Sponsoring refugees: Joint Assistance Sponsorship

The Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) program enables organizations to work in partnership with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to resettle refugees with special needs.

These organizations are called sponsorship agreement holders and their constituent groups. A sponsorship agreement holder is an incorporated organization that has signed a sponsorship agreement with the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

Refugees with special needs often require more than one year of support to establish themselves successfully in Canada. These special needs may be related to:

  • trauma because of violence or torture
  • medical disabilities
  • effects of systemic discrimination and
  • gender persecution (women under the Women at Risk program).

Refugees under the JAS program receive income support from the Government of Canada. They are also matched with a private sponsorship group.

Under the JAS program, government assistance is offered for up to 24 months, depending on the circumstances. Private sponsorship is offered for up to 24 months. In exceptional cases, the private sponsorship component can be extended up to 36 months.

CIC provides financial assistance to cover the cost of food, shelter, clothing and essential household goods. Private sponsors provide help to refugees adjusting to life in Canada, significant settlement assistance and emotional support.

Learn about:

Sponsors in Quebec

Quebec has its own process for sponsoring refugees. Sponsors who live in the province of Quebec should contact the Quebec ministry that handles immigration (ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles).

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