ANNOUNCEMENT:

2024 REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP LOTTERY

The process to apply for Welcome Place/MIIC Refugee Sponsorship Program typically involves several steps:

1. Expressing Interest:

• The first step involves expressing your interest in sponsoring your family, friends, or other refugees by submitting an “Interest to Sponsor” form.
• The form is now LIVE until May 21, 2024, at 4pm CST. (APPLY NOW)

2. Random Selection:

• After the expression of interest period closes, a random selection process takes place to choose potential sponsors from the pool of submissions.
• Those selected are then invited to submit a complete application.

3. Eligibility Screening and Settlement Funds:  

• There should be a minimum of two Co-sponsor individuals for each application.
• Each Co-sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and at least 18 years old.
• Co-sponsors must be living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. We are not accepting applications from outside of Winnipeg. Co-sponsors are required to live in the same community of settlement of refugees.
• Sponsors are required to provide financial and settlement support to all sponsored members for a period of 12 months starting from their arrival in Canada. Welcome Place/MIIC requires that co-sponsors deposit the full amount of sponsorship cost to our refugee trust fund account at the time of application submission.
• We do not accept in-kind deductions, partial deposits, or installment-based deposits. We kindly request co-sponsors to evaluate their financial capacity before completing the interest to sponsor form.
• Co-sponsors must not be on income support and must demonstrate the ability to financially support the refugee applicant(s).
• Co-sponsors must meet all eligibility requirements of the program:
• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• be at least 18 years of age.
• live in the same community where the refugee is expected to settle, and
• have financial and settlement capacity to support refugees for the length of the sponsorship (usually one year).
• Co-sponsors must participate in mandatory training following their selection in the Lottery.
• An advisor from Welcome Place/MIIC will contact selected sponsors to conduct the eligibility screening.
• Due to limited available sponsorship spots/spaces, there is a cap placed on the number of people who may be sponsored and the number of Interest to Sponsor Forms that can be submitted by co-sponsors, and is as follow:

1. Only one Interest to Sponsor Form per refugee family will be allowed. If more than one or multiple Interest to Sponsor Form(s) is/are submitted for the same family, the entries exceeding the allowed attempts will not be considered.
2. Together, the two co-sponsors are allowed to submit not more than two Interest to Sponsor Forms. 
3. Priority will be given to new co-sponsor applicants who meet the program eligibility requirements. Interest to Sponsor Form from one or both of co-sponsor applicants who have participated in the lottery in the past years and have successfully submitted a sponsorship application through our office will not be prioritized.

• Refugee applicants must be outside Canada and meet the definition of one of the refugee classes of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act: 
• Convention Refugee Abroad Class, and
• Country of Asylum Class. 

4. Sponsor Training:

• After screening, successful applicants will be required to undergo mandatory training. Training dates, time and venue will be shared with you in an email.

5. Invitation to Apply:

• After completing the mandatory training, you will be invited to submit your application. This invitation will include instructions on how to submit a complete sponsorship application.

6. Administrative Fee:

• Sponsors are required to pay a one-time non-refundable administrative fee for each application.

7. Application Review and Submission:

• Welcome Place/MIIC will review applications submitted by sponsors to ensure they meet all requirements of the program.
• If the application is approved, Welcome Place will submit it to IRCC on your behalf.
• We will return your sponsorship package/application to you if:
• It is incomplete.
• You weren't invited to apply.
• We didn't receive it before the deadline mentioned on your invitation.
• Administrative fees and/or settlement funds are missing.

If you need further information or have any questions, you may contact us by

calling 204-977-1000 Ext 280 or 248, or by sending an email to general.psr@miic.ca.