Pay Sponsorship Debt

If you sponsored a spouse or relative to immigrate to Canada and they received social assistance from B.C. during the sponsorship period, you must pay back the amount they received.

You can make a payment:

You'll be mailed a Statement of Account showing how much you owe. If you don’t pay your debt by the due date, collection actions may be taken, including:

  • Notifying Canada Revenue Agency to direct your federal refunds to us so they can be applied to your sponsorship debt
  • Registering a lien against your property or personal belongings
  • Requiring your employer to deduct money from your paycheque
  • Issuing a demand notice to your bank or financial institution to pay money from your account
  • Issuing a Small Claims Action (less than $25,000) or a Supreme Court Action (over $25,000)
  • Filing an order in Small Claims Court or Supreme Court