Family class sponsorship ?

[Renee Manalang]

Good day!

I have a concern. I have just received my PR which I applied for through the H/C program.
When I started my application, I included my dependents (my wife and three children) in the process. (I hired a representative — a lawyer — who helped me with my application). All of us were required to submit the necessary IMM forms and documents like police clearance, birth certificates, copies of passport. A few months after I had my medical examination/certification, my wife and children also were given medical request for certifications. That was when I learned that each of my dependents had their own UCI. I was happy about it since I know that IRCC was also processing their application. We were then, anticipating the biometric request.

However, when I received my eCOPR through the PR portal, I noticed that my dependents have the “not accompanying” status. It was ok with me that time since as I am already here is Canada, if they will have received the instruction for biometrics, then they can proceed with the process. Yet, my lawyer was telling me that I have to apply for spousal sponsorship.

This is my concern right now. Applying for spousal sponsorship seems to me like new application. The forms that are required are the same imm forms that we have already submitted previously. Going through the requirements for sponsorship, we already have submitted most of necessary forms and documents except the passport and biometrics instructions. I have learned from my lawyer that the ircc payment that was process was only for my application and not my family’s. I am going to pay for their application since it is required. The lawyer recommended I apply for spousal sponsorship and even initiated the application in my PR portal.

I have decided not to hire the services of the lawyer. So, I am unsure what to do right now. I am certain that my family’s application is already in process since they already have their UCI and have already accomplished most of the requirements.

Do I still have to apply for sponsorship for my family? If so, what else should be done so that my wife and children can have their biometrics done? If there is no need to apply for sponsorship since I think IRCC has already processed the family’s application, what should I do to continue with the process and finish all the necessary steps.

I hope you can help me understand what is going on and what needs to be done.
Thank you!

 

[armoured]

Get a copy of your original application. If they were listed as not accompanying, you will have to sponsor them.

No point discussing all the rest until you get that copy and confirm.

 

[armoured]

I have a concern. I have just received my PR which I applied for through the H/C program.

Which program?

That was when I learned that each of my dependents had their own UCI. I was happy about it since I know that IRCC was also processing their application. We were then, anticipating the biometric request.

A UCI# being allocated does not mean they are processing an application. They have simply been allocated an identifying number, which will be used on any interactions with IRCC (visas, etc). Even those who don't apply for anything get one - as a citizen I got one when my spouse applied for a TRV, it seems.

Yet, my lawyer was telling me that I have to apply for spousal sponsorship.

Your lawyer is correct. If they were listed as unaccompanying, they did NOT apply to become PRs. They were examined to make sure that you were eligible to become a PR - some things like criminality and some medical conditions make spouses (you) and parents of underage dependents ineligible.

This is my concern right now. Applying for spousal sponsorship seems to me like new application. The forms that are required are the same imm forms that we have already submitted previously. Going through the requirements for sponsorship, we already have submitted most of necessary forms and documents except the passport and biometrics instructions.

It IS a new application. You must re-do all of the forms. Spouse and children (at least those above a certain age) will have to re-do biometrics. Almost certainly they'll have to re-do medicals (small possibility they won't have to re-do if it's very recent - emphasis on small). The PCCs will need to be done again (although I don't think required for minor children).

I have learned from my lawyer that the ircc payment that was process was only for my application and not my family’s. I am going to pay for their application since it is required. The lawyer recommended I apply for spousal sponsorship and even initiated the application in my PR portal.

You can check how much you paid IRCC and compare against the amounts on IRCC's website.

Note: you need to clarify what you mean by 'lawyer initiated application in PR portal.' Sounds like they just opened a few webpages and some info.

I have decided not to hire the services of the lawyer. So, I am unsure what to do right now. I am certain that my family’s application is already in process since they already have their UCI and have already accomplished most of the requirements.

Your choice. Most spousal/family apps don't need a lawyer. But the fact they 'accomplished the requirements' once before does not mean they are done - most will have to be done over. (Some internal stuff like background/security will be quicker since IRCC may just be checking the work previously done / if anything's changed.)

But you are certain of things that are (almost certainly) not true - so start by reading the instructions yourself.

Do I still have to apply for sponsorship for my family? If so, what else should be done so that my wife and children can have their biometrics done? If there is no need to apply for sponsorship since I think IRCC has already processed the family’s application, what should I do to continue with the process and finish all the necessary steps.

Yes, you need to apply again (unless it turns out they were marked as 'accompanying', which it seems they were not).

Start here: https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/applications/spouse.asp

You do not need to get or arrange biometrics or medicals in advance (before applying). You apply and then IRCC will send instructions to get each of them done.

 

[scylla]

Good day!

I have a concern. I have just received my PR which I applied for through the H/C program.
When I started my application, I included my dependents (my wife and three children) in the process. (I hired a representative — a lawyer — who helped me with my application). All of us were required to submit the necessary IMM forms and documents like police clearance, birth certificates, copies of passport. A few months after I had my medical examination/certification, my wife and children also were given medical request for certifications. That was when I learned that each of my dependents had their own UCI. I was happy about it since I know that IRCC was also processing their application. We were then, anticipating the biometric request.

However, when I received my eCOPR through the PR portal, I noticed that my dependents have the “not accompanying” status. It was ok with me that time since as I am already here is Canada, if they will have received the instruction for biometrics, then they can proceed with the process. Yet, my lawyer was telling me that I have to apply for spousal sponsorship.

This is my concern right now. Applying for spousal sponsorship seems to me like new application. The forms that are required are the same imm forms that we have already submitted previously. Going through the requirements for sponsorship, we already have submitted most of necessary forms and documents except the passport and biometrics instructions. I have learned from my lawyer that the ircc payment that was process was only for my application and not my family’s. I am going to pay for their application since it is required. The lawyer recommended I apply for spousal sponsorship and even initiated the application in my PR portal.

I have decided not to hire the services of the lawyer. So, I am unsure what to do right now. I am certain that my family’s application is already in process since they already have their UCI and have already accomplished most of the requirements.

Do I still have to apply for sponsorship for my family? If so, what else should be done so that my wife and children can have their biometrics done? If there is no need to apply for sponsorship since I think IRCC has already processed the family’s application, what should I do to continue with the process and finish all the necessary steps.

I hope you can help me understand what is going on and what needs to be done.
Thank you!

It depends if your family was included as accompanying or non-accompaying in your application. Without you knowing the details of your application, it won't be possible to answer your questions. Your lawyer will need to tell you if your family members were listed as accompanying or non-accompanying in the application.

If non-accompanying, you need to submit a net new spousal sponsorship application to bring them to Canada.

 

[Renee Manalang]

Thank you for your responses