3. Learn the rules about income guidelines

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

The guidelines don’t usually apply if you’re sponsoring a spouse or partner, or their dependent children.

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, you will also have to complete a Financial Evaluation form.

The minimum necessary income you need to be a sponsor depends on:

• the number of people in Canada who you already have a responsibility to support financially, plus
• the number of people you want to sponsor.

You’re not eligible to sponsor if you’re getting social assistance.   But you can sponsor if you’re getting disability benefits.

Relying on social assistance

Sometimes IRCC will refuse a spouse or partner’s application for permanent residence if they think that the person may need to rely on social assistance in Canada.