Sponsor a Refugee Family Through BVOR

The Blended Visa Office-Referred Program is a Government of Canada refugee resettlement program in which the government and a private sponsor group share the cost and responsibility of welcoming a refugee family.

Refugees in the program are referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and are fully screened by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before a sponsor group is matched with them. They arrive in Canada as permanent residents.

Your parish group provides:

• 6 months of financial support for living costs such as rent, food, and utilities
• Start-up costs, such as furniture, household items, and clothing (much of this is often donated by parishioners)
• 12 months of friendship and settlement support: finding housing, enrolling children in school, connecting the family with language classes, doctors, and the local community

The Government of Canada provides:

• The other 6 months of financial support
• Health coverage on arrival through the Interim Federal Health Program, followed by provincial health care

• Half the cost. The government pays 6 of the 12 months of income support.
• Families are already screened. Security and medical checks are complete before a family’s profile is shared, so arrival is usually faster than other sponsorships.
• A clear commitment. Sponsorship lasts 12 months, with defined responsibilities.
• You choose the family. Your group reviews available profiles and chooses one that fits your parish’s size, language skills, and local connections.
• You’re never alone. Our office prepares the application, works with IRCC, and supports your team throughout the year.

1. Pastoral Plan. Consider including Refugee Sponsorship project in the Parish Pastoral Plan if not yet.
2. Form a team. Gather 4–8 volunteers from your parish. Each takes on a role such as finance, housing, arrival, health and schools, employment and language, or friendship.
3. Raise your share. Our office helps you set a fundraising target based on the family’s size.
4. Get trained. Volunteers can take free training through the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP).
5. Choose a family. Together, we review available BVOR profiles and place a hold on the one that fits your parish.
6. Submit the application. The application must be submitted within 7 days of choosing a profile, so our office helps you prepare everything in advance.
7. Welcome them home. Your team meets the family at the airport and walks with them through their first year in Canada.

How much does it cost?
It depends on the size of the family. Your parish covers 6 months of income support plus start-up costs, and many start-up items are donated in kind. Our office will give you a budget based on current federal cost guidelines.

Do we need experience?
No. Free training is available, and our office and a Settlement Agency in your area support your team from the first meeting to the end of the sponsorship year.

Our parish is small. Can we still take part?
Yes. Smaller parishes can partner with a neighbouring parish to share the cost and the work.

What happens if the family faces challenges?
Our office is available throughout the year to help your team handle problems as they come up.

Bring BVOR to your parish. Contact the Refugee Office to book a conversation or a visit with your parish council.

Refugee Office, Diocese of London