Refugees Seeking Sponsorship

JIAS works with Canadian sponsor groups, as well as national and international partner organizations, to privately sponsor refugees through Canada's Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program. 

Please note that refugees cannot apply directly to JIAS for sponsorship. Sponsorship applications must be initiated by an approved sponsor group working with JIAS. 

If you have been identified by a sponsor group partnering with JIAS, our team will guide you through the sponsorship process and assist with preparing the required documentation. Sponsorship applications submitted by JIAS are processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

To be considered for private sponsorship, individuals must meet eligibility requirements established by the Government of Canada. In general, applicants must: 

• Be outside their country of nationality  

• Be unable to safely return home because of persecution, war, conflict, or other serious risks 

• Meet the Government of Canada's eligibility criteria for refugee resettlement 

Meeting these criteria does not guarantee sponsorship or approval. All applications are subject to assessment by the appropriate Canadian authorities.

Private refugee sponsorship is a multi-step process involving application preparation, government processing, and settlement support.  

The average processing time from the date of submission to arrival is approximately 2–3 years, although circumstances vary on a case-by-case basis. 

If you have questions about the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program or have been referred to JIAS by a sponsor group, our team is here to help. 

Contact our team: refugee@jiastoronto.org