Moving back to Canada, submitting proof of eligability

[tink23]

I have been living in Dominican Republic for the past 2 years... I will be staying one more year before moving back to Canada. In summer 2012 before I move back to Canada I will get married with my boyfriend and submit the PR application to Mississauga upon my return. The problem lies in my assets. For those of you who don´t know, Dominican Republic is a developing country and wages here are quite low (considered below poverty line in Canada). Right before moving to DR I was a university student for 5 years. So even though I don´t have debt, I also have no savings as my salary in DR allows me to live month by month and not to really save money of any substance. So, I will be living with my parents upon my return. When my husband gets PR in Canada we will be living with my parents until we´re able to save some money and get on our feet. When I submit the application I will just have moved back to Canada and I most likely will not have a job, YET. So to prove that I am able to support my husband when we submit the PR app, I will have a letter written from my parents saying that we will be living with them... but what else can I show that proves that I am capable... I can show my 2 university degrees proving I have credentials (I´m a teacher and am also a member of the Ontario College of Teachers in good standing), I can show a letter from my employer here in DR proving that I have been working here as a teacher for the past 3 years (and therefore am a capable worker), I can show my previous employment in Canada, even though most of it is summer work as I was a full time university student, which can prove that never have I been without work, that I am a capable person... will a letter from my parents saying that my husband and I will be living with them, and then these other things I have just listed be sufficient for me to be approved as sponsor and that my husband will not go on any kind of social assistance during my time of being responsible for him? I really dont want to have to wait 1 or 2 months to submit the application for PR upon my return to Canada because the Dominican visa office runs at about 12 months (it seems) for PR to be granted and I would like to submit it within a week or 2 of my return... but if I have to I will wait until I have employment....

Looking for your thoughts and/or advice.

Thanks,

Tink

[CharlieD10]

Remember that spousal applications can only be denied for a few financial reasons under section A39:

1. Receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability
2. Being an undischarged bankrupt
3. Failing to provide proof that the applicant is willing and able to support themselves and arrangements other than depending on social assistance have not been made for their welfare.

There have been cases of students still attending university and not yet working or working only part-time being approved to sponsor their spouses, so as you are already a qualified teacher, it shouldn't be an issue for you.

As much as possible, show CIC how you plan to support yourselves and provide the necessities of life.  If the roof over your heads is going to come from relatives, have those relatives write a letter explaining this.  The letter from your employer in Dom Rep might also prove useful.

Have you been filing taxes in Canada?  If you will have little or no information on your Option C, be prepared to show bank statements for evidence of savings or pay slips for the past 12 months from your employer or whatever is given to show if your Dom Rep employer paid taxes on your behalf.

In a case like this, you can also show what your husband will be doing to earn his living when he comes to Canada, so proof of his certifications or qualifications if he has any will be useful too.  If he is not already fluent in English or French, you may want to consider him taking classes to improve his command of these.

The chances are small you can be denied on financial grounds, as I said before, but it doesn't hurt to circumvent any doubts about your ability to support yourself and your spouse when he arrives.

[tink23]

Hi CharlieD.
Thank you for your reply. I have been filing taxes in Canada, however, because my pay is so low here in DR it doesn't really do anything.. but they have been filed. I don't have taxes taken off in DR because only those that make a certain amount have to pay taxes. Needless to say, majority of the country doesn't pay taxes. So I'm not sure how that works... I won't have much to show for my Canadian bank account except for a few tiny deposits from gst and hst cheques.... so I'm not sure how that will work. My Dominican work is paid direct deposit so I don't get a cheque... and this is DR and so they would probably laugh in your face if u asked for a pay receipt from your work, but I'll see what I can get from the bank. Perhaps they can print off a detailed list of any activity my Dominican bank account has seen...

I will be sure to ask my parents for a letter from them, I will get a letter from my Dominican employer, and also I will get my husband to get letters from his employers. His English is good, but of course it can always improve, so we will see about getting him into an English class to further his English skills even more.

Thanks again. Your response has put me more at ease!

Tink

[CharlieD10]

No problem

As I said, as long as you don't run afoul of any of the reasons listed above, there is little to worry about in being denied as eligible to sponsor your husband.  Since you file your taxes in Canada, you will have an Option C available, and it may be low, but again, it doesn't matter, spouses don't need to meet a minimum income requirement.

[missmini]

hi tink23,
if u have Canadian credit card maybe it's good to show that too
also maybe u have some friends in Canada who work in similar field as u, past employers and they could write u a letter describing ur capabilities, experience, how well u worked together and saying they would recommend u to their company or if they have good network they would include u in those networks to get a job faster; even the people from ur past summer job; at the end it does not matter what kind of job it is, the important is to show u have the minimum to support both financially
also u could start applying already; it shows them that u started searching for a while, maybe u'll even have some interviews when u go back (more proof to show with the application)
the letter from ur parents it's very good; us too, we'll be living with my parents when this is over, my name is also on their lease, i don't know if it makes any difference; some people had this letter notarized, it could b better
don't worry as soon as u arrive in Canada I'm sure u'll find a job while his application is in process and u can update the information all this is an ongoing process; i don't think u need to wait until u find a job
good luck!
PS: u know that u can sponsor him while living with him outside Canada, right? (and wait for the process together) yeah it would b a little more proof to show (re-establishment to Canada etc but for me it's worth the effort)

[tink23]

Yes, I have my resume on the Peel School Board, so I can show that I am on that. And I do have a Canadian credit card, which I use every month, so i can show that as well.
Thanks for the idea!

[scarycemetery]

I'm in the same boat as the poster...these answers were VERY helpful and helped me a lot. Thanks!