Canada has announced a pause on private refugee sponsorships by groups of five or more people and community organizations. The decision, effective immediately, aims to tackle a growing backlog of applications and ensure efficient processing. This update was published today on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
The suspension will remain in place until December 31, 2025. This move allows the government to focus on clearing existing applications while preparing for a more streamlined sponsorship system. The pause does not affect other refugee resettlement programs managed by the government.