My sponsorship has broken down what happens now?

A sponsor is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who has agreed to support you for three to 10 years.
The law says your sponsor must provide for your basic needs. They include food, clothing and housing.
Sometimes a sponsor cannot or will not support you.

What will Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) do if my sponsorship breaks down?

• If you have permanent resident status, CIC will not take away your status. This is the case even if you need to apply for welfare (money from the government for basic needs).

• If you do not yet have permanent resident status, it is more difficult. But you can get help from people who understand. Look under “Who will help me?” at the end of this article.

Can my sponsor make me leave Canada?

No. Your sponsor cannot make you leave Canada. If your sponsor says you must leave Canada because your sponsorship has broken down, this is not true.

Only Canadian immigration authorities can order a person to leave the country.

What will happen to my children?

Sponsorship breakdown does not give your partner the right to keep the children or your property.

Your partner has a legal responsibility to help support the children if you separate or divorce. This is called child support.

Your partner may also have a legal responsibility to support you if you cannot support yourself.

Who will help me?

There are organizations that help newcomers in your situation. Ask your settlement worker who to contact.

To find information and help in your own language, go to Clicklaw at: www.clicklaw.bc.ca/
content/languages.

This article is legal information not legal advice. For more information read booklet: Sponsorship Breakdown. This booklet is available in Korean, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese. Published by the Legal Services Society, 2009. Available at www.familylaw.lss.c.ca/

This Project is made possible through funding from the
Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia