Guide 3900 – Sponsor a Member of the Family Class What Happens Next
For more information
Current processing times
In cases of spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children, CIC is committed to issuing visas as quickly as possible.
You must send all documents, forms and fees we need to make a decision about your request.
Check application processing times.
Note: If your case is not routine, we may not be able to process your application within the regular service standards.
Important information
Updating your contact information
During the application process, you must advise us of any change of address or telephone number. You can do this by going to Change of address or by consulting the How to contact CIC section at the end of this guide.
Note: If your personal situation changes (for example change of marital status, birth of a child, or you wish to withdraw your sponsorship, etc.) after you have submitted your application, you must contact us.
Checking application status on line
You can check the status of your application on-line by doing the following:
- Go to Check application status.
- Follow the instructions provided.
Note: Your application status will only appear on-line once the application is received and the initial review by CIC is completed.
To obtain details on how to remove your application status information from the Internet, visit the Help Centre section.
Protecting your information
Your personal information is:
- only available to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) employees who need to see it in order to provide the services to you, and
- not disclosed to anyone else except as permitted under the provisions of the Privacy Act.
For more information. You can obtain additional information on the protection of your data by visiting the Help Centre.
Quality Assurance Program
Our quality assurance program randomly selects applications for a special review. If selected you will be asked to attend an interview with a Citizenship and Immigration official so that we can:
- verify the documentation you submitted is accurate,
- verify that your application has been completed properly.
Note: You will be notified in writing should your application be selected.
Online services
For more information on the programs offered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, visit Immigration and Citizenship.
