Income issue for Spousal Sponsorship

[sidkrose]

Hi all,

I am aware that there is no income requirement for spousal sponsorship, However I have heard that if they think that the sponsor cannot support themselves or their spouse w/out resorting to welfare, they can reject them. Here is the situation:

For 2010, I only made about $600 because I was a student for the first half of the year, and living in Germany w/ my partner off of savings for the second half. I do have some money in the bank, but not a lot, by any means (about 5000). I also, obviously, am unemployed and doubt that I will have employment by the time we file our application. I will be applying to part time jobs though, by the time we file (I will still be a student when I return to Canada).

So here is my question:

If we include my bank statement, his bank statement (he has some money in the bank too, and is working now), evidence that I am looking for jobs, and a letter from my parents stating that they will help us out w/ living accommodations/basic necessities until we get on our feet, can they possibly refuse me?

This is causing me stress!! haha, any indication you can give me would be great

 

[confusednscared]

You can get a close kin to act as a co-signer on your behalf to show that there is enough funds to take care of you two upon return to Canada.

You also have to show establishment of residency in Canada upon approval of your partner's application.

 

[sidkrose]

Really? I have never heard of having a co-signer for spousal sponsorship. Does anyone else have an opinion on this? Will a letter from my parents saying they will support us suffice?

Also, I will be living in Canada again by the time we file, so I don't need to prove re-establishment, do I?

 

[CharlieD10]

Spousal sponsorship does not need or allow for a co-signer as they are exempt from the income requirements.

If you will be back in Canada by the time you file the application, and plan to remain there, you don't have to prove re-establishment. However, if you will be newly-arrived, I would encourage you to still present proof that you have put plans in place to support yourselves and care for your expenses. You still have to convince CIC that proper arrangements are in place that do not involve welfare, so if you will not have a job and your Option C printout will not show much or any income, include the letter of support from your parents.

 

[canadianwoman]

Agree with CharlieD10. You won't need to prove you will come back to Canada, and you don't need an income, but it will look better if you show your plans for the both of you once you are both in Canada: show where you will live, a job search if no job yet, all evidence of savings (yours and his), evidence of his income and job to show he will be able to get a job in Canada. As well, get a letter from your parents stating that they will allow the two of you to live in their home and will help support you until you both get jobs.

 

[fizzlefunk]

Hi sidkrose,

My sponsor (wife) is in a similar position -- she is a student and her parents support her while in school, meaning her income last year was about $1000. At the advice of our immigration lawyer, we included a printout of both of our online banks' account statement page (showing the available balance) and I included a letter I wrote indicating how we intend to support ourselves (living off savings demonstrated until I can get a job). Do note I saved up a good amount for this purpose (enough to live for about 6 months). My wife's sponsorship eligibility was approved April 14.

Hope this helps!

 

[sidkrose]

Thanks everyone, you've been very helpful! I will include both of our bank statements, evidence of my job search and the letter from my parents stating we will live in their basement suite and they will provide the basics for us, should we have the need.

 

[glak1234]

I am in the same position...
I am a student and living with my parents while I was in school and I am still living with them, but I am not in school anymore and I don't have a job, I just ended school April 5th...I am going to sponsor my husband to come to Canada. I do have a student line of credit that I will need to pay off as soon as I start to work though, but no savings. I also had a job in 2010 making about $3000 for the year.

I actually had a job interview today, and am waiting to see if I get the position but if I don't by the time we need to file I won't be employed, yet I am trying and applying to places. I am assuming that it won't be an issue since I will be providing a letter of how we will both look for jobs and be employed to support ourselves to start our own family when he is here, as well as including a letter from my parents saying they will take care of us when need be, until we find jobs and settle down and won't need any government assistance. I plan to include their income information so that they can see that they have the means to support us with a roof over our heads.

Anyone have a view on this, do you think it will be okay?

Anyone else apply for a sponsorship while not employed, how was the procedure and were you approved?

 

[steaky]

I applied the sponsorship while not employed. I was a Canadian citizen living exclusively outside Canada. I mailed the application and provided my supporting document, proof of our genuine relationship and photos to CIC. Now both of us are happily living in BC.

 

[rjessome]

You can get a close kin to act as a co-signer on your behalf to show that there is enough funds to take care of you two upon return to Canada.

You also have to show establishment of residency in Canada upon approval of your partner's application.

No, this is wrong. There is NO co-signer for a spousal sponsorship application. And no, you don't have to show establishment of residency in Canada upon approval of the application for PR. PRIOR to approval you must prove "intent to re-settle" in Canada. "Intent" and "establishment" have two very different meanings.

I am in the same position...
I am a student and living with my parents while I was in school and I am still living with them, but I am not in school anymore and I don't have a job, I just ended school April 5th...I am going to sponsor my husband to come to Canada. I do have a student line of credit that I will need to pay off as soon as I start to work though, but no savings. I also had a job in 2010 making about $3000 for the year.

I actually had a job interview today, and am waiting to see if I get the position but if I don't by the time we need to file I won't be employed, yet I am trying and applying to places. I am assuming that it won't be an issue since I will be providing a letter of how we will both look for jobs and be employed to support ourselves to start our own family when he is here, as well as including a letter from my parents saying they will take care of us when need be, until we find jobs and settle down and won't need any government assistance. I plan to include their income information so that they can see that they have the means to support us with a roof over our heads.

Anyone have a view on this, do you think it will be okay?

Anyone else apply for a sponsorship while not employed, how was the procedure and were you approved?

There are two stages of this process. One is that you qualify to sponsor and the other is that when considering your husband's application for PR, the VO will look at your ability as a couple to be self-sufficient and not needing to rely on Canada's social services. As long as you are not in receipt of welfare benefits or have an undischarged bankruptcy you will be financially eligilbe to sponsor. As for the 2nd part, yes, letters from your family of financial support should help as well as just the fact that you are educated and looking for work.

Imagine these two scenarios from a VO's perspective.

1. Sponsor is 35 years old, very little education, has been on and off welfare for years, hasn't held more than a part-time job, doesn't show savings or any other assets and doesn't have family support. They marry someone who does not speak English or French, minimum education/training and has never worked.

2. Sponsor is 25 years old, just graduated from university/college/trade or technical school, has held part-time jobs in the past while attending school, lives with family and is actively seeking employment. Marries someone who either has a decent education or good history of employment (or both), and speaks at least some English or French.

Which scenario do you think will give the VO a sense that they are NOT going to have to rely on social assistance in Canada?

 

[hopetoland]

@sidkrose

my husband and i we are in the same situation, but we had a letter from his parents that we´re gonna stay with them and looking for jobs. it seemed to be enough because he got approved