Joint Assistance Program: How to apply

Before you apply, you should read the application package to ensure that you qualify for the Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) program. You should also read the Guide to the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program for information you will need when applying.

To be eligible to sponsor refugees under the JAS program, your organization must be:

  • a sponsorship agreement holder (SAH) (an organization that has signed a sponsorship agreement with the federal government); or
  • a constituent group of an JAS that is authorized to sponsor under the agreement.

By applying to sponsor a refugee under a joint assistance sponsorship, you are applying to support a refugee who has special needs. The community the refugee will resettle in must be able to provide the services needed to address the refugee’s special needs. These special needs may be related to:

  • trauma caused by violence or torture,
  • medical disabilities,
  • the effects of systemic discrimination, or
  • having a large number of family members.

Under a joint assistance sponsorship, the government provides financial assistance for the duration of the sponsorship - usually up to 24 months. The private sponsor must agree to provide orientation, significant settlement assistance and emotional support for the full sponsorship period.

Quebec has its own process for sponsoring refugees. Sponsors who live in the province of Quebec should contact the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration.

There are three steps to applying for a JAS:

Get the application package

The kit includes the application guide and all of the forms you need to fill out. Download and print the application package.

  • Before you start, read the guide carefully. It contains detailed instructions for completing all the required forms.
  • Gather all of the necessary documents. They are listed in the document checklist.
  • Photocopy the blank forms and use one as a working copy. Keep the working copy for your records.
  • Fill in the forms carefully and completely. Many of the forms can be completed on your computer and saved. Print the forms after you fill them out. If you are filling out the forms by hand, print clearly—in black ink. Sign and date your forms.
  • Complete all of the forms:
    • Request for a Joint Assistance Sponsorship Refugee Profile (IMM 5504). This form is used only if your group does not find a match through the secure website.
    • Undertaking/Application for a Joint Assistance Sponsorship (IMM 1324). Complete this form after your group has received and reviewed the profile of a refugee(s) and is committed to sponsoring that refugee(s).
    • Sponsor Assessment (IMM 5492). All sponsors who sign the above undertaking must complete a copy of this form.
    • Settlement Plan-Joint Assistance Sponsorship (IMM 5494). This document is a planning tool for sponsoring groups to indicate how they intend to deliver the settlement assistance needed to help the refugee(s) become established successfully in Canada. Where possible, arrangements should be in place before the refugee arrives.
    • Document Checklist (IMM 5495).

    Optional:

    • Use of a Representative (IMM 5476). You must complete this form if you want to use a representative or an agent to help you apply. Using a representative is a personal choice. Find out more about using representatives.

Review refugee profiles and identify the refugee or refugee family you would like to sponsor

Under the JAS program, your group can use one of two options to choose the refugee(s) to sponsor. You can:

  • contact your SAH for online access to profiles
  • request profiles from the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (info@rstp.ca)

Additional details on each option are available in the guide that is included in the application kit. For more information, see requesting a refugee profile.

Submit your application

Use the document checklist to ensure that you have included everything you need. Make sure that you sign and date your forms. Your application will not be processed and will be returned to the person or group that submitted it if it is incomplete. Enclose all of the required documents in an envelope and mail them to:

Resettlement Operations Centre in Ottawa (ROC-O) New
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1

We've changed our address

Starting April 1, 2017, all Privately Sponsored Refugee (PSR) applications should be mailed to the address listed above.

Make sure you provide your complete return mailing address.

Remember, it is your responsibility to keep your application up-to-date.

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