Welfare issue?

[JamesBarnes]

Hi all,

I'm currently going through the document checklist and am looking over form imm5532e 'Relationship Information and Sponsor Evaluation'. Part A requires the sponsor (my husband) to fill out a 5 year work history and explain any gaps. My husband is concerned as, for the bulk but not all, of the 5 years he has been on welfare as he's struggled to get a job. He came off welfare in March of this year and has now secured a job as a cleaner with regular hours.

What we're both wondering is if this is going to be an issue? A little background (not sure how much info is relevant here) it's a Spousal Sponsorship, he's a Canadian Citizen and I'm a UK Citizen who's currently living in Canada as a visitor (we want to do inland) and there are no dependent children (either between us or from previous relationships).

I've seen a few threads where people with sponsors on welfare have been advised to wait until the sponsor has been off welfare for a while before applying. Is that something that's really necessary? I was under the impression that when its a spousal sponsor with no dependents they don't rely too heavily on the financial side of things. I should probably also add that I have work history in Canada from an IEC visa and my former employer has stated they would happily hire me back in my old position if I receive the OWP I'm applying for at the same time as PR through my husband. Not sure if this part is relevant but I've arrived in Canada (just under a month ago) with around $6000 CAD of funds to support myself while waiting for the OWP.

Any advice you all have would be very much appreciated.

 

[k.h.p.]

If he's not currently receiving social assistance, he's not barred. So, technically, he can absolutely apply. There is no income test for a spousal sponsorship, so it doesn't matter what he's earning, or where he's working. Strictly speaking, one of the eligibility criteria is that he not be receiving social assistance for a reason other than disability.

However, a more subjective test also exist: will he be able to pay for your family's expenses? Here, he needs to show he's thought this through. Unemployed people have absolutely been granted PR sponsor status before, but they've had to document their plan to pay for expenses through savings, or family support, or job offers, or prospects of sustainable employment.

People are likely suggesting waiting for a while after he's been on social assistance to remove doubt from a visa officer's mind that he's likely to go back onto welfare soon. As long as you are prepared for possible questions on this, or address it up-front in a letter of explanation where your husband also has to provide an employment letter, NOA, or paystubs, then he should still be able to qualify.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hi all,

I'm currently going through the document checklist and am looking over form imm5532e 'Relationship Information and Sponsor Evaluation'. Part A requires the sponsor (my husband) to fill out a 5 year work history and explain any gaps. My husband is concerned as, for the bulk but not all, of the 5 years he has been on welfare as he's struggled to get a job. He came off welfare in March of this year and has now secured a job as a cleaner with regular hours.

What we're both wondering is if this is going to be an issue? A little background (not sure how much info is relevant here) it's a Spousal Sponsorship, he's a Canadian Citizen and I'm a UK Citizen who's currently living in Canada as a visitor (we want to do inland) and there are no dependent children (either between us or from previous relationships).

I've seen a few threads where people with sponsors on welfare have been advised to wait until the sponsor has been off welfare for a while before applying. Is that something that's really necessary? I was under the impression that when its a spousal sponsor with no dependents they don't rely too heavily on the financial side of things. I should probably also add that I have work history in Canada from an IEC visa and my former employer has stated they would happily hire me back in my old position if I receive the OWP I'm applying for at the same time as PR through my husband. Not sure if this part is relevant but I've arrived in Canada (just under a month ago) with around $6000 CAD of funds to support myself while waiting for the OWP.

Any advice you all have would be very much appreciated.

He doesn't need to wait but he should contact the relevant welfare authority in his province to ensure he is off of their list.

Given his long stint on welfare and very recent job, you guys need to provide a SOLID financial plan.

 

[canuck78]

Unless you are common law you still have to get married and wait for marriage certificate. All that can take a few months.

 

[k.h.p.]

Unless you are common law you still have to get married and wait for marriage certificate. All that can take a few months.

In the first sentence OP refers to her husband, so I think they're married.