Preparing for a Spousal Sponsorship Interview: Tips and Advice

If you’re planning to sponsor your spouse or common-law partner for permanent residency in Canada, you may be required to attend an interview with an immigration officer.

The interview is an opportunity for the officer to verify the information you provided in your spousal sponsorship application, as well as to assess the genuineness of your relationship.

Here are some tips and advice to help you prepare for your spousal sponsorship interview:

Review Your Application and Gather Supporting Documents

Before the interview, review your spousal sponsorship application and ensure that all the information you provided is accurate and up-to-date. Also, gather all the supporting documents that you submitted with your application, such as photographs, letters, and evidence of your communication with your spouse.

Understand the Purpose of the Interview

The purpose of the spousal sponsorship interview is to assess the genuineness of your relationship with your spouse. The immigration officer will ask you questions about your relationship history, your day-to-day life, your future plans, and more. The officer will also ask your spouse similar questions during a separate interview.

Be Honest and Consistent in Your Answers

During the interview, it’s important to be honest and consistent in your answers. Don’t exaggerate or downplay the facts of your relationship, and don’t provide conflicting information. If you’re not sure about a particular question, ask the officer to clarify it.

Dress Appropriately and Arrive Early

On the day of the interview, dress appropriately and arrive at the interview location early. Dressing appropriately means dressing professionally, as if you were attending a job interview. Arriving early will give you time to go through security, find the interview room, and relax before the interview begins.

Types of Questions that You May be Asked

During the interview, the immigration officer may ask you and your spouse questions such as:

• How did you meet?
• When did you start dating?
• When did you get married?
• Who proposed to whom?
• What do you like about each other?
• What are your shared interests?
• What are your future plans as a couple?
• How often do you communicate with each other?
• Have you met each other’s families?
• Have you lived together? If so, for how long?
• What did you do together during your last visit?

The Consequences of a Poorly Conducted Interview

If the immigration officer determines that your relationship is not genuine, your spousal sponsorship application may be refused. This could have serious consequences, such as:

• Your spouse may not be allowed to enter Canada as a visitor or immigrant.
• Your spouse may be issued a removal order and be required to leave Canada.
• You may be barred from sponsoring your spouse in the future.
  
  

That’s why it’s important to take the spousal sponsorship interview seriously and to prepare for it in advance. Consider hiring a spousal sponsorship lawyer who can guide you through the interview process and help you avoid costly mistakes.