Sponsorship Appeal Lawyer in Canada

If your family sponsorship application was refused by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), you may be able to appeal the decision to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).

At Ayodele Law, our immigration appeal lawyers represent clients across Canada in challenging unfair sponsorship refusals. We help families overturn negative decisions, prepare persuasive appeal records, and advocate effectively before the IAD — combining compassion, strategy, and deep legal experience in Canadian immigration law.

What is a family sponsorship appeal?

A family sponsorship appeal is a formal legal process that allows a sponsor to challenge IRCC’s refusal of a family member’s permanent residence application. This includes applications for:

• Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner

• Dependent or adopted children

• Parents and grandparents

The Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) has the authority to:

• Review the reasons for refusal

• Hear oral testimony and consider new evidence

• Allow appeals based on humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) grounds even if the applicant is otherwise ineligible

Unlike an initial IRCC decision, an IAD appeal gives you the opportunity to fully present your case before an independent tribunal.

What Evidence Is Considered in a Sponsorship Appeal?

Unlike an initial sponsorship application, a sponsorship appeal allows for new and updated evidence to be presented. This may include updated relationship documentation, sworn affidavits, financial records, communication logs, travel history, and witness testimony.

At the appeal stage, the IAD assesses both the legal sufficiency and credibility of the evidence, placing significant weight on oral testimony and consistency across documents.

Common Reasons Family Sponsorship Applications Are Refused

IRCC most commonly refuses family sponsorship applications due to concerns about relationship genuineness, insufficient evidence, inconsistencies in testimony, or doubts about the sponsor’s ability to meet sponsorship obligations. Refusals may also arise from procedural fairness issues, missing documentation, or misinterpretation of cultural or family circumstances.

Understanding the specific refusal grounds is essential, as the Immigration Appeal Division focuses on whether IRCC’s concerns were reasonable and whether new evidence or testimony addresses them.

Who can appeal a family sponsorship refusal?

You may be eligible to file a sponsorship appeal if:

• ✅ You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

• ✅ You applied to sponsor a spouse, partner, child, parent, or grandparent

• ✅ Your sponsorship application was refused by IRCC

Certain refusals cannot be appealed — for example, those based on serious criminality, misrepresentation, or security concerns. At Ayodele Law, we review your refusal letter, determine whether an IAD appeal is available, and advise if a judicial review in Federal Court is more appropriate.

What Is an ADR Conference in a Sponsorship Appeal?

Some sponsorship appeals may be scheduled for an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) conference instead of a full hearing. ADR is an informal process where a dispute resolution officer explores whether the appeal can be resolved without proceeding to a full hearing.

Successful ADR outcomes can result in the appeal being allowed more quickly, but preparation is critical. Poorly handled ADRs often fail due to inconsistent testimony or incomplete evidence.

How Long Does a Sponsorship Appeal Take?

Sponsorship appeal timelines vary depending on complexity, hearing type, and regional IAD backlogs. Some appeals resolve through ADR within several months, while full hearings may take longer.

Delays are common, but proper preparation can reduce adjournments and improve outcomes. We advise clients early on realistic timelines and procedural expectations.