I have received a decision made as a sponsor and then at the same time, my wife received AIP. So I took that once you get approved as a sponsor, meaning that you are actually qualified to sponsor, AIP is then granted to the applicant. This is speaking from experience and to be honest makes the most sense. The applicant would not be able to qualify for PR sponsorship (AIP) if the sponsor is not qualified in the first place. So how can the applicant receive AIP if the sponsor did not qualify, in the first place. What do you think (AIP) means Approved in "Principle". To me, Approved in Principle basically saying yes, your spouse qualified to be a sponsored PR since the spouse is approved as a sponsor, BUT we need to verify all the applicant's info, documents, medical, police reports etc first and then make a decision on your spouse. Once my wife gotten AIP, I was shut out on the inquiry on my wife's application. Prior to AIP, I was able to determine the status of the application until AIP was issued. IRCC would not speak to me as a sponsor but only to my wife as an applicant. The focus at that point was on the applicant. I have received a DM as a sponsor in Feb and my wife also received her AIP in Feb, same time, same day followed by a DM on her application 1.5 month later. During the 1.5 month after AIP, IRCC was pretty much examining the applicant's side of the process. This is where COPR is pretty much made, waiting inland appointment to be signed in person, 3 month later after DM. As I said earlier, I was speaking from experience and my interpretation and understanding of AIP process.