Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH)
Statutory definition
IRPR ss 138–143 define SAHs as organisations that have signed an agreement with the Minister. SAHs include national religious organisations (churches, synagogues, mosques), ethnic community organisations, and other incorporated non-profit organisations. Each SAH manages an annual quota of sponsorships allocated by IRCC and is responsible for the compliance of its constituent groups.
Explanation
SAHs are the backbone of Canada's private refugee sponsorship system. Large SAHs — such as national church denominations — can sponsor hundreds of refugees per year through their networks of local congregations (constituent groups). The SAH structure allows small community groups (that could not individually qualify as sponsors) to sponsor refugees under the umbrella of a larger organisation. New organisations can apply to become SAHs, but the process requires a demonstrated organisational capacity to manage sponsorships.