Road To Canada Forums

Hi all --

thnx to awa1979 and derby girl for help w/ our questions last time -- we have a couple more final Sponsorship questions to complete the app. form >> hopefully someone can enlighten us!

I have looked through the sponsors' guide & applicable webpages but am curious re; parts 17, 18, 19 and 20 of the sponsors document checklist (as it applies to us) - the financial income proof needed and and the 'proof you intend to live in Canada w/ your spouse once they become prm. residents of Canada'.

I am sponsoring my wife and applying outside Canada (outland) before we arrive in Nov. sometime (I am a U.K. born CDN citizen). We will be applying to London, my wifes' country of origin/passport issued location.

I am self-employed via royalty income from previously published works. As I am not the 'sole owner of an unicorporated business' - I cannot determine the extent of financial proof required. I will explain the absence of an 'Option C printout' and, as I pass the 'minimum necessary income requirement' I intend to include a copy my recent annual (French) tax declaration.

I guess I am wondering if a tax declaration will suffice or, if any proof is actually needed as I pass the 'minimum necessary income requirement' in part 3 (income amount) of the Sponsorship Evaluation form?

Regarding part 20 'proof you intend to live in Canada w/ your spouse once they become prm. residents of Canada' - maybe a rental agreement would be acceptable, but we are unable to rent this far in advance. Although I currently have self-empl. work opportunities/offers, but no contract - this doesnt really prove our future proof of union either.

Would a joint CDN bank account suffice as a formal intent to live together in the future?

Guess I am just curious how to prove future intentions. My CDN-based parents would be happy to act as initial CDN address/guarantors but this is not the info needed here.

anyone have some suggestions?!

Many Thanks in advance --

John.

There is no minimum income requirement for spousal sponsorship - so you don't need to prove that you pass the minimum necessary income requirement. From Section 10.3 of the OP2 Processing Manual:

Quote:Sponsors of dependent children and of spouses, common-law partners or conjugal partners (unless they have dependent children who have dependent children of their own) do not have to meet financial requirements, but they do undertake to provide for the basic necessities of the sponsored applicants so that the applicants do not need social assistance. Applicants may be refused for financial reasons under A39 if they are unable or unwilling to support themselves and their dependent children and there are not adequate arrangements for their care and support. 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.

The Option C is requested to prove that the sponsor is not in receipt of social assistance benefits in Canada. They do ask, in the Sponsorship Evaluation form 5481, Q#3, for your net personal income for the past 12 months . . . but there is no proof required. You can submit your French tax declaration if you want to - but you really aren't required to. All you need to do is explain why you don't have an Option C print - because you have not been living/working in Canada.

This will lead, of course, to the requirement for proof of your intention to return to Canada. First of all, they're not just asking for proof of your formal intent to live together in the future. They want much more than that - basically because you are signing an undertaking agreement to provide support and basic necessities for your sponsored family member for three years time after they land. The Canadian government does not want their citizens sponsoring family members to come to Canada - and then just sending them to Canada to fend for themselves (or to be supported by their government) while they remain living and working in a foreign country. So - a few suggestions: you can submit a declaration from your family in Canada that says that they will provide housing and support for you and your wife when you arrive in Canada until you can get established. You can also submit a copy of your intent to resign from your job in France - or a copy of your status document there that shows an expiration date for your time to stay. These are just suggestions . . . proving you will return to Canada - when that means providing proof that you've rented/purchased property, or have gotten a job, or have resigned from your job where you are, etc. - is difficult to do when you're just at the beginning of the process and you have absolutely no concrete timeline from CIC about when their end of the process will be completed . . . but that's what they require anyway. I'd suggest that you start with a notarized declaration from your parents - and if that's not sufficient, the processing office will notify you and ask for additional information. By then you'll be a bit further along in the process - at least you'll know that you were approved to sponsor. And you'll have a more definitive timeline because the application will be at London - so it might be a bit easier to give them what they ask for.

From Section 13.3 of the IP2 Processing Manual:

Quote: Sponsorship by Canadian citizens living abroad
The following applies to Canadian citizens living abroad:
• Canadian citizens who reside abroad may sponsor only their spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or a dependent child who does not have dependent children of their own;
• they must submit their sponsorship application package and fees to the CPC-M in Canada and not to the visa office;
• Canadian citizens who are tourists in a foreign country, even for extended periods, are still residents of Canada;
• Canadian citizens who are long-term workers or students in another country are generally considered residents of that country;
• Canadians who have spent little or no time in Canada may also seek to sponsor. If they have never worked in Canada and do not have the educational or language skills to find employment in Canada, refusal under A39 may be appropriate if arrangements for the care and support of the sponsored person are not satisfactory;
• sponsors must provide evidence that they will reside in Canada after the sponsored persons and their family members become permanent residents. Evidence that sponsors will reside in Canada may include one or more of the following:
• letter from an employer;
• letter of acceptance to a Canadian educational institution;
• proof of having rented/bought a dwelling in Canada;
• reasonable plans for re-establishing in Canada or severing ties to the other country.

Hi Robsluv ---

many, many thanks for the detailed reply > we have received simliar information from someone else - i.e. incl. letters of support from family (offering assistance until we are estab.) and friends - including a general overview of our intentions. This should suffice with addt'l proof of our many years of self-sufficiency in France. I'll keep in mind that the three years of future financial support in Canada is the key info they require.

I was going to include supporting tax returns & bank statements -- but as this is not a requirement - I will hold off unless requested. they've already got too much information as it is!!!

thanks once again robsluv - we really appreciate the info --

kind regards,

John