Last Updated On 13 March 2023, 11:01 AM EDT (Toronto Time)
As per new Immigration levels plan 2023-2025, Canada is aiming to reunite more than 240,000 couples via spousal sponsorship.
IRCC has service standard of processing 80% of the spousal sponsorship applications within 12 months.
However, IRCC has not yet recovered from pandemic backlog completely. The current processing time for inland spousal sponsorship is 13 months and for outland it is still 16 months.
Spousal sponsorship is designed to reunite couples allowing them to live together permanently in Canada.
Furthermore, there is no education or language proficiency requirement for spouses.
However, the application needs to be genuine and applicant must present all the documentation accurately to prove it so.
Although, all the applicants proceed cautiously, but still many get refusal due to one reason or another.
This article delves into 10 common refusal reasons that can be avoided to ensure that at least application is not rejected due to one of these.
1. Inadmissibility
Applicants who are found to be inadmissible due to criminal or medical reasons can have their sponsorship application refused.
For e.g., if the spouse have had a DUI (Driving Under Influence) conviction in their home country, then they might be considered criminally inadmissible.
You can read more on these here
2. Lack of Genuine Relationship
The application may be denied if the immigration officer feels that the connection between the sponsor and the sponsored spouse is not real or was entered into for immigration purposes.
Ironically, many spousal sponsorship applications get rejected because their application fails to establish a genuine relationship.
As a result, they have to then appeal the refusal which can take some time to get through. Long appeal durations have also taken toll onto the breakdown of relationship for many families.
So, it is always advisable to submit your application upfront with full strength.
3. Misrepresentation
The application may be declined if the sponsor or sponsored spouse gives incorrect information or misrepresents oneself throughout the application procedure.
Lying or sending false information or documents to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is a severe offence.
Furthermore, some applicants unknowingly may provide incorrect date or just an estimated date. If IRCC finds out that it is incorrect, then that applicant falls under misrepresentation.
Even if your unauthorized agent or consultant fills out incorrect information due to a clerical error, then also applicants are considered to be misrepresenting on their application.
4. Insufficient supporting documents
Failure to provide sufficient or suitable supporting documentation, such as marriage certificates, pictures, and shared financial records, might result in a denial.
Additionally, even a slight doubt of forged document (even if they are original) due to inconsistencies can result in refusal of spousal sponsorship.
Always remember, onus is on the applicants to prove that their relationship is genuine by providing strong paperwork which is consistent with each other.
5. Unsatisfactory Financial support
The sponsor must show that they have enough money to support their spouse once they arrive in Canada.
If they do not give appropriate financial support proofs, the application may be denied.
This can be in the form of pay stubs or balance in the saving account.
Always remember sponsoring spouse has 3 years of financial obligation and immigration officer do assess the financial situation of the sponsor.
6. Providing Inconsistent Answers in Interview
Immigration officer may call some sponsored spouses for an interview to clear out the doubts in application or just to establish if relationship is genuine.
This is a good chance for the sponsored spouse to satisfy the officer by provided correct and accurate answers.
Remember lies are always caught based on the answers that you provide or may result in inconsistencies.
In interviews, officer expects you to know almost all the details of your spouse including important dates and background.
7. Not Declaring all the dependents
It is important to declare all the dependents on the application. Furthermore, always declare your non-accompanying family members on family information form accurately.
The application may be denied if the sponsor fails to declare all of their dependents in their application or if their financial assistance is judged insufficient for all dependents.
8. Proof of Residency
The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada. Furthermore, they should be residing in Canada to submit a sponsorship application.
If they are unable to show adequate proof of residency, their application could be refused.
9. Previous Sponsorship Defaults
If a sponsor has previously failed to fulfil a sponsorship commitment, they may be judged ineligible to sponsor again.
Furthermore, the spouse is not be able to sponsor their partner, if previous sponsorship undertaking has not yet ended.
10. Incomplete Application
Always remember that an application can also be refused if the application form is incomplete or if the required fees are not paid, or if sufficient information is not provided.
Immigration officer always have the discretion of refusing an application or they may ask for additional documents.
So, submit your application with caution ensuring you are not leaving out any information.
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