extending the pause, IRCC aims to dedicate its resources to processing the existing inventory of applications, providing more timely decisions for those who have already applied.
Commitment to Refugee Resettlement
Despite the pause on new intake for these two streams, IRCC emphasized that Canada's commitment to refugee resettlement remains firm. The department confirmed that "Canada will continue to welcome refugees through the PSR Program during this temporary pause, in line with the admissions targets set out in the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan."
Context and Implications (The "Why")
This extension is a clear backlog-reduction strategy. The Private Sponsorship of Refugees program is a cornerstone of Canada's humanitarian immigration efforts, allowing everyday Canadians to play a direct role in welcoming newcomers. However, its popularity has outpaced the government's processing capacity, leading to frustratingly long waits for both sponsors and the vulnerable individuals they seek to help. This operational pause is intended to reset the system, allowing IRCC to clear existing files and improve processing efficiency before reopening intake.
For potential sponsors, this means a significant delay. Groups that were preparing to submit an application will now have to wait until at least 2027. This underscores the importance of exploring all available sponsorship pathways and staying informed about future program updates.
How to Prepare
For those impacted by this extended pause, here are some actionable next steps:
- Stay Informed: Regularly check the official IRCC website for the most current information on the Private Sponsorship of Refugees program and announcements regarding the eventual reopening of intake. You can find official updates on their news page at .
- Consider Partnering with an SAH: The Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) stream remains open. Potential sponsors could research and connect with an established SAH in their community to explore partnership opportunities.
- Strengthen Your Plan: Use this additional time to enhance your settlement plan, organize your finances, and build a stronger support network for when the program reopens.
Conclusion
The extension of the pause on new Groups of Five and Community Sponsor applications until December 31, 2026, is a critical measure by IRCC to manage overwhelming demand and reduce backlogs. While this news will be disappointing for many prospective sponsors, the focus remains on processing existing applications and ensuring the long-term integrity of Canada's world-renowned refugee sponsorship program. All stakeholders are encouraged to monitor official channels for further developments as 2027 approaches.