Spousal sponsorship - missed correspondence with CIC

[Peter Rabbit]

I know someone (a Canadian citizen) who sponsored his wife about two years ago.

He mentioned that last August (2011), CIC requested (via email) his wife to provide them with additional information. Again, this March (2012), CIC requested the same additional documents, and gave his wife 60 days to produce them or the file could be closed.
ISSUE: His wife no longer used that email address; thus, she did not see the two emails until this week.

IF the file is closed, what should my friend do? Is it going to be a long process?
Thank you so much, friends!

 

[CharlieD10]

He has to re-apply, i.e. send a new application. All fees have to be paid again.

 

[Peter Rabbit]

Thank you for your reply.
Could they explain what had happened? Could they re-open the file? Could he appeal?

It would take a long time for this couple to go again through the entire process!

Thank you!