Have you ever wondered what goes through a Canadian Immigration Officer’s mind when they are assessing a spousal sponsorship application? In this episode I am joined by my good friend and colleague Billie Young as we walk you through a somewhat outlandish case study in order to illustrate the essential do’s and don’ts of spousal sponsorship.
In this episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast, I play the role of Immigration Lawyer (Good Cop) and Billie Young plays the role of….. well, herself I guess (x-immigration officer / Bad Cop) as we go through a somewhat over-the-top case scenario of a Canadian man who is sponsoring his true love from the United Kingdom.
Billie and I had a lot of fun doing this Podcast as we debated the genuineness of this fictitious fact pattern. I attempted to use every ounce of my advocacy skills to convince Officer Young to approve the application. However, as the facts of their story slowly unveiled, it became increasingly difficult for me to win her over and convince her that this application was legit.
After a review of the immediate facts from their application, Officer Young decides she needs more information, so she sends a CBSA officer (in-land immigration enforcement) to the happy couple’s home to do a “bed check“. What the officer found was shocking! What you’ll learn about inland investigations will also be enlightening.
[NOTE: please remember this is all just a concoction of our imaginations. This is NOT the Border Security reality show on the National Geographic Channel.]
I did my best to draw out the positives of their relationship while minimizing the negatives; however, when Officer Young decided to call the couple in for an immigration interview, I really had my work cut out for me.
If you want to find out Officer Young’s final decision, you are just going to have to listen!
In order to make it worth your while, we include at the end of the podcast, our Top 5 Tips for Strengthening Your Spousal Sponsorship Application.
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You can read additional notes for this episode, [spoiler]
PODCAST SPOUSAL SPONSORSHIP CASE SCENARIO
Background Information
Sponsor Robert is a Canadian citizen male age 55
Applicant Debra is a citizen of the UK female age 30
Met online through dating website May 2015
First time they met in person November 2015 and were married same month in the UK.
Debra was unemployed in the UK and minimal savings.
Robert – President of XYZ Fabrication
Debra has been refused entry into Canada as a non genuine visitor on a previous occasion.
Are now interested in submitting an application from within Canada under the SCLPC
Supporting Factors.
joint bank account opened at TD Canada Trust bank. Statement provided is from December 2015 to present and lists both Robert and Debra’s name.
Utility bills are in the name of both Robert and Debra
The residential home is owned by Robert.
Statement of coverage from Alberta Health Care is addressed to Robert and provides coverage to Debra as a dependent.
Robert’s adult children from previous marriage are aware of his new relationship.
Both Robert and Debra share same religious beliefs (Christian)
Both are fluent in English.
Factors weighing negatively not supporting bona fide marriage:
do not share a bed together. Debra stays upstairs in her own room while sponsor has his own room on the main floor.
during the interview, there were no displays of affection toward each other, and this was also noted by lack of photos.
they do not have any children together and no plans for future family given the age of sponsor.
Over 20 years age difference
only two photos’ provided at interview and they were not of Debra and Robert together.
No formal engagement ceremony, family and friends of neither the Debra nor Robert attending the wedding.
the relationship and recent marriage has been kept a secret from the majority of their family and friends. Is has not been publicly declared and has been kept from friends and family only children of sponsor know.
there are no wills or beneficiary statements for either Debra or Robert for each other.
Factors concerning couples credibility that would need to be explained at interview possibly:
both Robert and Debra said that they decided to get married so it would be easier to get across the border since Debra was refused entry previously. They were married less than a month later.
-was not truthful in answering border officers questions when entering Canada.
also Debra stated in the interview that as far as the family knows she is Robert’s caregiver [except her children, they know the truth about their relationship].
Debra has been reported for working without authorization by CBSA, and was advised by CBSA prior to entering Canada the requirements needed to be allowed to work in Canada.
The application for permanent residence supported Debra’s credentials as a personal care attendant but limited documentation was provided supporting her relationship to the sponsor.
also the Debra’s APR submissions went into great detail providing additional information about her educational credentials and experience as a personal care attendant and again very little information describing her relationship to Robert, her spouse.
during the interview, Debra was more upset about not being able to work in Canada at the present time, and possibly not being able to go home and visit because she would not have the money. When asked what would happen if application was refused calmly replied would move back home with her parents. When Robert was asked what he would do if the application was refused, he too replied that he was not sure
Applicants’ Opportunity to respond to concerns about relationship (after interview)
Explain lack of photos’: was because more recent photos’ of the two of them together are all boxed up but can provide them. Note: be prepared to provide photos and considerably more information to support relationship not within the application.
Is the age difference a problem: No Robert encourages Debra to go out on her own and exercise, play sports with her friends, because he is not able to keep up. Both do not believe that age is a factor.
Explain why did not answer officers’ questions truthfully when entering Canada: they were both tired, and just wanted to get home.
Explain why their relationship is a secret: they have not wanted to make their relationship public because Debra’s parents would not understand. Robert does not have a lot of close friends and his children were the only individuals he felt important to let know about his new relationship.
Why do you stay in separate rooms: Debra has always slept alone but they are still intimate.
Top 5 Things to Strengthen your spousal sponsorship application:
- Include lots of supporting documents
- Joint bank account
- Beneficiary of employment benefits
- Beneficiary on life insurance policy
- Joint lease
- Joint ownership in a home
- Include lots of photos
- IRCC may say photos can be altered; however, hard to fake different hair styles and a series of photos over a large period of time
- Trips taken together
- Make sure photos are of both people
- Get to know each other’s family and friends
- Have them provide reference letters confirming they know both of you and that you are a genuine and loving couple
- Explain away any problem areas and how they are not a problem in your relationship
- Age
- Religious/ Cultural Background
- Different language
- Immigration incentive to getting married
- Don’t rush off and file your application until you have a track record within your relationship
- If met online and got married shortly after first in person meeting, ensure multiple in-person meetings before rush off to file application
- Don’t blindly collect all of your supporting documents all within the week prior to submitting your application (i.e., wills, beneficiary on life insurance etc.)
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