Family Class Sponsorship Co-Signing a Sponsorship

Co-signers Co-Signing a Sponsorship

The spouse or common-law partner of the sponsor may co-sign an undertaking to help meet income requirements by pooling resources; however, common-law relationships must have met common-law requirements prior to co-signing . Other family members may not co-sign. Co-signers should not co- sign when financial requirements are not applicable or if the sponsor meets the income test. For further details see: Consequences of co-signing, section 5.26.

Co-signers:

• must sign the undertaking and the Sponsorship Agreement to have their income considered;
• must meet the same requirements and are subject to the same bars as the sponsor
• assume the same obligations as the sponsor and become jointly and severally or solidarily liable if there is default;
• cannot co-sign when sponsorship involves a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner;
• should not co-sign for a child;
• are not permitted for sponsorship in the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class.

Consequences of co-signing

• requirement to support the sponsored members of the family class if the sponsor defaults.
• repayment of social assistance given to the sponsored person and/or family members.
• bar on future sponsorship or support for another undertaking unless the sponsor or co-signer repays the social assistance paid to the sponsored persons and/or family members.

Co-signers are not sponsors

Co-signers may not continue with a sponsorship after the sponsor has withdrawn. If co-signers wish to continue the application in their own right, they must reapply and be assessed individually.

Co-signers do not have a right of appeal against a refused permanent resident visa.