There are two ways of connecting with refugees: Sponsor Referred Refugees and Government Referred Refugees.

Sponsor Referred Refugees
Canadians can choose a refugee(s) to sponsor. This is usually done with a Canadian family who wishes to bring relatives or friends to Canada. Both the private group and the refugee must go through a relatively lengthy application process. Details of this are included in this guide.

Government Referred Refugees
Government Assisted Refugees (GAR) are entirely supported by the government, and are resettle via settlement agencies, such as the Catholic Centre of Immigrants. These settlement agencies may be looking for support from the volunteer sector to help GARs with resettlement as there are thousands expected to come to Canada in the coming months. This can be a way for volunteers to support refugees without the financial commitment.

Blended Visa Office Referred Refugees (BVORs) have been selected by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and are pre-approved by the Canadian Government. The government posts lists of these refugees, with basic information (family size, ages, any medical issues) and private sponsorship groups then take them on. These newcomers arrive in approximately one to three months. If your group is partnered with an SAH, your BVOR will receive six months of welfare-level income support. Your group is expected to provide the rest of the required funding. BVORS are in high demand and all cases on lists are usually taken within minutes of distribution.

[Q for R613 - how to private groups access the BVOR list? Where is it posted and how to you 'take on' a BVOR on the list?]

Note: Groups of Five and Community Sponsors can access VORs without funding (the B refers to the funding). [how?]

Assembling the application forms
To officially initiate the sponsorship application process, sponsoring groups
need to complete and submit the forms contained in the Application for Refugee Sponsorship kit. All links and details about the application forms is included in Sponsorship Application Forms section of this guide.