Like Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) and Community Sponsors, Groups of Five can engage in refugee resettlement to Canada - however the criteria for group eligibility and refugee applicant eligibility is different. Under the Group of Five, at least five Canadian citizens or permanent residents get together to sponsor a refugee and his/her dependents to Canada. More people can join the group to provide settlement support, however only five group members sign the required application forms.

Members of the group must be 18 years of age or older and reside in the community where the refugee is expected to settle. They must also prove that they have the necessary financial and human resources, expertise and commitment required to fulfill the terms of the sponsorship.

A Group of Five can choose to partner formally with an individual (e.g. a family member of the refugee who lives in Canada) and/or an organization in carrying out the settlement duties. This partner would be called a co-sponsor and would also need to sign all the required forms.