Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS program)

(REF-OVS-2-4)

The Government of Canada may partner with private sponsors to support a refugee with exceptional needs for an extended period once resettled in Canada. This may be found and assessed before or after arrival in Canada.

• Exceptional needs found before departure for Canada
• Exceptional needs found after arrival to Canada

Exceptional needs found before departure for Canada

If a person is found to have exceptional needs requiring further support, while still residing abroad, the following processing stages are followed:

1. Assessment of potential for JAS program (refugee)

Assessing potential for JAS program
After eligibility for the GAR program has been confirmed, an assessment is done to evaluate if the applicant(s) may be a potential candidate for the JAS program. The potential case is referred to the Resettlement Operations Centre in Ottawa for review with details to justify support under the JAS program.

Submitting candidate for sponsors’ review under JAS program
After the assessment is completed and if confirmed that the resettled refugee requires extended support, a case profile is provided to the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) for review by sponsors who may wish to become a private sponsors under the JAS program.

2. Final selection for JAS program (refugee and sponsor)

Assessing sponsor under JAS program
When a sponsor selects an applicant(s), the sponsor submits an application for sponsorship of the selected applicant(s) under the JAS program. An assessment of the undertaking and community services for the applicable destination is conducted.

Making final decision on selected program for resettlement (JAS or GAR program)
When the assessment of the undertaking and community services is completed, or if no sponsorship is found, a decision can be made on whether the applicant(s) can be resettled under the JAS program or the GAR program.

3. Arrangements for resettlement and support in Canada

Preparing refugee for departure to Canada (under JAS program)
After the final decision is made and visa is approved, arrangements are made for departure.

Delivering support to resettled refugee (under JAS program) – approved before entry to Canada
After the client is admitted into Canada, the needed support to help with resettlement can be obtained.

Exceptional needs found after arrival in Canada

If a person is found to have exceptional needs requiring further support, after being admitted to Canada, the following processing stages are followed:

1. Assessment of potential for JAS program (refugee)

Assessing potential for JAS program
After being admitted to Canada, a resettled refugee may be found to have exceptional needs that were not initially identified that warrants extended support under the JAS program.

Submitting candidate for sponsors’ review under JAS program after entry to Canada
After the assessment is completed and if confirmed that the resettled refugee requires extended support, a case profile is provided to the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) for review by sponsors who may wish to become a private sponsors under the JAS program.

2. Final selection for JAS program (refugee and sponsor)

Assessing sponsor under JAS program
When a sponsor selects an applicant(s), the sponsor submits an application for sponsorship of the selected applicant(s) under the JAS program. An assessment of the undertaking and community services for the applicable destination is conducted.

Making final decision on selected program for resettlement (JAS or GAR program)
When the assessment of the undertaking and community services is completed, or if no sponsorship is found, a decision can be made on whether the applicant(s) can be resettled under the JAS program or the GAR program.

3. Arrangements for support in Canada

Delivering support to resettled refugee (under JAS program) – approved after entry to Canada
After the client is admitted into Canada, the needed support to help with resettlement can be obtained.

Converting BVOR to JAS
Under extreme circumstances, a refugee who has a sponsorship under the BVOR program, may be found with exceptional needs that warrants extended support.