sponsoring my spouse while outside Canada

[dubaigirl17]

Hi,

I'm a Canadian citizen who has been a non-resident for the last 5years. While outside Canada I met and married my spouse who is an American citizen. He sponsored me to the U.S. and I am currently awaiting my Green Card.

We have now decided that life would be much better for us in Canada rather than the States. I am now considering to sponsor him under Family Class.

Is it required for me to have a minimum income to sponsor him to Canada? As it stands right now I am not eligible to work in the States because I have not yet received my Social Security Number. He is the one who is working and supporting me.

Can I start the immigration process in Canada to sponsor my spouse even though I don't have a job or income or should I wait until I get employment in the United States. Are spouses exempt from the minimum income requirements under Family Class Sponsorship??

Thanks

 

[Leon]

Spouses are exempt from the minimum income requirements. The only extra requirement for starting sponsorship from outside Canada is that you show that you are planning to move to Canada when he gets his PR. Write something about what you plan to do when you get to Canada, where you will live etc. Having a job offer, being accepted to college will help. Having arranged housing will help, even if it's just your mom's basement. Having letters from people who know of your plans and are willing to support your move will help.

 

[RobsLuv]

Spousal sponsorships are exempt from minimum income requirements, but you should be able to demonstrate that you will be able to meet the financial obligation of your undertaking (to provide for the basic necessities of life for your sponsored family member) by showing you have a job. That said, a job in the States won't cut it - because you won't have that job when you move back to Canada. As a Canadian citizen living outside of Canada, you have to provide proof of your intent to resettle in Canada with the PR application - so my suggestion would be that you start applying for jobs in Canada and then, once you secure something, you'll be able to provide a copy of the job offer as your proof of intent to resettle - and to be able to satisfy the obligations of your undertaking.

 

[YorkFactory]

Spousal sponsorships are exempt from minimum income requirements, but you should be able to demonstrate that you will be able to meet the financial obligation of your undertaking (to provide for the basic necessities of life for your sponsored family member) by showing you have a job. That said, a job in the States won't cut it - because you won't have that job when you move back to Canada. As a Canadian citizen living outside of Canada, you have to provide proof of your intent to resettle in Canada with the PR application - so my suggestion would be that you start applying for jobs in Canada and then, once you secure something, you'll be able to provide a copy of the job offer as your proof of intent to resettle - and to be able to satisfy the obligations of your undertaking.

You don't need to have a job lined up as long as you can show concrete plans to move to Canada once the PR application is approved and the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident.