Affidavit Of Support Form Template for Canada

An Affidavit of Support Form is a critical legal document that establishes your financial commitment when sponsoring family members for Canadian permanent residence. This sworn declaration serves as your legally binding promise to provide financial support and basic necessities to your sponsored family member, ensuring they won't need to rely on government social assistance programs during the sponsorship period.

When do you need this document?

You need an Affidavit of Support Form whenever you're sponsoring eligible family members for Canadian permanent residence, including spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, grandparents, or other eligible relatives under the Family Class immigration program. The document is mandatory for most sponsorship applications submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and must be completed by the principal sponsor and any co-sponsors involved in the application. You'll also need this form if you're updating your financial information during an ongoing sponsorship process or if IRCC requests additional financial documentation to assess your sponsorship eligibility.

Key legal considerations

Your Affidavit of Support creates serious legal and financial obligations that can last 3-20 years depending on your relationship to the sponsored person and their age at the time of sponsorship. You become legally responsible for repaying any social assistance benefits your sponsored family member receives during this period, even if your relationship ends or circumstances change. The affidavit must include accurate financial information, including income statements, employment details, and declarations about your ability to meet minimum income requirements set by IRCC. False declarations or misrepresentation can result in serious consequences, including criminal charges, immigration bars, and financial penalties. You should also understand that co-sponsors share equal responsibility for meeting the undertaking obligations, and all parties remain liable even if one sponsor defaults on their commitments.

Legal requirements in Canada

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and its accompanying regulations (IRPR), your Affidavit of Support must meet specific federal requirements and be sworn before a qualified commissioner of oaths, notary public, or other authorized official. The document must demonstrate that you meet the minimum necessary income (MNI) thresholds established by IRCC, which vary based on family size and are updated annually. Provincial Evidence Acts govern the swearing and witnessing procedures, while the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) applies to how personal information in the affidavit is collected and used. You must maintain your financial obligations throughout the entire undertaking period, and your income will be assessed based on the most recent tax year's Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency. If you default on your undertaking, the government can pursue collection through various means, and you may be barred from sponsoring additional family members until all debts are repaid.