I think we're in trouble because we initiated the process too early.
Received a letter from CIC saying they are not satisfied with the sponsor's intent to return to Canada "once PR is granted" and they need proof within 45 days that the sponsor plans to reside in Canada once the PA gets the immigrant visa.
We're currently residing outside Canada. I'm in grad school, scheduled to graduate in January 2019. In the original proof of intent we wrote that once PR is granted, we plan to return to Canada in 2019 and settle there. We included bank accounts, driver's licence copy, proof that husband is listed on his dad's car insurance, a letter from his dad verifying our plans to relocate and offering us a short-term place to stay.
Had no idea how long the process would take and figured if it's granted early, no big deal. What kind of proof are they looking for? We can write another letter stating that the sponsor will return to Canada, and I will finish my studies. He is applying to PhD programs, including some in Canada (start date would be Fall 2018), could this help? His dad has since decided to move across the country, so no short-term place to stay anymore, but we could get affidavits from friends.... We kind of also emptied out the Canadian bank accounts, since that money was more useful to us here
CIC also suggested an option to withdraw the petition - would we lose all the application fees and have to redo the (really expensive) medical exam also?
Advice?