Canada Extends Temporary Pause on PSR Applications for Groups of Five and Community Sponsors

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that the temporary pause on new applications under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program for Groups of Five and Community Sponsors will be extended until December 31, 2026.

Background

The PSR Program allows Canadians, permanent residents, and community organizations to help refugees resettle in Canada by providing support, safety, and long-term stability. High demand for this program has resulted in a significant volume of applications and long wait times.

To address this backlog, IRCC introduced a temporary pause on November 29, 2024, stopping new applications from Groups of Five and Community Sponsors.

Extension to December 31, 2026

IRCC has now extended this pause through December 31, 2026.

During this period:

• No new applications will be accepted from Groups of Five or Community Sponsors.
• Applications already submitted will continue to be processed.
• Canada will continue welcoming refugees through the PSR Program in accordance with the targets set out in the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.

IRCC’s Message to Sponsors

IRCC acknowledges that the pause impacts sponsors and partners. The department states that it will continue to support the refugee sponsorship community and collaborate with partners on ongoing improvements to the PSR Program.

See the IRCC post here.