Who decides which refugees are resettled to Canada?

The resettlement system relies on referrals and sponsorship rather than open application. UNHCR and other organisations Canada works with identify and refer refugees in need of resettlement, and private sponsors in Canada can bring forward specific individuals or families.

Regardless of how a case is referred, the final selection decision rests with Canadian visa officers, who assess applicants abroad against Canada's eligibility and admissibility rules before approval. Understanding this referral-plus-assessment structure helps set realistic expectations about the process.