Approved as a sponsor!

Step 1 completed - Tim has been approved as a sponsor!

I've been counting down the days to Monday 4th July, as that'll be 42 days since our application was received by CIC, which was the processing time listed on the website (it's now dropped to 40 days). However, we got home from work tonight and, while we were preparing to go out to my mum's 60th birthday party, Tim got his approval email.

This is really exciting - I can't believe we're actually moving forward! Although, it does mean that if anything mucks up now, it'll probably be part of my forms :)

The text of the email from CIC is below, in case you're interested...

(Edited to remove our details)

Subject: Citizenship and Immigration Canada – CPCM - Communication to client

CASE PROCESSING CENTRE
CLIENT # [------]
P 0 BOX 6100, STATION A
KIT ID # [------]
MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5A 4H4

28 June 2011

[Tim’s name and address]

This letter refers to the Application to Sponsor a Member of the Family Class you submitted to this office on behalf of [my name].

We are pleased to advise that you have met the requirements for eligibility as a sponsor.  Accordingly the undertaking and the Application for Permanent Residence have been forwarded to the Visa Office in LONDON ENGLAND for further processing.

Effective May 1, 2003, Applications for Permanent Resident must be processed by the visa office responsible for the applicant’s country of nationality, OR the country where the applicant has been lawfully admitted for at least one year, OR in the case of an applicant who is stateless, the country of habitual residence.  Therefore, the visa post identified above was selected on the basis of the information that you provided with respect to your relative(s) home address and the requirements of Immigration Legislation.  However, please be aware that the visa office has the ultimate authority for the processing of this case and does have the right to transfer the file to another visa office if required.

While the Application for Permanent Residence has been found to meet minimum requirements for completeness under the Immigration Act, the visa office may, where necessary, request additional documents and information from your relative(s). Should you need to contact the visa office or submit additional information during the processing of the Application for Permanent Residence for your relative(s), you may contact the visa office by fax*, e-mail*, or in writing as follows:

THE CANADIAN HIGH COMMISSION
IMMIGRATION SECTION
38 GROSVENOR ST. LONDON W1K 4AA
ENGLAND U.K.

* Current e-mail and fax contact information for all visa posts are available at: www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/missions.asp

This letter confirms receipt of the processing fee. It is also an outline of the basic requirements of the undertaking that you have signed as a sponsor and your formal obligations under that agreement.  Please retain this letter for your personal records. THIS IS THE ONLY COPY THAT WILL BE ISSUED TO YOU.

As a sponsor you have made a commitment to provide for the lodging, care and support of your relative(s) in the event that they are unable or unwilling to support themselves.

Your obligations for your relative(s) will begin the day on which your relative(s) become Permanent Resident(s) of Canada, or, in the event they have entered Canada with a Temporary Resident Permit, on the day of that entry.  Your obligations for your relative(s) will end as follows:

Spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners:
- 3 years from the date on which permanent resident status is granted.

Dependent children of sponsors, or dependent children of sponsor’s spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, who are less than 22 years of age on the date permanent resident status is granted:
- 10 years from the date on which permanent residence status is granted OR until the age of 25, whichever comes first.

Dependent children of sponsors, or dependent children of sponsor’s spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner who are 22 years of age or older on the date permanent residence status is granted:
- 3 years from the date on which permanent residence status is granted.

Your obligations during this entire length of time are to provide your relative(s) with:
- An adequate place to live
- Appropriate utilities for their accommodation
- Adequate food, clothing, household supplies, and personal requirements for day to day living.
- Dental care, eye care and other health services not provided by public health care
- Financial assistance to ensure that they do not require financial support from any Federal or Provincial assistance program.  This includes social assistance from any Municipal program.

Be advised that if payments are made to your relative(s) from any Federal, Provincial or Municipal assistance program:
- You have not honoured your obligations as a sponsor and you will be in default of your sponsorship.
- All social assistance paid to the sponsored person or family members, becomes a debt owed by the sponsor and may be recovered through enforcement action by the Minister and the Province as appropriate.
- You will not be allowed to sponsor any other relative to Canada until the debt is repaid in full.

If the Right of Permanent Residence Fee is applicable to your sponsorship and you have chosen to defer payment of that fee, you will be contacted at a later date by this office.  Once such notification is received, prompt payment is recommended to avoid delays in the processing and conclusion of your relative(s) application abroad.  A Permanent Resident Visa cannot be issued to your relative(s) until this payment is submitted.

If you require information about Immigration programs and services, application forms, general updates on your file status, or you need to change your address, visit our web site at www.cic.gc.ca

In the event that you need to contact the Call Centre, please have your client number (8 digit number at the top right of this letter) available.  Please note that in keeping with the privacy laws, Citizenship and Immigration Canada representatives will only discuss your sponsorship application with you or the individual identified as your representative for whom you have submitted a signed consent allowing the release of your information.

In closing, ensure that you report any changes to your address immediately to the Call Centre or change it through our on-line service.  Incorrect or old address may result in delays in the processing of your application. Please note that address changes for your relative's application in process at a visa office cannot be made through the CIC website.  Your relative must advise the visa office directly of any change in their address or contact details.

Officer SML
Case Processing Centre
Mississauga