Paying Taxes for Sponsorship from outside Canada

[potomac]

I’m a Canadian citizen living abroad applying for permanent residency for my wife.

While visiting Canada, I went to a lawyer to get some documents notarized. When she heard of my situation, she recommended that I begin paying Canadian taxes immediately (which I don’t at present, being a non-resident) as a way to show that I am serious about returning once the approval comes in.

She said that nothing else, like buying Canadian property, will show the government I am serious about returning than by doing this.

Has anyone done this before? Is it effective? And, does this have anything to do with declaring our common-law union under the Cdn Income Tax Act (T-1 “General Individual Income TAx Return”)

I want to have the application with the highest chance of success, so I would do this if it helps out in just the slightest bit of help.

This is a great forum, and I really want to extend my appreciation to any help I can get on this issue. Thank you.

[SettlementOrgMod]

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

We appreciate your feedback and kind words regarding the Settlement.Org Discussion Forum.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a definitive response regarding whether or not you should do as the lawyer suggested.

However, you can find some very helpful information in the IRCC IP 2 Processing Applications to Sponsor Members of the Family Class Operations Manual.

Here are some excerpts,

Canadian citizens residing outside Canada

• may sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent children without dependent children of their own

• must satisfy immigration officials that they will reside in Canada once their spouse, common-law or conjugal partner and dependent children become permanent residents in Canada

• must forward their applications directly to CPC-M, where their plan to return to Canada will be assessed based on documentary evidence and/or interview assistance from the visa office where necessary

and

13.3. Sponsorship by Canadian citizens living abroad

The following applies to Canadian citizens living abroad:

• Canadian citizens who reside abroad may sponsor only their spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or a dependent child who does not have dependent children of their own;

• they must submit their sponsorship application package and fees to the CPC-M in Canada and not to the visa office;

• Canadian citizens who are tourists in a foreign country, even for extended periods,are still residents of Canada;

• Canadian citizens who are long-term workers or students in another country are generally considered residents of that country;

• Canadians who have spent little or no time in Canada may also seek to sponsor. If they have never worked in Canada and do not have the educational or language skills to find employment in Canada, refusal under A39 may be appropriate if arrangements for the care and support of the sponsored person are not satisfactory;

• sponsors must provide evidence that they will reside in Canada after the sponsored persons and their family members become permanent residents.

Evidence that sponsors will reside in Canada may include one or more of the following:

• letter from an employer;
• letter of acceptance to a Canadian educational institution;
• proof of having rented/bought a dwelling in Canada;
• reasonable plans for re-establishing in Canada or severing ties to the other country.

We hope that others who may have gone through a similar process can share their suggestions and comments with you, specifically related to taxes.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

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Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org