Questions and Answers for Spousal Sponsorship
In this article, I will address questions and answers for spousal sponsorship in order for you to further understand what a spousal sponsorship entails. A spousal sponsorship is intended for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who wish to sponsor their spouse to come to Canada. It was created to give Canadian citizens and permanent residents an opportunity to finally be united with their spouses as it is said that individuals live a better life when they are united with their families. If you feel as though you would be eligible to apply for a spousal sponsorship, I suggest you read our article on “How Can I Sponsor my Spouse” before reading this question and answer article. This article is intended to clarify any misunderstanding or confusion with regards to a spousal sponsorship.
Q: When is the appropriate time to submit my police certificates for my spousal sponsorship application?
A: Immigration has made changes with regards to police certificates and exactly when is the appropriate time to submit them. Should you already have your police certificates on hand, you may submit them with your application. However, if you have not yet completed your police certificates you may submit them when Immigration requests them from you. This is usually requested when the application is being processed and Immigration will send you a communication to notify you, either by e-mail or mail, depending on if you have an online account or not.
Q: What if I have applied for my spousal application using the old application package; what should I do for my medical examination?
A: If you have submitted your application on or after February 1 of this year, you will need to submit your application using the new application package. Unfortunately, Immigration will no longer accept the old application package after January 31 of this year. Additionally, once you have submitted the new application package, Immigration will notify you to conduct your medical examination. They will send you a communication either by e-mail or mail, depending on if you have an online account or not.
Q: When I immigrate to Canada, which family members can come with me?
A: You may only bring family members with you to Canada if you have added them onto your application for permanent residence as dependents. These family members include your spouse or common-law partner; your dependent child; your spouse or common-law partner’s dependent child; and/or a dependent child of a dependent child. Furthermore, you may not bring specific family members to Canada. These restricted family members are your parents; your grandparents; your brother or sister; your uncle or aunt; your niece or nephew; and/or any other relatives. For these restricted family members, you will have to apply for a separate sponsorship.
Q: How will I know if IRCC has received my application?
A: IRCC will send you an acknowledgement that they have received your application either by letter or by e-mail with your application number. This will be sent once the application has its processing. In other words, you will not receive an acknowledgement until IRCC has received, opened and checked that your application is complete. However, it is important to note that there may be a delay between the day that they receive your application to the day that they actually open and review it.
Q: What does it mean if I get my application returned to me?
A: Your application may be returned to you for several different reasons, some of which may be because the application is incomplete; the government fees are missing; and/or it is received after a the program is paused, closed or a cap is reached. IRCC will communicate the reasons for why your application is returned back to you through a communication by mail or e-mail. If you want to request more information, you may fill out an IRCC Web Form and make an enquiry.
Q: If I withdraw my spousal sponsorship, will I get a refund?
A: Whether or not you will get a refund entirely depends on where the application is in the process. For instance, if IRCC has not started the sponsor’s application, then you will receive all your fees back. If IRCC has started the sponsor’s application, then you will not get the $75 CDN sponsorship fee back. However, you will get all the other fees back. If IRCC has finished processing the sponsor’s application, but have not yet started processing the permanent residence application for the sponsored person, then you will not get the $75 CDN sponsorship fee back. However, you will get all the other fees back. If IRCC has finished processing the sponsor’s application and started the permanent residence application for the sponsored person, then you will get the Right of Permanent Residence Fee back ($490 CDN) if applicable. In contrast, if by chance, your application was refused, then unfortunately you will not receive any fees back.
Contact Akrami & Associates
Should you have any further questions or feel confused or unclear about how to apply for a spousal sponsorship, it is important to talk about any questions you may have and discuss your concerns. By talking to immigration professionals about your concerns, this will ease your worries and assist with the application process. Many immigration applications are difficult to pursue on your own, if you are unfamiliar, and it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help before attempting to apply. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients gain permanent residence through a spousal sponsorship and they are now happily living in Canada with their spouse. If you believe that you may be eligible for a spousal sponsorship, please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 for more information or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advise.
With Akrami & Associates there is always a way!!