Private Sponsorship of Refugees

A community-led approach to helping refugees rebuild their lives in Canada.

JIAS is a national Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) authorized by the Government of Canada to privately sponsor refugees. As the only Jewish Sponsorship Agreement Holder in Canada, we work with with community groups across the country to bring vulnerable refugees to safety and support their successful settlement in Canada.

Since becoming a Sponsorship Agreement Holder in 2014, we have proudly helped sponsor more than 1,000 refugees, helping individuals and families find safety, stability, and a new beginning in welcoming communities across Canada.

Our Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program empowers individuals, families, and community groups to sponsor refugees during their first year in Canada. Sponsor groups provide financial, practical, social, and emotional support to refugee families as they settle into their communities and begin rebuilding their lives in Canada.

Working alongside community sponsors and a network of national and international partners,we help facilitate refugee sponsorship and support successful resettlement from arrival through the first year of settlement. Together, we help individuals and families fleeing conflict and displacement while building a strong foundation for their future in Canada.

Attendees viewing story display panels at a JIAS event

A Growing Global Refugee Crisis

Two people posing together holding a sign reading "I stand with refugees"

More than 123 million people worldwide have been forced to leave their homes due to natural disasters, conflict, and persecution. Among them are over 40 million refugees and asylum seekers living in temporary, transitory circumstances outside of their country of origin with no possibility of returning safely to their homes.

Yet fewer than 1% of displaced people are resettled each year, making refugee resettlement pathways like Canada's Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program more important than ever.

 

 

The Impact of our Private Sponsorship Program

1000
Refugees sponsored since 2014

75
Constituent Groups formed

15
National and International partners

10
Years’ experience sponsoring vulnerable refugees

24
Clients from different nationalities

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Whether you're interested in helping sponsor a refugee or are looking for information about refugee sponsorship, we are here to help.

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"I came to Canada not knowing what to expect. The JIAS settlement worker and the PSR team basically gave me a roadmap to success. I followed their advice and enrolled in the PSW program while I was still in my sponsorship period. Now that my sponsorship period is coming to an end, I am also graduating from my program and am ready to start working and earning an income. My JIAS CG group members are all ladies, which is exactly what I preferred. The women in the group have become my friends, and we stay in touch and support one another regularly. Today, I feel stable. I have an education, a place to live, and friends I can rely on. God is good!"

Client Z (Born in Uganda, later sought refuge in Hong Kong)

"I came to Canada with so much hope. Before arriving, I lived in Hong Kong, where I wasn't allowed to work because of my immigration status. Not being able to work affected my mental health because I wanted to be productive and independent. After arriving in Canada, I found a job opportunity in Vancouver. Although moving to another province was a big step, JIAS supported me through the relocation, connected me with a new Constituent Group (CG), and helped me access local settlement services. The PSR team also continued checking in on me after I moved. Today, I work at a five-star hotel, have a part-time construction job, and recently received a job offer at the airport. I finally have the opportunity to work, and I feel productive, independent, and much happier."

Client I (Born in Somalia, later sought refuge in Hong Kong)

“My grandparents came to Canada from Eastern Europe and I volunteer with JIAS as a fulfilling way of paying it forward by welcoming the stranger. Assisting refugees and other newcomers is so rewarding; some of the people I have assisted have become friends, and it is very gratifying to see them seize opportunities and succeed.”

Barbara Grossman, JIAS Volunteer

"It is by luck of my birth that I live in Canada. The need for refugee resettlement is great all over the world and I really believe the quote from Pirkei Avot: It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it.”

Judy Cass, Darchei Noam

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program?
The PSR Program allows individuals and groups in Canada to sponsor refugees by providing financial and settlement support during their first year in Canada.
Who can Sponsor a Refugee?
Sponsors must demonstrate that the necessary financial and settlement support will be in place to support the refugee(s) during their first year in Canada.
Who can become a Constituent Group?
Eligible groups include: - Synagogues or other religious organizations - Community organizations - Social groups - Families or groups
How long does the sponsorship process take?
The full process typically takes 2–3 years, including application preparation, IRCC processing, and the one-year settlement support period after arrival. NOTE: please be advised that ongoing changes to immigration regulations/programs impact the number of refugees JIAS can sponsor each year as well as the Sponsorship Applications’ processing times
What support do refugee families receive?
Sponsored families receive assistance with:
  • Housing
  • Financial support
  • Healthcare access
  • Language training
  • Education and employment services
  • Community integration
How can I donate?
Donors can support the program through donating to our Private Sponsorship of Refugees fund. 
Am I eligible to receive a donation receipt?
CRA regulations require charities to maintain control over how donations are allocated. Donations designated for a specific family are therefore not eligible for tax receipts.
What’s the difference between supporting the PSR Program and supporting a specific family?
Support the PSR Program - Funds are directed to where they are needed most. - JIAS determines how the funds are allocated to support refugee sponsorship activities. - Eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Support a Specific Family - Funds are reserved exclusively for the designated refugee family. - Money is held in trust and released as needed to support that family's settlement. - Not eligible for a charitable tax receipt. - The money is returned to the trust contributor if the family does not come to Canada for any reason; the donor also has the option to donate to the PSR Program at this stage
How many people can I sponsor?
There is no fixed number. Sponsorships may involve an individual, a family, or larger family units, depending on the circumstances of the refugee case and the sponsoring group's financial and settlement capacity.
How many people are needed to form a Constituent Group?
3-5 individuals from the applicant's chosen community of settlement. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis, where individual circumstances ,family size and composition plays a role in said assessment.
How are Refugees selected for Sponsorship?
Refugees and asylum seekers are selected based on the merits of their case. Prospective applicants must first submit an intake form, documenting their reasons for fleeing their country of origin and seeking asylum and resettlement, following which our PSR team will conduct a thorough assessment of the basis of their claim and advise on the next steps.
How can I get more information about the PSR Program?
Visit these resources: the RSTP website to learn more about sponsorship requirements and eligibility to be a sponsor, as well as the settlement requirements as prescribed by IRCC.