3. Learn the rules about income guidelines

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has guidelines that say what minimum necessary income a sponsor must have.

The guidelines do not usually apply if you’re sponsoring only a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child.

But they will apply if your spouse or partner has a dependent child who has a dependent child of their own.

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 Immigration and Refugee Board.