2013-Nov 15: Parent Category – Sponsor’s income

Visa Pak 137 - Clarification about parent Category how to assess Sponsor’s income whether on paid employment or self employed.

Visa Paks

15 November 2013

Operations Support has received a number of queries about how to determine a sponsor’s self-employed or investment income under the Parent Category as described at F4.30.1 Sponsor’s income.

A sponsor must meet the gross minimum income requirement by obtaining personal income from one or any combination of the following:

  • Sustained paid employment;
  • Regular self-employment;
  • Regular investment income.

Note: Gross annual income is an individual’s total personal income before taxes or deductions are taken into account. e.g. rental income before tax, mortgage payments, rates etc.

Personal income must be payment made directly to the sponsor and/or their partner in the form of regular wages or regular drawings (monies withdrawn by an owner or partner’s business for personal use).

All of an individual’s annual personal income must be taken into account, including for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week.

Income received on a commission basis may also be included if that income is determined as sustained/regular income. i.e. the income is received at regular intervals over a period of time (normally on a weekly, fortnightly, monthly basis).
Evidence of salary/wages or drawings may include (but is not limited to) original or certified copies of:

  • Summary of Earnings
  • Personal Tax Summary
  • Individual Tax Return (IR3) Return Acknowledgment
  • Wage Slips
  • Current employment contract
  • Bank statements
  • Documents from other financial institutions

An original or certified copy of a letter from a reliable independent professional (for example a New Zealand chartered accountant) may also be considered as evidence.