Income exemption for Spousal Sponsorship

[im-sponsoring]

Hi all,
I read in an earliar post that those of us sponsoring our spouse, are exempt from the minimum necessary income. Can someone please direct me to where it states that in the guide?

I only want to sponsor my spouse, we have no children or any other dependants.

Thank you

[whoopi83]

Sponsors guide IMM3900 page 9 top of the page:

You will have to provide us with documents that show your financial resources for the past 12 months and prove you are financially able to sponsor members of the family class. You may solicit the help of a co-signer (must be your spouse or common-law partner). If you reside in Quebec, see also Sponsors living in Quebec.

This condition does not apply if you are sponsoring only your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner who has no dependent children, or your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner whose dependent children have no children of their own, or your dependent child who has no children of his or her own.

[kay77]

Hi There,

I had a similar query, in the document checklist it lists out a few supporting documents that are required as evidence of income:

#17
Notice of Assessment - Option C Printout
#18
Original Letter from Current Employer
#19
Evidence of various types of Income

I am presently not working and am a Canadian Citizen living abroad with my husband who is currently supporting me. I am only sponsoring my husband, does the above apply to me as well? Sorry if this is a silly question.

[rjessome]

Not a silly question kay.  Write a letter to that effect and provide proof of your husband's income.

[kay77]

Hi There,

Thank you for your quick response....

Kay

[NYCtoNB]

i apologize as i have asked this before without reply, but can a T4 serve to replace the option c print out?
my husband is currently in NY with me and we can not call the one eight hundred number,

[ariell]

No.

Your T4 doesn't give info. about bankruptcy or receiving social assistance. Option C does. That's what they're looking for, not your income per se.

EDIT: But if you're unable to get Option C, you can submit a letter saying why.

[NYCtoNB]

No.

Your T4 doesn't give info. about bankruptcy or receiving social assistance. Option C does. That's what they're looking for, not your income per se.

EDIT: But if you're unable to get Option C, you can submit a letter saying why.

thank you

[rjessome]

Go to the CRA website.  You should be able to find a normal number to call rather than the toll free number.

[NYCtoNB]

Go to the CRA website.  You should be able to find a normal number to call rather than the toll free number.

that didn't even occur to us, thank you so much. it is just known as the option c printout yes?  i hope i can find it

[im-sponsoring]

Thanks! I think I read the kit a zillion times and each time I read that part I assumed they are talking about having a co-signer. Thanks a lot for your help! This is a great forum!

[toby]

Whoopi83: Are you sure about your answer? Document checklist IMM5491 (for sponsoring a spouse) does not mention any IMM3900. Since I haven't quite submitted our application, now's the time to double check.

NYCtoNB: Join SKYPE, and put $10 in SKYPE OUT, and you can call any 1-800 number in North America free.

[toby]

Whoopi  -- oops!!!  IMM3900 is the guide, not a part of the application.  Sorry for the confusion.

[kay77]

Hi There,

I am now on the last bit of putting all my supporting documents together and have now come back to 17,18 and 19 in !MM 5491.

I have written a letter as to why I will not be submitting a Option C Printout, which so far reads as follows:

Explanation of No “Option C Printout”
With reference to the supporting documents section in the document checklist (IMM 5491), I have not provided an “Option C Printout” as I have been living abroad for approximately 16 years and not a resident for taxation purposes.

Is the above a sufficient explanation as to why I will not be providing an Option C Printout.

Also, I have been trying to get back in touch with my employers in UAE and have not had any luck. I tried also to get statements from my bank (the account was closed) and have not been successful. So I dont have anything to prove the amount of income I earned overseas for the last 12 months.

What I do have though is my spouse's employment contract in Canada which is quite a bit more than the required minimum income for us.

So the next question is, should I also try and see if I can get a Canadian employment offer while I am still overseas or is my husband's contract enough to get us through the minimum income requirement?

Thanks in Advance....

[im-sponsoring]

I would explain the situation. If you do not have any children, then you are exempt from the minimum necessary income. But I would include the explanation you wrote.

Only thing is that you have to prove that you are returning to Canada once your husband gets approved. Having a job offer is that kind of proof. Another could be any indication that you severed your ties to the other country (i.e. closing bank accounts, selling properties, etc) They provide examples in the guide.

Hope this helps. We are working towards completing the Appendix A requirements for the Middle East. Its a bit complicated as my husband is Jordanian and Lebanese but resides in Saudi Arabia! Im confused about the civil status documents needed as it states that if you are a resident of Jordan and Lebanon then you have to provide extra papers. He is not a resident of these countries. Im not sure if he needs them or not. Its a bit stressfull if you ask me!