Understanding Required Documents

This is not a list of IRCC forms.
It is just here to help you get ready by collecting the supporting documents that are usually sent with a sponsorship application.

To submit a sponsorship application, you must attach all required documents for both the sponsor and the refugee. Let’s go through some examples of documents you will have to prepare.

A complete list of forms required for the sponsor and the refugees can be found here.

Sponsor Documents

Certain supporting documents must be attached to the sponsor's application for all SAHs.
These documents must be provided for all co-sponsors listed on the sponsorship application. Like:

• Proof of Canadian citizenship, Indian or Permanent Resident Status, if applicable, for the Constituent Group (CG) Signing Authority, the organizational co-sponsor’s Signing Authority and the individual co-sponsor(s).

However, it is important to note that different sponsorship forms and supporting documents are required depending on each SAH’s risk management plan. Sponsors should refer to the specific document checklist corresponding to their assigned risk management plan to ensure all necessary forms and supporting documents are included in their application.

The following may be required by certain SAHs depending on their risk management plan:

• Proof of funds (please refer to this link to find out more)

Refugee documents

The following documents must be provided for the Principal Applicant and each family member, whether accompanying or not:

• Photos
• Identification documents (if available):
• • Passport(s)
  • National ID card(s)
  • Birth certificate(s)
• Civil documents: 
• • Marriage certificates 
  • Divorce papers (if applicable)
  • Death certificates
  • Family booklet
  • Diplomas (if applicable)
  • Custody or adoption documents (if applicable)
• Membership cards and military documents

An affidavit is a document on which the translator has sworn, in the presence of a person authorized to administer oaths in the country where the translator is living, that the contents of their translation are a true translation and representation of the contents of the original document.

• In Canada, the affidavit must be sworn in the presence of either a notary public, a commissioner of oaths or a commissioner of taking affidavits.
• To translate a document outside Canada, consult the local authorities.
• Translators who are certified in Canada do not need to supply an affidavit.

All translated documents must include a signed affidavit from the certified translator. The translation and affidavit must be in the same PDF the original document is in. 

In addition to the lists above, you can submit additional documents to support your application and demonstrate that you meet the sponsorship requirements.

If available, also attach supporting documents such as:

• Proof of Persecution: Documents supporting claims, such as evidence of persecution or reports about conditions in the home country
• Refugee Documents: If the applicant is recognized as a refugee by the UNHCR, UNRWA, or their country of temporary asylum.
• Country Conditions: Documents such as those found in the Immigration and Refugee Board of (NDPs)

While Country Condition documents are not required, they can be attached to help provide:

• Evidence of country conditions that may support the applicant’s claim of persecution.
• Background information that explains why the applicant cannot return safely to their home country.

All documents that are not in French or English must be translated to French or English. The translation cannot be done by the applicants themselves or their family members.