Regulation 102 — Privately Sponsored Refugees
Text of provision
(1) For the purpose of determining whether a foreign national, as a member of the self-employed persons class, and their family members will be able to become economically established in Canada, an officer shall assess the foreign national on the basis of the following factors:
(a) age, in accordance with section 102.1;
(b) education, in accordance with section 102.2;
(c) proficiency in the official languages of Canada, in accordance with section 102.3;
(d) experience, in accordance with section 103; and
(e) adaptability, in accordance with section 105.
(2) A foreign national who is assessed on the basis of the factors set out in paragraphs (1)(a) to (e) shall be awarded the applicable number of assessment points for each factor set out in the provision referred to in each of those paragraphs, subject to the maximum number set out in that provision for that factor.
Plain English
Regulation 102 defines the Privately Sponsored Refugee class as members of the Convention Refugees Abroad class or the Country of Asylum class who are sponsored by a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH), a Group of Five (G5) Canadians or permanent residents, or a Community Sponsor.
Private sponsors are responsible for the financial and settlement needs of the sponsored refugee and their family for one year after arrival, rather than the government bearing this cost.
Practical effect
The PSR program allows Canadian communities, churches, and individuals to directly sponsor refugees. The sponsorship commitment (typically one year of financial support equivalent to provincial social assistance levels) requires sponsors to demonstrate financial capacity. Unlike the GAR program, PSR sponsors have more involvement in the selection and reception of the sponsored person. Processing times for PSR applications have historically been long (2–3+ years in some countries of departure). Joint Assistance Sponsorships (JAS) combine government and private support for complex cases.