If your Family sponsorship application is refused by Visa officer outside Canada or Immigration officer inside Canada, you have a right to appeal the decision. The sponsorship appeal is made to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD).The can only be made by the main applicant to the sponsorship application who is a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen and his application is refused.

There is no right to appeal if the appeal is rejected due the serious criminality of the person being sponsored.

You have 30 days after receiving the refusal letter from the authorities, to appeal to the IAD. All you need to submit is:

• A completed Notice of Appeal form.

• A copy of the IRCC refusal letter sent to the person you sponsored.

Usually all Immigration appeals are open to the public. Information used in your appeal is treated as public information and the decision may also be published. Unless confidentiality orders is obtained a copy of your case can be given to public and the media on request.

If your appeal is allowed:

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will resume processing the permanent resident visa application.
• You can contact IRCC to check the status of your sponsorship application.

If your appeal is dismissed:

• The decision by IRCC to refuse the permanent resident visa application remains the same. Your appeal is closed at the IAD. You may wish to seek legal advice.
• Appealing to the Federal Court.
• Either you or Minister’s Counsel may apply to the Federal Court of Canada for leave, or permission, for judicial review of any IAD decision. The Federal Court of Canada will either dismiss the application or return the case to the IAD for re-hearing.