Sponsorship Evaluation (IMM 5481) - Question about 12 month net income.

[timason]

Hello,
I was wondering if somebody could shed some light on what I should answer or do for my situation.
I am currently filling out the papers to sponsor my Japanese spouse. I spent a year in Japan on a working holiday visa, sometimes working odd jobs here and there but mostly relying on my wife during that time abroad. I came back in Canada this February and started working back at my old job.
IMM 5481 is asking me about my net income preceding my application. If I give out this information, it wouldn't really be an accurate representation of my regular income since I was staying abroad in another country and not really working during that time.
Is it possible for me to list my net income of a previous year (Feb 2014-Feb 2015)? It would be the same net income I am currently getting at the moment and the same place.
I am worried if I show a weak net income they will refuse my application.

Thanks,

Timothy

 

[volkov]

unless your spouse has dependant children, I thought it didn't matter what your income was?

 

[CofRed]

Hello,
I was wondering if somebody could shed some light on what I should answer or do for my situation.
I am currently filling out the papers to sponsor my Japanese spouse. I spent a year in Japan on a working holiday visa, sometimes working odd jobs here and there but mostly relying on my wife during that time abroad. I came back in Canada this February and started working back at my old job.
IMM 5481 is asking me about my net income preceding my application. If I give out this information, it wouldn't really be an accurate representation of my regular income since I was staying abroad in another country and not really working during that time.
Is it possible for me to list my net income of a previous year (Feb 2014-Feb 2015)? It would be the same net income I am currently getting at the moment and the same place.
I am worried if I show a weak net income they will refuse my application.

Thanks,

Timothy

A) Your income doesn't determine the outcome of Sponsor Approval, unless you were receiving social assistance.

B) Be truthful when providing information. It will save you from many sleepless nights.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Is it possible for me to list my net income of a previous year (Feb 2014-Feb 2015)? It would be the same net income I am currently getting at the moment and the same place.
I am worried if I show a weak net income they will refuse my application.

Hi

No, you cannot list a previous year's income. The question specifies the year preceding the application; putting anything else is misrepresentation.

There is no minimum income to sponsor a spouse. You just need to show that you can support yourselves in Canada without welfare. You can show this through any combination of your income, your spouse's income, savings, investments, family support etc.

 

[volkov]

There is no minimum income to sponsor a spouse. You just need to show that you can support yourselves in Canada without welfare. You can show this through any combination of your income, your spouse's income, savings, investments, family support etc.

are you certain this is the case? I thought there was no minimum income required, but you say that you need to show more than just that?

 

[CanUkrz]

When I did my application to be a sponsor (which was approved), the main goal of providing your income proof is to show you're not receiving social assistance. There is no income requirement for citizens as far as I know.

 

[Aquakitty]

are you certain this is the case? I thought there was no minimum income required, but you say that you need to show more than just that?

Yes, it's certain... I've seen people delayed for 19 months because they didn't show enough proof of self-support. Now, it's not exactly "income" they want proof of, it's how you will support yourself. For instance, if your family gives you a place to live rent-free, or your sibling helps out with childcare, these things could be relevant too.

When documentation presented leads an officer to believe that adequate arrangements have not been made for the care and support of foreign nationals seeking to remain in Canada as permanent residents, officers should take into consideration the sponsor’s financial situation and willingness to assist, as well as the financial situation or employment prospects of the applicant, if applicable.

 

[timason]

Thanks you for the replies.
I'm still a little doubtful on what I should exactly do, the Canadian gov just wants proof I am not receiving welfare and that I can support myself and my spouse but in the same time if I list my income it will only include 1-2 months worth of full-time work as I was not really working in Japan...

Here is a screenshot of the section mentioning my net income in IMM 5481 (this is the form you need to complete if you do not own any child).
This forum does not let me post any links so you will have to enter this url manually without the spaces in between.
http: //i.imgur.com/fGmFYrS.png

As you can see, there isn't really any option to justify my net income. I'd just be listing a weak income.
To me, it looks like I'd have to work another year in Canada just to show I can support the financial situation...

Any feeback is appreciated,
Thank you,
Timothy

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Do exactly as the form specifies. You can include some payslips from your job to show your current income.

 

[timason]

That's a good idea, thank you.

 

[phamhainguyen68]

Thanks you for the replies.
I'm still a little doubtful on what I should exactly do, the Canadian gov just wants proof I am not receiving welfare and that I can support myself and my spouse but in the same time if I list my income it will only include 1-2 months worth of full-time work as I was not really working in Japan...

Here is a screenshot of the section mentioning my net income in IMM 5481 (this is the form you need to complete if you do not own any child).
This forum does not let me post any links so you will have to enter this url manually without the spaces in between.
http: //i.imgur.com/fGmFYrS.png

As you can see, there isn't really any option to justify my net income. I'd just be listing a weak income.
To me, it looks like I'd have to work another year in Canada just to show I can support the financial situation...

Any feeback is appreciated,
Thank you,
Timothy

Hi Timason,

You can talk to your current employer to issue you a letter of employment with detail of your occupation, as well as your annual income. I have done the same thing as well. The letter is really helpful in the case you have only worked for a few months during the last 12 months. Your net income maybe low in this period, but the letter shows the Government that your annual income will be "this" much, and you are ready to support not only one, but two wives if they allow .

Hope the information would help you.

 

[volkov]

so according to the way you guys are interpreting this, there IS a minimum income, which is contrary to what is said that there isn't a minimum income... so which is it?



you can't on one hand say there is no minimum, when on the other hand you say that there is a minimum that is not specified, this is contradictory

 

[buonqua]

From what I understand there is no set minimum income requirement otherwise you would have to fill out the Financial Evaluation for sponsoring a spouse.

But the VO might wonder how you'll support your spouse and yourself. This is not written anywhere on the application but is experienced by previous sponsors during their application process. If we draw from their experience and don't want to risk a lengthy wait time than no harm in showing how we can support ourself and our spouse. We can provide more proof such a bank statements and housing arrangements. And anything else we can think of.

I wish I read this thread earlier because I'm in the same situation as Timason. I submitted my 2014 NOA, a year I did not work at all. Made about $8000 from my rental incomes. Just recently I got re-assessed on my re-assessed 2014 NOA and they now say I made almost $11k in 2014 and got a nice tax refund.

I wished I showed some more proofs how I'd support my wife and daughter. I would show them I owned a house, my bank account balance and my stock portfolio.

But I hope the last 12 months income which I wrote about $60,000 coming from investments might clear any doubts. But showing more would be better since I don't work a regular job.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

so according to the way you guys are interpreting this, there IS a minimum income, which is contrary to what is said that there isn't a minimum income... so which is it?

you can't on one hand say there is no minimum, when on the other hand you say that there is a minimum that is not specified, this is contradictory

There is no minimum income requirement to sponsor a spouse. People can be unemployed, low-income, a stay-at-home parent, a full-time student retired etc. and still sponsor a spouse; they just need to prove to CIC that they can support themselves in Canada without welfare.

 

[timason]

Thank you all for the information.
It's good to know as I also want to change my current job.
I think I will just included a few payslips and maybe include a letter of my own explaining a little more about my situation and maybe have it signed by my manager or something similar.

Timothy