Family and Spousal Sponsorship
Module 1: Foundations of Family and Spousal Sponsorship (60 minutes)
Introduction and Overview (10 minutes)
- Welcome and instructor introduction.
- Importance of Family and Spousal Sponsorship in Canadian immigration.
- Webinar objectives and agenda.
- Review of relevant legislation and regulations (IRPA, IRPR).
Eligibility Requirements: Sponsor (15 minutes)
- Detailed analysis of sponsor eligibility criteria:
- Residency requirements.
- Financial capacity and undertaking.
- Inadmissibility factors.
- Previous sponsorship limitations.
- Case studies: Assessing sponsor eligibility in various scenarios.
Eligibility Requirements: Applicant (15 minutes)
- Detailed analysis of applicant eligibility criteria:
- Definition of "spouse," "common-law partner," and "conjugal partner."
- Dependent children and other eligible relatives.
- Inadmissibility factors.
- Case studies: Determining applicant eligibility and relationship validity.
Ethical Considerations and CICC Code (10 minutes)
- RCIC's professional obligations in Family and Spousal Sponsorship.
- Avoiding misrepresentation and fraud.
- Duty to assess relationship genuineness (without making judgments).
- Relevant sections of the CICC Code of Professional Conduct.
Q&A (10 minutes)
- Questions related to the foundations of Family and Spousal Sponsorship.
Module 2: Application Process and Online Portals (75 minutes)
Step-by-Step Application Process (20 minutes)
- Detailed breakdown of the Family and Spousal Sponsorship application process:
- Application forms and supporting documents.
- Document checklists and organization.
- Fees and payment methods.
- Submission options (online vs. paper).
- Strategies for efficient application preparation.
IRCC Online Portal: Sponsor Application (25 minutes)
- Live walkthrough of the Sponsor portion of the online application:
- Account creation and navigation.
- Form completion and document uploads.
- Communication with IRCC.
- Addressing common technical issues.
- Best practices for online sponsor applications.
IRCC Online Portal: Applicant Application (20 minutes)
- Live walkthrough of the Applicant portion of the online application:
- Linking the application.
- Form completion and document uploads.
- Providing biometrics and medical exams.
- Responding to IRCC requests.
- Best practices for online applicant applications.
Q&A (10 minutes)
- Questions related to the application process and online portals.
Module 3: Advanced Issues and Case Management (45 minutes)
Assessing Relationship Genuineness (15 minutes)
- Strategies for gathering and presenting evidence of a genuine relationship:
- Social media, communication records, photos.
- Financial co-mingling, shared responsibilities.
- Affidavits and supporting letters.
- Identifying red flags and addressing potential concerns.
- Ethical considerations in genuineness assessment.
Inadmissibility and Overcoming Barriers (10 minutes)
- Common inadmissibility issues in sponsorship cases:
- Criminality, medical inadmissibility.
- Misrepresentation.
- Strategies for addressing inadmissibility:
- Rehabilitation, temporary resident permits.
- Procedural fairness and appeals.
- Case studies: Handling complex inadmissibility situations.
Case Management and Post-Decision Issues (10 minutes)
- Managing client expectations and communication throughout the process.
- Addressing IRCC requests and interviews.
- Post-decision issues: appeals, judicial review.
Final Q&A and Wrap-up (10 minutes)
- Final questions and answers.
- Summary of key takeaways.
- Resources and further learning.