Introduction

Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program is one of the most well-known humanitarian pathways in the world. For over four decades, it has allowed Canadians, permanent residents, faith groups, community organizations, and volunteer networks to play a direct role in helping refugees rebuild their lives safely.

However, due to extremely high demand, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a temporary pause on two major sponsorship streams—the Group of Five (G5) and Community Sponsor (CS) categories—on November 29, 2024. This pause was introduced to manage the overwhelming application volume and reduce the extensive backlog.

Now, IRCC has announced that this pause will continue until December 31, 2026.

In this blog, Skylam Immigration Services breaks down the full update, its impact, what sponsors can expect, and what this means for refugee applicants planning for the coming months.

1. Overview of the Announcement

On November 21, 2025, IRCC confirmed the extension of the temporary pause on:

• Group of Five (G5) refugee sponsorship applications
• Community Sponsor (CS) refugee sponsorship applications

The pause is now extended until:

📅 December 31, 2026

This applies only to new applications. Any G5 or CS applications that were submitted before the pause are still being processed.

IRCC emphasized that Canada will continue welcoming refugees through the PSR Program during this period, based on the admissions targets in the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.

2. Why Did IRCC Extend the Pause?

The main reason behind the extension is the large application backlog.

Key factors include:

🔹 1. Excessive Demand

The PSR Program is one of the most popular humanitarian pathways. Thousands of private groups across Canada apply each year to sponsor refugees.
This level of demand has surpassed IRCC’s processing capacity.

🔹 2. Lengthy Processing Times

The existing backlog created long wait periods for applicants already in line.
By pausing intake, IRCC aims to:

• Increase processing speed
• Improve client experience
• Reduce wait times for people already in the queue

🔹 3. Ensuring Program Efficiency

IRCC wants to stabilize the program before reopening intake.
They must ensure:

• Sufficient staffing
• Faster processing
• Proper resources
• Improved program infrastructure

IRCC stated they will continue working with sponsors, partners, and NGOs to strengthen the PSR Program before intake resumes.

3. Who Is Affected by the Pause?

Affected Groups:

• Canadians or permanent residents looking to sponsor a refugee through a Group of Five
• Community organizations planning to apply as Community Sponsors
• Refugees abroad waiting for sponsorship through these two streams

Not Affected:

• Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs)
  (These are large, authorized organizations with existing agreements with IRCC.)
• Applications already submitted before the pause
  These remain in processing.
• Refugees coming through government-assisted programs.

This means Canada is not stopping refugee resettlement—only controlling intake to manage the system more efficiently.

4. Will Refugees Still Be Resettled During the Pause?

Yes.
Canada remains committed to refugee protection.

IRCC confirmed:

• Refugee arrivals will continue as planned.
• Admissions will follow the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan targets.
• Processed applications (submitted earlier) will continue to move forward.

The pause affects intake, not the overall number of refugees Canada plans to welcome.

5. Understanding the Group of Five (G5) and Community Sponsor (CS) Streams

To understand the impact, it’s helpful to know how these two sponsorship categories work.

Group of Five (G5)

A G5 is a sponsorship group made of:

• Five or more Canadians or permanent residents
• Aged 18+
• Living in the same community

They work together to financially and emotionally support a refugee for one year.

Responsibilities include:

• Housing
• Transportation
• Grocery support
• Settlement guidance
• Medical appointment assistance
• Language training support

This stream is popular among families and community groups sponsoring relatives abroad.

Community Sponsor (CS)

Community Sponsors are:

• Charities
• Religious institutions
• Educational organizations
• Non-profits
• Community associations

They must show financial capacity and settlement preparation plans.

This stream is often used to sponsor extended family or vulnerable refugees.

6. What Happens to Applications Already Submitted?

If a G5 or CS application was submitted before the pause, IRCC will continue processing it normally.

No need to reapply.

No loss of priority.

IRCC has stated that the pause is specifically designed to finish processing submitted files more quickly.

Sponsors should still expect:

• Background checks
• Security screening
• Medical exams
• Interview assessments

Processing may still take time, but the pause is intended to shorten overall delays.

7. What Should Sponsors Do During the Pause?

Here’s what Canadian sponsors and organizations can do while waiting for intake to reopen.

🔵 1. Strengthen Sponsorship Plans

IRCC expects future applications to have:

• Strong settlement plans
• Efficient financial preparation
• Clear documentation

Sponsors can spend this period improving their readiness.

🟣 2. Gather Documentation Early

Sponsors and applicants can prepare:

• Identity documents
• Proof of refugee status abroad
• Medical or vulnerability documentation
• Sponsor financial statements

This makes the future application process faster.

🔵 3. Consider Other Sponsorship Pathways

Although G5 and CS streams are paused, there are other options:

✔ Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAH)

Some applicants may qualify under SAH organizations still actively accepting cases.

✔ Economic & Family Sponsorship Programs

If a refugee also qualifies under a family or economic stream, that may offer another route.

🟣 4. Stay Informed About IRCC Changes

Policies can evolve during the pause.
Sponsors should follow:

• IRCC updates
• Community sponsorship networks
• NGO announcements
• Skylam Immigration News posts

This ensures no opportunity is missed when intake reopens.

8. How the Pause Aligns With Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan (2026–2028)

Canada’s multi-year immigration plan includes dedicated refugee admission targets.

Canada remains committed to:

• International protection
• Humanitarian leadership
• Long-term settlement support

The pause allows IRCC to stabilize the system while still meeting its humanitarian goals.

Expected benefits include:

• Faster processing
• More structured intake
• Better coordination with NGOs
• Improved settlement outcomes for refugees

9. Reactions from Sponsors and Community Groups

Community organizations have expressed mixed reactions.

Positive responses:

• Recognition that processing times must improve
• Support for a more organized system
• Understanding of IRCC capacity limits

Concerns:

• Families abroad may face longer waits
• Community groups eager to sponsor cannot submit applications
• Some fear the pause delays family reunification

IRCC has reassured the public that:

• The pause is temporary
• Processing improvements are underway
• Communication with partners will continue

10. What Skylam Immigration Recommends

At Skylam Immigration Services, we understand how important refugee sponsorship is for families, communities, and humanitarian groups.

Our advice during this pause:

✔ 1. Stay prepared

Use this period to gather documents, financial proofs, and prepare settlement plans.

✔ 2. Monitor IRCC updates closely

Policy changes often evolve. We provide continuous updates to keep sponsors informed.

✔ 3. Explore alternative immigration pathways

Some applicants may qualify under:

• Family Class
• Humanitarian & Compassionate Applications
• Economic programs
• SAH sponsorship pathways

We can help evaluate eligibility.

✔ 4. Consult an expert before future intake reopens

When IRCC restarts G5 and CS applications, competition may be high.
Early preparation is key.

11. Conclusion

The extension of the temporary pause on the Group of Five and Community Sponsor refugee sponsorship streams—until December 31, 2026—reflects IRCC’s efforts to manage overwhelming demand and reduce processing delays.

While this pause may be disappointing for many sponsors, it is intended to create a stronger, more efficient system moving forward.

Canada will continue welcoming refugees through the PSR Program, and applications already submitted remain under active processing.

Skylam Immigration Services will continue providing updates, guidance, and strategic support to ensure sponsors and applicants are fully prepared for the future.

Need Help Understanding Refugee Sponsorship Pathways?

At Skylam Immigration Services, we help individuals, families, and organizations navigate complex immigration programs with clarity and confidence.

Contact us anytime for personalized support.