Option C

[throwmyapples]

Hi guys,

I am the sponsor, living in the U.S. with my common-law partner (sponsored applicant). After 6 fearful, excited months, we are about 2 weeks away from submitting everything (she has her doctor's appointment next week). I feel like my heart is constantly in my chest about all of this!

My question is regarding my sponsorship evaluation and the requirement for an option-c print-out. I moved to the U.S. 6 years ago, and did not ever file taxes when I was in Canada. I had very part-time employment in Canada between June and October of 2003, just before I moved to the U.S, but did not file taxes on the small amount of income I made in those few months.

Here's what I have included:
-Two U.S. w-2 tax forms for the most recent tax year, one for each of the jobs I had last year (one of which I no longer have).
-A letter from each of my two employers this year stating my wage/length of employment/average monthly income.
-A letter explaining that I have never filed Canadian taxes and have not been employed there since 2003, and thus have not included an option-C

I did try and contact the Revenue Agency byway of a mailed letter, I explained that I was seeking to have a record of no taxes ever having been filed, and I even made a point of saying that I would like to tie up any loose ends as far as penalties (which I don't anticipate as the amount in 2003 was so low). I have not heard anything back from them at all. This makes me wonder if a) there's really nothing to be done because there are no records or b) my letter was ignored/not received.

What is the appropriate way to address/fix the missing option-c requirement in my sponsorship application? I am terrified that our packet will be seen as incomplete without it. I also feel that including a 2003 option-c (even if it did exist) would be futile in trying to establish record of my current ability to support my partner. It seems like the appropriate documents to include would be those that reflect my current income.

What on earth should I do? Is what I have included thus far enough?

Did everyone else have major panic too?
???

Thank you TONS ahead of time,
Jo

 

[awor]

Take a look at #19 on the sponsorship checklist:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5491E.PDF

Don't forget to include proof of your intent to settle in Canada as well.

 

[throwmyapples]

Take a look at #19 on the sponsorship checklist:


Don't forget to include proof of your intent to settle in Canada as well.

I appreciate the pointer, but we've already read the guide and checklists forwards and backwards. I guess I was looking for someone who was able to specifically explain what would be considered adequate documentation of my eligibility to sponsor.

As far as intent to resettle, we have two letters from my siblings in the area we will move to who have extended their homes and help to us. I have emailed my resume to a few childcare places (that's my current line of work) but it's really hard to get a response from someone when you're unsure about when you will actually arrive. With the current timeline on the CIC website being 11 months, I don't really understand how we are supposed to obtain employment and housing so far in advance. I haven't had an address or bank account in Canada since 2003. Are letters from family enough? What else can we do if we are both going to be in the U.S. until we are approved?

Thank you so much!

 

[CharlieD10]

TMA, you should be fine with the information you have included. There are many sponsors living exclusively outside Canada who are approved because they send tax information from the country they are currently residing in detailing their income and tax liabilities. Remember that the point of the tax information for spousal sponsorships is to show that you are not in receipt of social assistance, not an undischarged bankrupt and able to provide the basic needs of your spouse and self.

Re intent to resettle, if you can't provide a lot of proof surrounding going back to Canada, remember you can provide proof you are leaving the US - cancelling lease, listing of home for sale, contract with movers, advising current employer of intention to leave, withdrawing a child from school and making plans to enroll them in a Canadian school- any of these that are relevant to your situation can provide additional proof that you have more than a vague intention.

 

[throwmyapples]

TMA, you should be fine with the information you have included. There are many sponsors living exclusively outside Canada who are approved because they send tax information from the country they are currently residing in detailing their income and tax liabilities. Remember that the point of the tax information for spousal sponsorships is to show that you are not in receipt of social assistance, not an undischarged bankrupt and able to provide the basic needs of your spouse and self.

Re intent to resettle, if you can't provide a lot of proof surrounding going back to Canada, remember you can provide proof you are leaving the US - cancelling lease, listing of home for sale, contract with movers, advising current employer of intention to leave, withdrawing a child from school and making plans to enroll them in a Canadian school- any of these that are relevant to your situation can provide additional proof that you have more than a vague intention.

Thank you, Charlie!! I was hoping that this was the case with tax documentation! What a relief. I was having mild panic about trying to find income documents from 8 years ago! A W-2 form does not specifically state that I am not in receipt of social assistance or that I haven't filed for bankruptcy, it only has my employer, yearly gross and net income, and a breakdown of taxation for the year. Should I have proof that I am not receiving assistance/bankrupt?

And thank you as well for the pointers on the intent to resettle! I can provide letters from both my employers as they are aware that I will be leaving "sometime in the next 6-12 months" to live in Canada with my partner. While we can't cancel the lease as I'm waiting to go until my partner is approved, could we perhaps have a letter showing we've notified our landlord of our intent to move to Canada sometime in the next year?

Also, is it imperative that I give an accurate and specific date that I intend to arrive in Canada? My partner and I plan to pack up a big uhaul and make the long drive together with our pups from Kentucky to British Columbia, and I won't know that date until we are approved. It's so difficult to try and look for employment and housing in Canada when I have no earthly idea when we will actually be able to go! Any ideas as to what I should put as my resettling date?

Thank you again, so very very much! We're so scared we are going to make a mistake, and it's so wonderful to have knowledgeable willing to help out.

 

[canadianwoman]

Letters from your employers and landlord would be good evidence.

The evidence you have now of your income in the US sounds fine. You could include a copy of last year's income tax form, as well. As long as you attach a letter explaining why you don't have an Option C, it will be accepted by CIC.

 

[throwmyapples]

Does anyone have any insight as to what to put for the date I intend to land in Canada? I plan to arrive with my partner, but we will not know the date we are going until we are approved.

 

[awor]

What are the pro's thoughts on hand writing in: "when our application is approved" ?

 

[canadianwoman]

I would just pick some reasonable date, relative to how long the processing usually takes, and put that. You are not beholden to it, and at the interview can always say you are hoping to get to Canada by that date, but if the processing takes longer will of course have to delay your return.

 

[throwmyapples]

What are the pro's thoughts on hand writing in: "when our application is approved" ?

I wish I could! It's a very specific 8-digit date box though. :-/

I would just pick some reasonable date, relative to how long the processing usually takes, and put that. You are not beholden to it, and at the interview can always say you are hoping to get to Canada by that date, but if the processing takes longer will of course have to delay your return.

Thank you, I think that's what we are going to do. I think I will include a note explaining that the specific date is contigent upon our approval as we would like to arrive together. I hope that is sufficient! Thank you.

 

[throwmyapples]

Still feeling uneasy

I am still having trouble feeling okay about what is included for my sponsorship evaluation. I included my 2010 tax return, letters from my 2 employers, and a print-out showing that I have a fair amount of money in my savings and checking accounts.

My understanding is that the option c would show that not only my yearly income but my student loan status, any bankruptcy issues, and whether or not I am in receipt of social assistance. To my knowledge there just isn't a U.S. equivalent to a catch-all document like this. I feel great about the income information I've provided, but I feel really nervous about the fact that I don't really have a way of proving that I am not receiving assistance and am not bankrupt. I do have student loans which are deferred until next year, but that isn't anywhere on my government documents, only on my student loan bills.

Is there anyone out there that has been working outside of Canada for a very long time? I've heard you're out there, but I haven't heard any direct advice about this.

???

I even tried emailing David Cohen and he said he was unsure due to changing Canadian laws?

Does anyone have any concrete advice?

 

[canadianwoman]

Several forum members have reported that they did not provide an Option C (for various reasons), and no one has reported that it was an issue. I myself did not include an Option C, and it was never requested; nor was it ever even mentioned. My CAIPS notes did have a note at the beginning stating they had tried to check if I had been on social assistance, but were unable to because Saskatchewan law does not allow that. Again, no one ever asked for any other proof.
You are including proof of the job you have now, which will certainly be taken as evidence that you are not on welfare now - and it doesn't matter if you were in the past. If they are suspicious about bankruptcy, the visa officer will probably just ask for more information.

 

[throwmyapples]

Several forum members have reported that they did not provide an Option C (for various reasons), and no one has reported that it was an issue. I myself did not include an Option C, and it was never requested; nor was it ever even mentioned. My CAIPS notes did have a note at the beginning stating they had tried to check if I had been on social assistance, but were unable to because Saskatchewan law does not allow that. Again, no one ever asked for any other proof.
You are including proof of the job you have now, which will certainly be taken as evidence that you are not on welfare now - and it doesn't matter if you were in the past. If they are suspicious about bankruptcy, the visa officer will probably just ask for more information.

Oh wow, THANK YOU!! I am so grateful for your answer. I started getting worried that without it, unless I had 12 months of pay stubs and proof of rental or interest income that I was SCREWED. I'm relieved to know that my info will likely satisfy their questions. I tried to contact the tax services here to ask if there was a similar all-encompassing print-out in the U.S. and no one had any clue what I was talking about. Thanks so much!!! Might I ask how you handled explaining the lack of the Option C and what you included instead?

 

[canadianwoman]

I didn't file an income tax return the year before, and so didn't have an Option C. I explained why - I had no job and no income because I was taking care of my very sick parents that year - and explained what I was living on - my parents were paying all household expenses.
Hey, if the visa officer or appeal court judge had ever even mentioned, even given a hint, that they thought there was something wrong with quitting your job to go home to look after your dying mother, I would have taken my case to the press.

 

[throwmyapples]

I didn't file an income tax return the year before, and so didn't have an Option C. I explained why - I had no job and no income because I was taking care of my very sick parents that year - and explained what I was living on - my parents were paying all household expenses.
Hey, if the visa officer or appeal court judge had ever even mentioned, even given a hint, that they thought there was something wrong with quitting your job to go home to look after your dying mother, I would have taken my case to the press.

CanadianWoman, I'm so sorry to hear that you had such a hard year. It must have been so crazy to carry such a heavy load and then go through the anxiety of the application process as well. I commend you for sticking by your parents, and yes, that is a pretty damn valid reason to lack proof of income. I'm glad that the lack of proof of income didn't hinder your plans! Thanks very much.