How to avoid having your Sponsorship Application returned
(3-4 min estimated read time)
Let’s talk about one of the most frustrating moments in immigration paperwork:
You gather everything. You fill out the forms. You double-check each document. Then weeks later, sometimes even two months, you hear back from IRCC. And your entire Sponsorship Application has been returned.
No approval. No progress. Just lost time.
I’ve seen this happen often, especially with clients who tried to submit their application on their own. They spent hours researching online, watching tutorials, and reviewing forum threads. But still, something slipped through the cracks. And IRCC doesn’t explain much, they just send it back, and you’re left to figure out what went wrong.
Why Are Sponsorship Applications Returned?
The frustrating part is that in most cases, it’s not because someone doesn’t qualify.
It’s usually because of a technical detail. A missing signature, an outdated form, or a misunderstanding about what IRCC expects.
Here are some of the most common reasons I see:
Incomplete IMM Forms
This is a big one. The main forms in the PR portal must be filled out completely and accurately. Leaving fields blank is a common mistake that can cause your application to be returned. If a question does not apply to you, write “N/A” instead of leaving it empty. Missing or incorrect information can lead to delays—or worse, your entire application being returned.
Example: Family Information Form – A Common Pitfall
Many applicants make mistakes on the IMM 5645 Family Information form. You must list all your children, even if:
- They are already Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- They are not accompanying you to Canada
- They are children from a previous relationship
Failing to declare family members can be considered misrepresentation, which can have serious consequences.
Accompanying vs. Non-Accompanying: Common Confusion
This distinction confuses many applicants:
- Accompanying means the person is applying for permanent residence with you as part of the same application package.
- Non-accompanying means the person is not applying with you, even if they are your spouse or child.
Example: A Canadian or PR family member is non-accompanying, and is not included as an applicant. Including the wrong family members as accompanying can delay your file from being processed.
Missing Police Certificates
Police certificates are mandatory for:
- Every country where you have lived for 6 months or more since the age of 18
- All family members 18 years and older who are included in the PR application (e.g., dependent children, spouse, etc.)
If even one required police certificate is missing or does not meet IRCC’s requirements, your application can be delayed or refused.
Incomplete Document Checklist
The document checklist is one of the most critical components of your sponsorship application. It outlines all the items that must be included for your application to be considered complete. IRCC treats these items as mandatory—missing even a single required document can result in your application being returned without processing.
It’s important to note that the type of checklist you need to use can differ depending on the category of your sponsorship application. For example:
- Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class uses a different checklist than
- Family Class (outland), which in turn differs from
- Parent/Grandparent sponsorship or dependent child sponsorship.
Using the wrong checklist—or failing to follow the correct one precisely—can cause significant delays or lead to a returned application.
Example: If you were previously married, IRCC will require a divorce certificate to prove the previous marriage has legally ended. If this document is missing from your application, IRCC will consider the file incomplete, even if every other item is correct.
Key takeaway: Always download the latest, correct document checklist for your sponsorship category from IRCC’s website and ensure every item is included before submission.
How to Avoid Having Your File Returned
Here’s what we ensure at Northia:
- Check every field
Don’t leave blanks unless the form tells you to. If something doesn’t apply, write “N/A.” It shows that you didn’t miss it, you answered it intentionally. - Know who should be listed and how
Include everyone: children, previous spouses (if required), and non-accompanying members. Even if they’re not part of the actual move, they still matter to IRCC. - Use the document checklist like a boarding pass
Seriously. Print it, highlight it, check it twice. If something’s missing, your file doesn’t fly. - Get your police certificates early
They take time. Don’t wait until everything else is done. Delays with this one piece can push your whole process back by months. - And most importantly: if you’re not sure, ask.
It’s better to double-check now than to have IRCC reject your file later.
Bringing It to Northia
A lot of people come to me after their application was returned. They’re overwhelmed, frustrated, and unsure of what went wrong. I walk through everything with them, form by form, document by document, and we rebuild the application properly from the ground up.
Whether it’s your first try or your third, I can help make sure your file is complete, accurate, and submitted the right way. So it doesn’t get returned again.
Ready to get started? Book your appointment.
