Spousal Sponsorship Interview Questions

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info@TheVisa.ca.ca

Below you will find excerpts from the actual Immigration Officer Guidelines or Manual as to how they conduct interviews and what Spousal Sponsorship Interview Questions you should be prepared to answer. This will help give you a sense as to what you might expect from an Officer during an interview as well as provide you with insight as to what an Officer should do as well.

STEP

GUIDLINES

1

READ THE FILE IN ADVANCE

  • Stay focused on why a sponsorship interview is required and what is needed to make a decision
  • Gather any tools that need to be consulted in order to make a decision.

2

ESTABLISH RAPPORT

  • Greet the applicant
  • Put the client at ease: help them through the logistics e.g.

    • do they follow you?
    • where do they sit?
    • do they have special needs?

 

3

EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE AND FORMAT OF THE INTERVIEW

  • Explain the officer’s role and authority
  • Explain how the interview will be conducted
  • If using an interpreter, ensure that the applicant and interpreter understand each other
  • Ensure that the applicant understands the officer and the process.

 

4

ELICIT INFORMATION

  • Try to put the applicant for sponsorship at ease: most people will be more forthcoming if they feel relaxed
  • Keep vocabulary simple and sentence structure uncluttered
  • Avoid jargon, rephrase questions if it appears that the applicant has not understood a question
  • Maintain the dignity of the applicant
  • What to ask:

    • ask only what cannot be determined from the file
    • use the application form as a guide
    • be alert for inconsistencies, gaps and evasiveness. Personal questions are acceptable as long as the officer is respectful.

 

5

VERIFY CLIENT INFORMATION

  • Probe by asking closed questions about details that the applicant should be able to provide
  • Use closed questions in a cross-examination style
  • Observe the applicant’s demeanor as they answer
  • Remain neutral and objective
  • Maintain rapport during this phase of the sponsorship interview.

6

GIVE THE APPLICANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO REFUTE/EXPLAIN

  • Remember the principles of procedural fairness
  • Give the applicant reasonable opportunity to:

    • respond to the decision
    • clarify facts
    • provide new information or
    • question the officer's interpretation of the facts
  • Don't be reluctant to change a decision if the applicant presents new, relevant information
  • Explain any conditions of acceptance
  • Explain the reasons for a refusal
  • Explain the requirements and why the applicant does not meet them.

 

7

EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

  • If something is required of the applicant, write this down for them
  • Ask only for additional information/documentation if it is necessary in order to make a decision
  • Inform the client what will be done next
  • As applicable, inform the applicant that they will also receive a written explanation
  • Inform the applicant if humanitarian and compassionate consideration, rehabilitation, etc., will be sought
  • Make clear who has the authority to make the decision.

 

8

ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS

  • Give the client an opportunity to clarify what was said and make sure they understand
  • Give counseling: refer the applicant to authoritative sources
  • Avoid giving information you are not certain of.