Super Visa Income With a Spouse on a Work Permit

If your own income falls short of the super visa requirement, your spouse or common-law partner may be able to help. They can co-sign the application and combine their income with yours. Here is how it works, including when the spouse is on a work permit.

Who can co-sign

The host's spouse or common-law partner can co-sign the invitation and have their income counted alongside the host's. The two incomes are added together and measured against the threshold for the family size.

A common-law partner generally means a partner you have lived with in a marriage-like relationship for at least one year. You will need to show evidence of the relationship, not just the income.

Income on a work permit

A spouse who works in Canada on a valid work permit can have their income counted. The income needs to be real, current, and provable — the same standard applied to any income on the application.

• The work permit should be valid and the employment ongoing.
• The income should appear on tax records where possible.
• Recent pay records help show the income is current, not just historical.

Documents you need

1. Proof of the relationship — marriage certificate, or evidence of a common-law relationship.
2. Notices of Assessment for both the host and the co-signing spouse.
3. Recent pay records or employment letters showing current income.
4. A copy of the spouse's work permit, if their income comes from working in Canada.

Check your combined income

Add both incomes together and compare them to the threshold for your family size with the income calculator. Confirm the current LICO figures on canada.ca before you submit.