Refusal of Spousal Sponsorship due to lack of income?

[bscinto92]

I have a few questions about my situation here, that may be a little different than some other situations. I am a United States citizen, who married a Canadian Citizen (by birth) ... I have no concerns about getting refused for reasons such as not having enough proof of how genuine our relationship is, as I know that it is genuine and if it came down to us having to tell our entire story at an interview they would be able to see it is too. I have plenty of photo's, and wedding cards, and letters & such written from all sorts of family members to prove that this is no joke... We also have several tattoo's for eachother, one of them being the date we first met on his wrist : )

However, I do have one concern. My husband, who is the Canadian Citizen has been on a leave of absence from his job at Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, due to his battle with anorexia nervosa, which he has now thankfully completely recovered from : ). He still gets paid through an insurance company called Manulife (you're probably familiar with that name), and through the Canadian Pension Plan every month. He supported both me and himself for the 6 months that I lived with him in order to help him recover from his previous eating disorder based off of that income which was roughly about $19,200.00/yr, and still we had extra money left over at the end of every month even to purchase plane tickets for me to come back to the U.S and for him to come visit me and so on and so forth... I read on a few websites that the minimum necessary income for someone to sponsor their spouse has to be somewhere around $26,500/yr? How could this be possible if he makes less than that a year and was still able to support us? My husband plans to leave the current job that he receives his benefits from as soon as his benefits get cut off, and then look for a new one as soon as possible. Should we still follow through with sending in the applications? I'm afraid that he will get denied spousal sponsorship if they don't think he makes enough money according to their standards. I really hope this isn't true, since we were clearly able to live off of an income that was less than $20,000/yr. I have read on other forums that people who are sponsoring dependent children and spouses/common-law partners/conjugal partners will not be refused if they do not have an income that is high enough... but does that mean only spouses WITH dependent children, or spouses OR dependent children? Basically, my main concern here is... will we get denied spousal sponsorship for rights to permanent residency if my husband does not make enough money if the Canadian Governments eyes? Your help is greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance for your answers. This is all very difficult for me to figure out since I can no longer call the CIC call centre services now that I am living back in the US

 

[Yogi3845]

I have a few questions about my situation here, that may be a little different than some other situations. I am a United States citizen, who married a Canadian Citizen (by birth) ... I have no concerns about getting refused for reasons such as not having enough proof of how genuine our relationship is, as I know that it is genuine and if it came down to us having to tell our entire story at an interview they would be able to see it is too. I have plenty of photo's, and wedding cards, and letters & such written from all sorts of family members to prove that this is no joke... We also have several tattoo's for eachother, one of them being the date we first met on his wrist : )

However, I do have one concern. My husband, who is the Canadian Citizen has been on a leave of absence from his job at Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, due to his battle with anorexia nervosa, which he has now thankfully completely recovered from : ). He still gets paid through an insurance company called Manulife (you're probably familiar with that name), and through the Canadian Pension Plan every month. He supported both me and himself for the 6 months that I lived with him in order to help him recover from his previous eating disorder based off of that income which was roughly about $19,200.00/yr, and still we had extra money left over at the end of every month even to purchase plane tickets for me to come back to the U.S and for him to come visit me and so on and so forth... I read on a few websites that the minimum necessary income for someone to sponsor their spouse has to be somewhere around $26,500/yr? How could this be possible if he makes less than that a year and was still able to support us? My husband plans to leave the current job that he receives his benefits from as soon as his benefits get cut off, and then look for a new one as soon as possible. Should we still follow through with sending in the applications? I'm afraid that he will get denied spousal sponsorship if they don't think he makes enough money according to their standards. I really hope this isn't true, since we were clearly able to live off of an income that was less than $20,000/yr. I have read on other forums that people who are sponsoring dependent children and spouses/common-law partners/conjugal partners will not be refused if they do not have an income that is high enough... but does that mean only spouses WITH dependent children, or spouses OR dependent children? Basically, my main concern here is... will we get denied spousal sponsorship for rights to permanent residency if my husband does not make enough money if the Canadian Governments eyes? Your help is greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance for your answers. This is all very difficult for me to figure out since I can no longer call the CIC call centre services now that I am living back in the US

There is no minimum income requirement for spousal sponsorship. However, you may be required to demonstarte the sources which can help you support your spouse for a period of three years. It is another issue that one cannot afford a better living standard with such a low level of income in canada

 

[Fencesitter]

We didn't supply any financial evidence. The only thing I provided was a job offer (letter of intent) and a detailed relocation plan indicating that we have no debts and money saved in the bank. I also provided proof of my income while living abroad, so I guess that was enough, as I received sponsorship approval without any questions or concerns.

FS

 

[Creampop]

Basically, my main concern here is... will we get denied spousal sponsorship for rights to permanent residency if my husband does not make enough money if the Canadian Governments eyes?

This can NOT be the reason for sponsorship refusal...

 

[bscinto92]

So basically, if I've read all the posts correctly, we have nothing to worry about? Technically, my husband is still employed by Lowe's, however he plans to quit before we hand in our application and find new work for personal reasons. We plan to provide proof that he supported me and him together for 6 months, but how can I prove that he intends to find work to be able to support us both again when I live there? Is a written letter from him good enough? I'm sorry, I'm such a newbie and this is very nerve racking since I want to make sure that everything is right before we send our applications in. I'm glad I found this forum because sometimes other sources just don't provide me with enough information, especially just reading off the internet. Thanks so much for your help and advice guys! It means a lot!!

 

[nole73]

Basically, my main concern here is... will we get denied spousal sponsorship for rights to permanent residency if my husband does not make enough money if the Canadian Governments eyes?

Income is not a factor at all for spousal sponsorship.

 

[Sweden]

So basically, if I've read all the posts correctly, we have nothing to worry about? Technically, my husband is still employed by Lowe's, however he plans to quit before we hand in our application and find new work for personal reasons. We plan to provide proof that he supported me and him together for 6 months, but how can I prove that he intends to find work to be able to support us both again when I live there? Is a written letter from him good enough? I'm sorry, I'm such a newbie and this is very nerve racking since I want to make sure that everything is right before we send our applications in. I'm glad I found this forum because sometimes other sources just don't provide me with enough information, especially just reading off the internet. Thanks so much for your help and advice guys! It means a lot!!

Try to be as detailed as possible. What CIC wants to see if that your sponsor is NOT on welfare, and is unlikely to go on welfare when he has to support both you and him... so explain as best as you can, with proofs, details etc, the way he has been supporting you, what his plans are - if he has resigned by the time you send the application, I would encourage you to include proofs of contacts with future employers, a letter explaining what steps he intends to take to find a new job, his job search in general etc, so they can see he is serious about it, and active. What you want to avoid is to "worry" them that he might go on welfare. You don't have to meet a minimum income, but they want to know that you and him will not be a burden on Canada's welfare. it's better to be quite detailed and address all their potential concerns in your file, rather than wait to be asked for more.

If they are not convinced when they examine your case, then they will give you the opportunity to submit more proofs, but it will delay a bit your file - so try and be as thorough as possible for that.

Good luck with your application!
Sweden

 

[bscinto92]

Great! So a written letter from my husband himself explaining in detail how he supported me and how he also INTENDS to support me will be good enough? Should he include all jobs he has applied to?

 

[bscinto92]

One last question! haha... would it help any to state in the letter that we have been and still will be living in the finished basement of his parents house, who will help us out with basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, heat, water etc.) until I can get out on my own and start working after being granted permanent residency? Sorry for the constant series of questions! I just like to be sure of myself before I follow through with things so that there is no delays in processing times! Thanks so much for all of your help!

 

[Sweden]

One last question! haha... would it help any to state in the letter that we have been and still will be living in the finished basement of his parents house, who will help us out with basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, heat, water etc.) until I can get out on my own and start working after being granted permanent residency? Sorry for the constant series of questions! I just like to be sure of myself before I follow through with things so that there is no delays in processing times! Thanks so much for all of your help!

that would be a good idea. both the letter from his parents, and their help in providing with your needs, as well as the letter from your husband explaining how he intends to support, and the jobs he has applied to.

My partner is a student, outside of Canada, who has worked 5 months in the last 3 years, and has a debt to reimburse, and he got approved to sponsor me, because he explained hwo he had been supporting himself through his studies, and what is his plans (our plans..) when we get back to Canada.

basically - what CIC wants to know is that you are serious about getting a job and not going on welfare. So just explain what you thought about, as a couple, how you intend to start your life when you are together, the help you will get etc. look at it with an external eye, and try to see if it would be convincing to somebody else. From your posting, it looks like you have done a fair deal of discussing and thinking with your husband on how you will make ends meet when you move to Canada, so just explain that in your sponsorship application in as much details as possible, and you should be good to go!

Don't worry about asking questions - that's what the forum is for.
Good luck with your application!
Sweden

 

[bscinto92]

Well, we certainly don't intend to live off of welfare. However his parents were on welfare during the time that I was living there, but I don't believe that should have anything to do with my husband and I. This is all very stressful, especially since I am unable to be with my husband while this all has to be processed. I would have loved to do the inland application, but I really don't think I could live in Canada for two years without being able to work OR study, cause I might go crazy out of boredemn! lol. But truthfully I think it's much more worth it to do it outland so that I get to work there sooner : ) How long did it take you to finally get permanent residency in Canada? Is it really as long as it seems? I'm super excited to go back and live there, the city my husband lives in is everything I've ever wanted.

 

[Sweden]

the parents situation should not have anything to do indeed, so you should be fine.

I'm not approved yet... the first part only. Sponsorship approval according to CIC website is now taking around 86days but it seems to be decreasing a bit, so maybe by the time you apply it will be down to 70 days ( don't get your hopes too high though, this is CIC we are talking about - very unreliable!).

The second part depends on your VO - for you as a US citizen, you can count probably on 6 to 8 months for a straight forward case, maybe more, maybe less. So in total, it could be as fast as 7 months, or up to 12...

but as you are from a visa exempt country, you can apply, and come into Canada as a tourist, and stay with your husband. You will still not be allowed to work, no healthcare etc, but at least you could be together... even if you apply outland you can still be in Canada... a lot of US/can couple do that, and it's no problem ( there are a few things to do when you cross the border etc, but it's a possibility... ).

I'm also from a visa-exempt country, and I'll be moving to Canada in October, without or without a PR! and wait it out in Canada, getting familiar with the place, finding a place to settle, and just enjoying the surroundings until I get the opportunity to start looking for a job...

Good luck!
Sweden

 

[bscinto92]

A couple more questions that I just brainstormed...

Do the immigration officers look for things such as age differences? I worry that they may not think our relationship is genuine because my husband and I are 12 years apart in age. I'm 20 years old, and he is 32. Everyone thinks that's a really big age difference because in a sense it is, but if you knew my husband you would definitely not think he was 32... I just don't want them to think it was set up or anything like that. However, he is familiar with my family and I am familiar with his, so would that help any to prove our relationship is genuine?

Also, just out of curiosity... is it generally easier for US citizens to get accepted since Canada and the US are neighbouring countries, or does it not make a difference where you are from?

 

[CharlieD10]

Definitely easier for Americans, not just because you are neighbours, but because your countries enjoy similar standards of living, therefore Americans are unlikely to enter into false relationships merely to gain the economic benefits of having status in Canada.

An age difference of itself will not cause a refusal. It is less so when a Western couple is involved and the male is the older one. You don't need to concern yourself overly with it. You can choose to explain why it's not an issue within the context of your relationship, but it's not hugely a cause for concern.

 

[bscinto92]

thanks so much. i know i'm such a worry wart but you guys have been the best help i've gotten so far!