Canada Spousal Sponsorship Appeals and Refusals

To appeal your sponsorship application refusal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD), you must follow several steps, such as:

• File Your Notice of Appeal – Complete a Notice of Appeal form and submit this along with a copy of the refusal letter sent to your family member.
  
  
• Receive Your Appeal Record – When the IAD receives your Notice of Appeal, it will forward your case to the Minister’s counsel, who will send you an appeal record outlining why your application was refused.
  
  
• Prepare Your Case – You must gather relevant information and documentation to explain why your spouse or partner should be reconsidered for spousal visa approval. 
  
  
• Enter the Early Resolution Process – This informal process allows you to present additional information that may allow your appeal to get resolved without a formal hearing.
  
  
• Get Your Hearing Date – In the event that your case cannot be resolved in the Early Resolution Process, you will receive a hearing date and a Notice to Appear.
  
  
• Gather Your Information – You must provide new corroborative documents and a list of witnesses to the Minister’s counsel 20 days before the hearing.
  
  
• Attend Your Hearing – You will be required to answer questions presented by the Minister’s Counsel regarding your appeal. Your witnesses will be called to testify, and you will be expected to make closing arguments.