2021 Private Sponsorship Applications Now Open

November 23, 2021

UPDATE 11/23: We are adding an information session that will be held in person at ISANS Mumford. Please note that in consideration of classroom capacity, we are only able to accommodate 43 attendees. You must register via this link until December 7th to attend.

The upcoming sessions are scheduled as follows:

Monday, December 6, 2021 – 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM (virtual via Zoom only)
Monday, December 13, 2021 – 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM – In-person, ISANS Mumford, Classroom 18

UPDATE 10/27: We have reopened the interest form as of October 27, 2021. Please visit this link to start your application. If you have previously answered this form prior to October 26, you must restart your application. We are extending the deadline to January 15, 2022.

We will be holding two information sessions to answer your questions about the process. The sessions are open to the public and are scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, November 17, 2021 – 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM (virtual via Zoom)
Monday, December 6, 2021 – 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (virtual via Zoom)

Please register through this link to attend.

UPDATE 10/25: We are currently fixing some errors on the Private Sponsorship of Refugee Interest Form. The form is temporarily closed at the moment. We will reopen the form as soon as possible.

Today, October 20th, 2021, ISANS will open our online Private Refugee Sponsorship selection process for our 2021 allocation from Immigration, Citizenship & Refugees Canada (IRCC).

In order to qualify for private refugee sponsorship with ISANS you have to meet admissibility, residency and viability of sponsorship selection criteria and requirements as stated below and in the Private Sponsorship of Refugee with ISANS as a Sponsorship Agreement Holder information package. Please visit this link for the information package.

1. Admissibility
The Refugee(s) being sponsored:

  • Meets the refugee definition (for example, they are outside their country of origin) and there is a strong reason preventing him/her from returning to the original country
  • Has a relationship with the sponsor (family or friend)

2. Residency requirement of co-sponsor
The Co-sponsor must:

  • Be a resident of Nova Scotia
  • Have lived in Nova Scotia for 2 years or more
  • Has settled well in the community

ISANS will only accept one interest form (survey) per household and the household cannot have other active sponsorships. For ISANS, active sponsorship means having one or more sponsorship files being processed by IRCC overseas and/or providing financial and settlement support to refugees who have arrived within this year.   We have these criteria to ensure that as many people as possible are able to engage in private sponsorship.

We have these criteria to ensure that as many people as possible are able to engage in private sponsorship.

3. Viability of sponsorship

Co-sponsors and Constituent group members are over 18 years of age and:

  • Have the support of a Constituent Group (community association) and a minimum of 5 volunteers to assist with the settlement of refugees
  • Do not have a criminal record.
  • Have the financial capacity to sponsor the number of refugees requested (per ISANS rate schedule) for up to 4 people
  • Have a completed settlement plan and budget
  • Attend sponsorship and settlement orientation sessions

Interest forms with incorrect or misleading information about the refugee, or the family they wish to sponsor may not be accepted.

We have these criteria to ensure that applications meet IRCC ‘s private refugee sponsorship criteria and guidelines, and that as many people as possible are able to engage in private sponsorship.

Due to the large volume of interest in refugee sponsorship, this form, unfortunately, does not guarantee sponsorship with ISANS.

Please note: ISANS Private Refugee Sponsorship staff are not involved in decisions involving selection.

You can visit this link to read the Private Sponsorship of Refugee with ISANS as a Sponsorship Agreement Holder information package.

Please visit this link to fill out the application form. Please be advised the form will take approximately 1 hour to complete if you have all information ready.

If you wish to sponsor a refugee, we encourage you to also consider alternative options such as:

Group of 5 Sponsorship
Community Sponsorship or other non-refugee immigration avenues

Thank you for your interest in sponsoring refugees and building a welcoming community where all can belong and grow.

Posted in News