Expiring Passport while pending claim but applying for Spousal Sponsorship in 2 weeks

[Ak231]

My husband applied for refugee, hasn't gotten hearing date yet but since we recently got married, we are going to apply for spousal sponsorship (I am PR) in 2-3 weeks (waiting for PCC). Issue is his passport is expiring 2nd week of March 2026. Assuming we get the AOR before that, what do we do with the expiring passport with him being a refugee claimant? Do we just renew it but would that cause any issue when IRB founds out? Lawyer said we don't want to take refugee back until we get eligibility passed.

Was anyone ever in a similar kind of situation? Did someone had these two applications running at the same time? Also to expedite the application submission, should we submit with the acknowledgment letter from BLS for PCC and explain that its been applied and we are waiting or wait for PCC before submitting application?

All of this has been very overwhelming and the lawyer isn't giving clear answer on what we will do once we get to the expiration date! PLEASE HELP!

 

[Buletruck]

My husband applied for refugee, hasn't gotten hearing date yet but since we recently got married, we are going to apply for spousal sponsorship in 2-3 weeks (waiting for PCC). Issue is his passport is expiring 2nd week of March 2026. Assuming we get the AOR before that, what do we do with the expiring passport with him being a refugee claimant? Do we just renew it but would that cause any issue when IRB founds out? Lawyer said we dont want to take refugee back until we get eligibility passed.

Was anyone ever in a similar kind of situation? Did someone had these two applications running at the same time? Also to expedite the application submission, should we submit with the acknowledgment letter from BLS for PCC and explain that its been applied and we are waiting or wait for PCC before submitting application?

All of this has been very overwhelming and the lawyer isn't giving clear answer on what we will do once we get to the expiration date! PLEASE HELP!

Not quite sure how your husband plans to sponsor you as he hasn't got status (other than refuge claimant) in Canada. He would either have to be a citizen or PR in order to sponsor you.

 

[Canadian_rainbow]

Not quite sure how your husband plans to sponsor you as he hasn't got status (other than refuge claimant) in Canada. He would either have to be a citizen or PR in order to sponsor you.

Looks like husband did refugee claim but this person got married to him and has pr or citizenship, living in Canada.

 

[Canadian_rainbow]

My husband applied for refugee, hasn't gotten hearing date yet but since we recently got married, we are going to apply for spousal sponsorship in 2-3 weeks (waiting for PCC). Issue is his passport is expiring 2nd week of March 2026. Assuming we get the AOR before that, what do we do with the expiring passport with him being a refugee claimant? Do we just renew it but would that cause any issue when IRB founds out? Lawyer said we dont want to take refugee back until we get eligibility passed.

Was anyone ever in a similar kind of situation? Did someone had these two applications running at the same time? Also to expedite the application submission, should we submit with the acknowledgment letter from BLS for PCC and explain that its been applied and we are waiting or wait for PCC before submitting application?

All of this has been very overwhelming and the lawyer isn't giving clear answer on what we will do once we get to the expiration date! PLEASE HELP!

I don’t know whole answer but I am sure that he should not withdraw his refugee claim. After he got his pr from you he needs to withdraw his claim.

 

[Ak231]

Not quite sure how your husband plans to sponsor you as he hasn't got status (other than refuge claimant) in Canada. He would either have to be a citizen or PR in order to sponsor you.

I have PR. We have been together for over 2 years and has known each other for over 20 years.

 

[ref19to22]

My husband applied for refugee, hasn't gotten hearing date yet but since we recently got married, we are going to apply for spousal sponsorship (I am PR) in 2-3 weeks (waiting for PCC). Issue is his passport is expiring 2nd week of March 2026. Assuming we get the AOR before that, what do we do with the expiring passport with him being a refugee claimant? Do we just renew it but would that cause any issue when IRB founds out? Lawyer said we don't want to take refugee back until we get eligibility passed.

Was anyone ever in a similar kind of situation? Did someone had these two applications running at the same time? Also to expedite the application submission, should we submit with the acknowledgment letter from BLS for PCC and explain that its been applied and we are waiting or wait for PCC before submitting application?

All of this has been very overwhelming and the lawyer isn't giving clear answer on what we will do once we get to the expiration date! PLEASE HELP!

My recommendation is as follows:

- Apply for Spousal Sponsorship ASAP before his passport expires (don't wait for the PCC to apply)
- Submit the BLS PCC acknowledgement with the application and the letter of explanation, then submit the PCC through a webform when you receive it
- Listen to your lawyer and don't withdraw his refugee claim until after he passes eligibility with spousal sponsorship (passport expiration doesn't impact his refugee claim)

Hope this helps!

 

[Ak231]

My recommendation is as follows:

- Apply for Spousal Sponsorship ASAP before his passport expires (don't wait for the PCC to apply)
- Submit the BLS PCC acknowledgement with the application and the letter of explanation, then submit the PCC through a webform when you receive it
- Listen to your lawyer and don't withdraw his refugee claim until after he passes eligibility with spousal sponsorship (passport expiration doesn't impact his refugee claim)

Hope this helps!

Hey! Thank you for response. We are doing exactly this. Just waiting for PCC acknowledgement letter. But I still dont understand what to do with passport expiring. Lawyer said, once we get AOR, apply for passport renewal but HOW? its with CBSA! How does a expired passport affects spousal sponsorship when IRCC knows its with CBSA for ongoing refugee claim?

 

[ref19to22]

Hey! Thank you for response. We are doing exactly this. Just waiting for PCC acknowledgement letter. But I still dont understand what to do with passport expiring. Lawyer said, once we get AOR, apply for passport renewal but HOW? its with CBSA! How does a expired passport affects spousal sponsorship when IRCC knows its with CBSA for ongoing refugee claim?

I think that's a question for your lawyer (how do you apply for passport renewal without having your expired/expiring passport in hand?)

I do not believe the expired passport will impact your spousal sponsorship application if you apply before it expires, and in your letter of explanation for the PCC also explain that your spouse has an ongoing refugee claim and his passport is with CBSA (if you do apply after it expires, if you apply before it expires I don't think you need to provide this explanation).

 

[Ak231]

Sounds good. We should be able to submit application next week so it still gives us 8 weeks before passport expires. Hopefully we get AOR before passport expires.