Financial disclosure for sponsorship of spouse (no children)

[tsdanza]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for some advice on the financial section, for an application where a Canadian citizen is sponsoring a spouse (and there are no children, or other family members involved.)

Months ago I seem to remember reading something that said there is no minimum income requirement for this type of sponsorship (can anyone confirm?)

Even so, IMM5481E (Question 3) stills asks for income. Do I need to answer this if the above is true about no minimum income requirement?

 

[scylla]

There is no minimum income required. (But you cannot be on social assistance or bankrupt.)

Yes - you still have to provide the financial information requested.

 

[tsdanza]

Thanks for such a quick answer.

I was just worried, because I'm self-employed (IE I pay myself as little as possible) so I was afraid they were going to hold it against me.

 

[RobsLuv]

You don't have to meet minimum income requirements to sponsor your spouse (or dependent child(ren)) - but you do have to show that you can at least honour your commitment to provide for the basic necessities of your family member(s) for the period of undertaking (3 years for a spouse). The issue is to assure them that you family member will not end up having to apply for social assistance - if they do while they are within the undertaking period, you have to pay it back.

A spousal applicant can be refused for financial reasons under A39 if "they are, or will be, unable or unwilling to support themselves (or any other person who is dependent on them), and have not satisfied an officer that adequate arrangements for care and support, other than those that involve social assistance, have been made."

 

[tsdanza]

So while I earn a stipend on paper perhaps I should back that up with the health of my business / availability of funds if required.