The Sponsorship Department/Ministry is dedicated to supporting refugees and vulnerable individuals from around the world who are fleeing conflict, persecution, or hardship. While our work initially focused on assisting Eritrean refugees, we have since expanded our mission to include individuals from a variety of backgrounds -including those affected by the ongoing conflict in Sudan and others in urgent need of protection and support.
We work in collaboration with governmental and private organizations that facilitate refugee sponsorship from Africa and other regions. Sponsorship opportunities (quotas) are distributed fairly among eligible members of the church community through a transparent draw process, ensuring equity and integrity.
Canada Sponsorship Forms for Sponsors & Refugees
Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) is the main permanent residence application form used to capture the principal applicant’s identity details, family members, and basic application information for many PR categories, including refugees outside Canada.
Common examples:
1. Used as the core PR form in an overseas refugee application package (submitted with supporting forms like IMM 5669 and IMM 0008 Schedule 2).
2. Used to list accompanying and non-accompanying family members and dependants (up to the form’s limit).
Important: If you have more dependants than IMM 0008 allows, you must also use IMM 0008DEP for each additional dependant.
Additional Dependants / Declaration Form (IMM 0008 DEP)
Additional Dependants/Declaration (IMM 0008DEP) is used when the principal applicant has more dependants than can be included on the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008). It lets you provide the same dependant details for any additional family members not listed on IMM 0008.
Common examples:
1. You are applying as a family and there is not enough space on IMM 0008 to list all dependants.
2. You have more dependants than the form allows to be added in the IMM 0008 dependants section.
Important: Complete a separate IMM 0008DEP for each additional dependant who cannot be included on IMM 0008.
Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669) is used to collect detailed background information for immigration screening, including personal history, addresses, and declarations for the applicant and certain family members.
Common examples:
1. The principal applicant completes it as part of a permanent residence application (including refugee streams).
2. The spouse/common-law partner and dependent children aged 18+ also complete it (whether accompanying or not).
Important: Provide complete timelines with no unexplained gaps, and ensure dates/places match other forms (especially Schedule 2 and IMM 0008).
Schedule 2: Refugees Outside Canada (IMM 0008 SCH2)
Schedule 2: Refugees Outside Canada (IMM 0008 SCH2) is used in refugee permanent residence applications from outside Canada to explain the applicant’s refugee claim, background, and reasons they cannot return safely to their country of origin.
Common examples:
1. The principal applicant completes it as part of an overseas refugee PR application package.
2. The spouse/common-law partner and any dependent children aged 18+ also complete their own copies (whether accompanying or not).
Important: Answers must be truthful, detailed, and consistent with the personal history, addresses, and any supporting narrative or evidence provided.
Use of a Representative (IMM-5476)
Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) is used when an applicant wants to appoint a representative (paid or unpaid) to conduct business with IRCC on their behalf for an application or file.
Common examples:
1. Appointing an authorized paid representative (for example, a lawyer or regulated consultant).
2. Appointing an unpaid representative (for example, a trusted friend or family member) to communicate with IRCC and manage the file.
Important: If you are not using a representative, you generally do not need to submit IMM 5476; only submit it when someone will act on your behalf with IRCC.
Details of Military Service - IMM5546
Details of Military Service (IMM 5546) is used when an applicant has served in the military, armed forces, police, militia, or similar organizations and must provide detailed service history for immigration screening purposes.
Common examples:
1. The applicant completed mandatory national service and must list units, ranks, dates, locations, and duties.
2. The applicant served voluntarily or as a career member and must document roles and responsibilities in detail.
Important: Be specific and consistent with your personal history; include accurate dates, positions, and duties, and avoid gaps or vague descriptions.
Sponsorship Undertaking & Settlement Plan - (IMM-5373)
Sponsorship Undertaking & Settlement Plan – Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAH) (IMM 5373) is used to confirm the sponsor’s formal undertaking and to outline the settlement supports that will be provided to the refugee(s) after arrival.
Common examples:
1. A SAH submits IMM 5373 as part of a PSR sponsorship application package (depending on the assigned risk management plan).
2. The settlement plan section is used to describe housing, income support, orientation, and community connections.
Important: This is a core sponsorship commitment document—details should match your other sponsorship forms and your actual settlement arrangements.
Sponsor Assessment - (IMM54-92)
Sponsor Assessment (IMM 5492) is used in refugee sponsorship applications to assess whether the sponsor(s) have the capacity and resources to support the refugee(s) during the sponsorship period.
Common examples:
1. A SAH/Constituent Group/co-sponsor (or Group of Five/community sponsor) completes it as part of the sponsorship package requirements.
2. IRCC requests it to confirm the sponsor’s readiness, financial capacity, and settlement supports.
Important: This form supports IRCC’s assessment of sponsor eligibility and preparedness, so answers should be complete, consistent, and well-documented.
Consent to disclose personal information (IMM 0707)
Consent to disclose personal information (IMM 0707) is used when a person wants to authorize IRCC to disclose their personal information to another person or organization they name.
Common examples:
1. Allowing a sponsor, family member, or trusted helper to receive information from IRCC about a file.
2. Allowing IRCC to communicate specific details to a third party when the client cannot easily communicate directly.
Important: This form authorizes disclosure of information only; it does not authorize the other person to act as your immigration representative or make changes to your application.
Request for Processing Family Members under the One-Year Window of Opportunity Provisions (IMM 5571)
Request for Processing Family Members under the One-Year Window of Opportunity Provisions (IMM 5571) is used by a recently resettled refugee in Canada to request processing of eligible family members abroad under the One-Year Window (OYW) provision.
Common examples:
1. A spouse or dependent child was listed on the original overseas application but could not travel at the same time.
2. The newcomer wants to reunite with eligible family members within the OYW timeframe after arriving in Canada.
Important: OYW is tied to specific eligibility rules and timelines, so this request should be prepared and submitted carefully and promptly.
ATIP Request (IMM 5563)
ATIP Request (IMM 5563) is used to request access to IRCC records (for example, GCMS notes or copies of documents) under the Access to Information Act and/or the Privacy Act.
Common examples:
1. Requesting GCMS notes to understand an application’s processing history or concerns.
2. Requesting a copy of information or documents held on an IRCC file.
Important: Most requests are submitted through the Government of Canada’s ATIP Online Request service, and processing times can vary depending on the request type and volume.
Appointment of Representative(s) in Expected Community of Settlement Form (IMM 5956)
Appointment of Representative(s) in Expected Community of Settlement (IMM 5956) is used when a sponsor does not meet the residency requirements and needs to appoint one or more representatives in the community where the refugee(s) are expected to settle.
Common examples:
1. A Group of Five member lives outside the expected community and appoints a local representative.
2. A Community Sponsor appoints someone on the ground to help meet local responsibilities.
Important: This form is about meeting sponsorship community/residency requirements; it is not the same as appointing an immigration representative to deal with IRCC.
Application for the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) Coverage (IMM 5564)
IFHP (the Interim Federal Health Program) provides temporary health coverage to eligible refugees and certain other eligible newcomers while they wait to qualify for provincial or territorial health insurance.
Many newcomers can see a doctor using provincial coverage once they receive it, but prescription costs can still be a problem—especially early on, when they don’t yet have employer benefits or private insurance.
In most cases, IFHP includes supplemental and prescription drug coverage for up to 12 months from the date of arrival, depending on eligibility and coverage type. This can help eligible newcomers access covered medications at low or no cost through participating pharmacies.
Request to Add a Family Member to a Privately Sponsored Refugee Application (IMM 5618)
You use IMM 5618 (Request to Add a Family Member to a Privately Sponsored Refugee Application) when, after a PSR application has already been submitted, the principal applicant’s family composition changes and IRCC/ROC-O requires the sponsor’s written agreement to add the new family member to the sponsorship undertaking (and the permanent residence processing).
Typical triggers:
1. The principal applicant gets married (adding a spouse).
2. The principal applicant has a newborn child.
3. The principal applicant legally adopts a child.
Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475)
IMM 5475 (Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual) is used when an applicant wants IRCC to share personal information about their application (for example, application status or updates) with a person they choose who is not acting as an immigration representative.
Common examples:
1. Allowing a spouse, relative, friend, or sponsor contact person to request updates from IRCC on the applicant’s behalf.
2. Authorizing someone the applicant trusts to receive information if the applicant has limited access to email, phone, or the online portal.
Important: IMM 5475 only allows IRCC to release information. It does not allow the designated person to submit documents, make changes, or act as a representative. For that, IRCC uses IMM 5476 (Use of a Representative).
Request to Reissue a Permanent Resident Card (IMM 5531
Request to Reissue a Permanent Resident Card (IMM 5531) is used when you received a PR card that contains incorrect information and the error was made by IRCC. This allows IRCC to correct the mistake and issue a corrected PR card.
Common examples:
1. Your name, date of birth, sex, or another printed detail is incorrect on the PR card due to an IRCC error.
2. You need a corrected card to match the information already shown on your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) or Record of Landing.
Important: Apply as soon as possible after you receive the incorrect card, and include supporting documents showing the correct information.
Solemn Declaration Concerning a Permanent Resident Card That Was Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Never Received (IMM 5451)
Solemn Declaration Concerning a Permanent Resident Card That Was Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Never Received (IMM 5451) is used to formally declare that your PR card was lost, stolen, destroyed, or never received, so IRCC can document the situation on your file.
Common examples:
1. You did not receive your PR card and you have waited well beyond the normal processing timeframe.
2. Your PR card was lost, stolen, or destroyed and you need to report it to IRCC (even if you are not reapplying immediately).
Important: Provide clear details of what happened and any steps you took (for example, attempts to locate the card or contact IRCC).
Consent for an Access to Information and Personal Information Request (IMM 5744)
Consent for an Access to Information and Personal Information Request (IMM 5744) is used when someone (for example, a family member, sponsor contact, or helper) is requesting your IRCC records through an ATIP request and needs your written consent for IRCC to release your personal information to them.
Common examples:
1. You want someone in Canada to request your GCMS/ATIP notes on your behalf.
2. A requester is submitting an ATIP request and needs consent for each adult (18+) whose information is included in the file.
Important: This form is about authorizing the release of information for an ATIP request; it does not make the requester your immigration representative.