2.D Refugee-Sponsor Relationship
D.1 What happens if the sponsoring group wants to withdraw its application before the refugees arrive?
(iv) What steps should the State, the sponsoring group, and the refugees consider taking if a sponsorship withdrawal occurs prior to the refugees’ arrival?
How Canada Does It
If the sponsoring group’s issues cannot be resolved prior to the refugees’ arrival, it needs to submit a sponsorship withdrawal request (see 2.D.1(i)) to the Government of Canada. The sponsoring group and/or the refugees should try to identify a replacement group if the sponsorship is still viable. If a replacement group is not found, Canada processes the sponsorship withdrawal and the overseas visa office sends a refusal letter to the refugees. If a replacement group is identified, Canada reviews the new sponsoring group’s eligibility (see 2.B.3) and resumes processing the sponsorship application.
If sponsors cannot resolve their issues prior to the refugees’ arrival and the sponsoring group breaks down, the sponsoring group must send a sponsorship withdrawal request to the Government of Canada. The sponsoring group must explain or document the circumstances leading to the withdrawal request. The Government of Canada processes the withdrawal request, requests more information about the reasons for withdrawing if necessary, and inquires whether the sponsors have found a replacement group to whom they may transfer the sponsorship, if the sponsorship is still viable.
The overseas visa office is notified of the sponsorship withdrawal request and suspends processing of the refugees’ permanent residence application. If necessary, the visa office sends a letter to the refugees notifying them that they have ninety days to find a replacement sponsoring group. If the initial sponsors and/or refugees are unable to identify a replacement group, the visa office sends a refusal letter to the refugees. If the sponsors and/or refugees are able to find a replacement group, they must notify the Government of Canada, which will assess the replacement group’s eligibility (see 2.B.3, 2.D.1(iii)). If Canada determines the new sponsors are eligible to sponsor the refugees, overseas processing of the refugees’ application resumes (see 2.A.2(i)).