{"id":4059,"date":"2022-12-15T20:51:44","date_gmt":"2022-12-15T20:51:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/complementary-pathways-guidance\/?page_id=4059"},"modified":"2025-08-12T16:37:16","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T16:37:16","slug":"10-sponsorship-pathways","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/complementary-pathways-guidance\/10-sponsorship-pathways\/","title":{"rendered":"8. Sponsorship pathways"},"content":{"rendered":"

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8. Sponsorship pathways<\/h1>\n

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\u00a9 UNHCR\/Mikael Bjuremalm<\/p>\n

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Programmes in which private individuals, entities or organizations (nomination sponsors) directly engage in admission efforts by identifying, selecting and supporting the entry and stay of nominated individuals in need of international protection. Sponsorship can often include the provision of financial, emotional, social and\/or settlement support in a third country (an integration tool which UNHCR refers to as \u201ccommunity sponsorship\u201d).<\/p>\n

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Overview<\/h2>\n

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Sponsorship programmes present important opportunities to increase access to third-country solutions by leveraging public support for refugees.<\/strong> They engage a broad range of actors across communities and are an important tool for family reunification; while sponsors can choose whom to support, sponsored individuals often include nuclear and\/or extended family members of the sponsors (or people known to the community).<\/p>\n

UNHCR advocates for protection safeguards, transparent selection processes, effective monitoring systems and complementarity to resettlement quotas. On the departure country\u2019s side, UNHCR also negotiates with States to ensure smooth departure, including through issuance of travel documentation and exit permits.<\/p>\n

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What is the difference between sponsorship pathways and community sponsorship?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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Community sponsorship is a reception and integration tool that involves the pairing of resettled refugees or persons admitted under complementary pathways with individuals, groups of individuals or organisations (i.e. sponsors such as local clubs, businesses, university communities, faith groups, etc.). These entities commit to providing clearly defined financial and\/or in-kind contributions, emotional support and volunteer services to help refugees or other persons in need of international protection upon arrival.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Sponsorship pathways (sometimes referred to as private or named sponsorship) are a third-country solution that should lead to an overall net increase in the number of persons in need of international protection admitted to receiving countries. Scenarios where communities identify beneficiaries and\/or facilitate admission are sponsorship pathways. Such pathways, are likely to be accompanied by the expectation that sponsors will take on settlement support upon arrival.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
ACTIVITY<\/strong><\/td>\nCommunity Sponsorship<\/strong><\/td>\nSponsorship Pathways<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Identification of beneficiaries<\/em><\/td>\n\u274c<\/td>\n\u2705<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Referral to programme for State selection\u00a0<\/em><\/td>\n\u274c<\/td>\n\u2705<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Facilitation of admission\u00a0<\/em><\/td>\n\u274c<\/td>\n\u2705
(transport, travel logistics and other practical arrangements)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Reception and integration<\/em><\/td>\n\u2705<\/td>\n\u2705<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

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Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative (GRSI)<\/h2>\n

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The Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative (GRSI) is a joint initiative led by the Government of Canada, UNHCR, The Giustra Foundation, the Open Society Foundations, The Shapiro Foundation, the University of Ottawa Refugee Hub-Pathways International, Porticus and Robert Bosch Stiftung. GRSI works with civil society and States to promote the expansion of sponsorship programmes around the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Resources<\/h2>\n

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Resources for refugees<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Previous<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjQ0NjciLCJlbmFibGVfaHRtbCI6Im9mZiJ9fQ==@” button_text=”7. Qualifications-based pathways (education and employment)” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_icon=”4||divi||400″ button_icon_placement=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Next<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjQwNjciLCJlbmFibGVfaHRtbCI6Im9mZiJ9fQ==@” button_text=”9. Humanitarian pathways ” button_alignment=”right” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

8. Sponsorship pathways\u00a9 UNHCR\/Mikael BjuremalmProgrammes in which private individuals, entities or organizations (nomination sponsors) directly engage in admission efforts by identifying, selecting and supporting the entry and stay of nominated individuals in need of international protection. Sponsorship can often include the provision of financial, emotional, social and\/or settlement support in a third country (an integration […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":5963,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"\n

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Programmes in which private entities or organizations (nomination sponsors) directly engage in admission efforts by identifying, selecting, and supporting the entry and stay of nominated individuals in need of international protection. Sponsorship can often include the provision of financial, emotional, social and\/or settlement support in a third country (an integration tool which UNHCR refers to as community sponsorship).<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

UNHCR\u2019s roles in sponsorship pathways are to advocate for protection safeguards, transparent selection processes, effective monitoring systems, and complementarity to resettlement quotas. <\/em>UNHCR also maintains an educational role, supporting others to understand the differences between sponsorship pathways and community sponsorship of refugees identified through either resettlement or complementary pathways systems.  As a necessary bedrock for the growth of third-country solutions, UNHCR supports initiatives that promote welcoming and inclusive societies in receiving countries (Goal 3 of the Roadmap 2030<\/a>).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNHCR does not identify candidates for sponsorship pathways, nor does it generally provide administrative support to applicants. This kind of support is best provided by embassies or organisations with specific immigration and legal expertise. Sponsors are the ones identifying, selecting, and supporting the entry and stay of people in need of international protection. State authorities manage the visa process and work with sponsors to ensure the well-being of beneficiaries and that their post-arrival needs are met. Even though sponsors lead the process, it is the State that retains ultimate responsibility over the protection of refugees, including by ensuring beneficiaries\u2019 access to rights and services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sponsorship programmes present important opportunities to increase access to third country solutions by leveraging public support for refugees. They engage a broad range of actors across communities and are also an important tool for family reunification - while sponsors can freely choose whom to support, the individuals sponsored often include nuclear and\/or extended family members of the sponsors (or people known to the community).   
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What does UNHCR do to facilitate sponsorship pathways?<\/h6>\n\n\n\n