FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about newcomers.

What is a newcomer?

A newcomer refers to someone who has been in Canada for a short time. Many different terms are used to describe newcomers like refugee and immigrant.

What is a refugee?

A person who is outside their country of origin and has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.

What is an immigrant?

A person who has made a choice to relocate from their country of origin to become a citizen of Canada is called an immigrant.  Individuals have several streams through which to apply, such as Skilled Worker Immigration and Trade Worker Immigration.

What is a permanent resident?

A person granted the right to live permanently in Canada is called a permanent resident. He or she may have come to Canada as an immigrant or a refugee.

What is a Government-Assisted Refugee?

Sometimes referred to as GARs, Government-Assisted Refugees have had their refugee claims accepted and have been granted permanent resident status in Canada. GARs receive resettlement assistance from the federal government.

What is a privately sponsored refugee?

Private Sponsorship is the resettlement of refugee(s) to Canada, in which the financial costs of sponsorship and settlement support is provided by private groups or organizations.  Financial support is usually provided for a year and includes housing, clothing, and food.

What is an asylum seeker or refugee claimant?

When someone arrives in Canada seeking protection as a refugee, the Canadian government must review each case.  During that time, he or she is called a Refugee Claimant or Asylum Seeker.  When the Canadian government has decided if this person meets the established criteria, this person now achieves status of Refugee and becomes a Permanent Resident of Canada.