3. Learn the rules about income guidelines
Question & Answer
Can I sponsor my spouse or partner who’s living outside Canada?Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has guidelines that say what minimum necessary income a sponsor must have.
The guidelines don't usually apply if you’re sponsoring only a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child.
But they will apply if your or partner has a who has a dependent child of their own.
Special rules for minimum necessary income during COVID-19
As of October 2, 2020, IRCC will be more flexible in applying the minimum necessary income for sponsors relying on income for the 2020 tax year. But they must also meet the conditions outlined in the policy.
When figuring out the minimum necessary income that applies to you, IRCC will also include income from:
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits
- other COVID-related benefits
When the guidelines apply, the sponsorship package includes a Financial Evaluation form that people complete and include with their application.
The minimum necessary income someone needs as a sponsor depends on:
- the number of people in Canada who they already have a responsibility to support financially, plus
- the number of people they want to sponsor.
Relying on social assistance
Sometimes IRCC will refuse a spouse or partner's application for permanent residence if they think that the sponsored person may need to rely on social assistance in Canada.
If this happens, you may be able to successfully appeal the refusal to the Immigration Appeal Division of the .
