Areas of Practice

Visitor Profile and Client Needs

• Reliable, licensed Canadian immigration support
• Assistance with time-sensitive or high-impact cases
• Transparency, regulatory compliance, and experience
• Clear strategies, tailored solutions, and confident representation
• Practical guidance for interviews, document requests, and follow-up steps

Service Approach

• Regulated Expertise: Services provided by a CICC-licensed RCIC
• Personalized Strategy: Each case assessed individually
• Transparent Process: Clear guidance on risks, options, and timelines
• Flexible Access: Available in person or online (video/phone)
• Ethical Representation: Compliance with Canadian immigration regulations

Location & Consultations

Ingalls Immigration serves clients locally and worldwide through virtual consultations as well as face-to-face meetings by appointment. Initial consultations are available to evaluate eligibility, outline options, and develop a practical immigration plan.

Spousal Sponsorship — Husband, Wife, or Common-Law Partner

Bring your spouse or partner to Canada as a permanent resident through family sponsorship. Ingalls Immigration, led by Reza Sands, M.Sc., RCIC, provides professional guidance throughout this process, both in person and online.

Processing Times

Average processing times are typically 8 to 12 months, depending on the visa office handling the application. Some offices process cases faster, while others may take longer based on workload and complexity.

All sponsorship applications (both Inland and Outland) are submitted online. After submission, the application is reviewed for completeness and sponsor eligibility. Once accepted for processing, the file is transferred to the appropriate visa office for further assessment.

Sponsoring a Spouse with Criminal History

 If the sponsored spouse has past criminal charges or convictions, additional steps are required. Immigration authorities must assess whether the person is admissible to Canada. In many cases, inadmissibility can be addressed depending on the seriousness of the offence, the time elapsed, and the number of incidents.

Charges Without Conviction

 Even if charges were withdrawn or no conviction resulted, all incidents must still be disclosed. Supporting court documents should be included with the application. Failure to disclose past charges can lead to serious consequences, including refusal for misrepresentation, even if the person would otherwise be admissible.

Minor Offence with Significant Time Passed

If only one non-serious offence occurred and sufficient time has passed since completion of the sentence (including fines, probation, or parole), the individual may qualify for deemed rehabilitation, which can be requested with the sponsorship application.

More Serious Offences or Multiple Convictions

Where offences are more serious or involve multiple incidents, a Criminal Rehabilitation application may be required. Eligibility typically depends on the time elapsed since completion of all sentencing conditions.

Situations Where Rehabilitation Is Not Yet Available

If insufficient time has passed to qualify for rehabilitation, other options may exist, such as requests based on humanitarian considerations. Each case requires careful evaluation, as outcomes depend heavily on individual circumstances and supporting evidence.

Sponsoring a Spouse with Misrepresentation Issues

A prior finding of misrepresentation can result in a temporary ban from entering Canada (commonly five years). However, sponsorship may still be possible depending on the situation.

Common Reasons for Misrepresentation Findings

• Failure to disclose prior visa refusals
• Inaccurate information about work history, education, or travel Submission of false or altered documents
• Omission of past criminal charges
• Providing incorrect information during entry to Canada

Professional guidance is strongly recommended in such cases to determine the most appropriate strategy.

Humanitarian Considerations

In certain circumstances, immigration authorities may grant exemptions based on humanitarian factors, particularly when separation would cause undue hardship or affect children. Approval depends on detailed evidence and persuasive submissions addressing the specific situation.

Temporary Visas While Sponsorship Is Pending

In some cases, spouses with a pending permanent residence application may apply for a visitor visa to come to Canada temporarily. Approval depends on demonstrating that the applicant will respect immigration laws and conditions of stay.

Preparing a Strong Sponsorship Application

Spousal sponsorship applications are document-intensive and often exceed 100 pages once all forms and evidence are included. Cases involving previous marriages, short relationships, cultural differences, or children from prior relationships may require additional documentation.

Incomplete or weak applications can result in delays, requests for additional information, interviews, or refusal. Professional preparation can significantly reduce these risks.

If an Application Is Refused

Options depend on whether the application was filed Inland or Outland:

Inland applications: Generally no right of appeal; re-application may be required

Outland applications: Refusals may be appealed to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) within a limited timeframe

Proving a Genuine Relationship

Immigration officers carefully assess whether the relationship is authentic and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes. Factors often considered include:

• Length and history of the relationship Living arrangements
• Communication and shared life evidence Cultural or age differences
• Family involvement and support
• Financial interdependence

Common Reasons Applications Are Returned or Delayed

Missing or outdated forms

Incomplete answers

Insufficient supporting documents Incorrect photos or fee payments Country-specific requirements not met

Types of Spousal Sponsorship Applications

Outland Sponsorship

Processed through a visa office outside Canada, usually in the spouse’s country of residence or citizenship. Applicants may still live together in Canada during processing. This category allows for an appeal if refused.

Inland Sponsorship (In-Canada Class)

Processed within Canada and requires the couple to live together during processing. The sponsored partner may be eligible for an open work permit if they have valid status.

Inland refusals generally cannot be appealed.

Who Can Be Sponsored

Eligible relationships include:

Spouse: Married partner (legally recognized marriage)

Common-Law Partner: Living together continuously for at least 12 months

Conjugal Partner: Long-term committed relationship where cohabitation is not possible due to exceptional circumstances

Canada recognizes both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships under these categories. Dependent children (generally under 22 years old) may also be included.

Sponsor Eligibility Requirements

To sponsor a spouse or partner, you must:

Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident Be at least 18 years old

Not be incarcerated, bankrupt, or under a removal order (for permanent residents) Not have sponsored a spouse within the previous five years

Requirements for the Sponsored Person

The person being sponsored must: Be at least 18 years old

Not be closely related to the sponsor in a prohibited manner Meet admissibility requirements (medical, criminal, security)

Financial Responsibility

Sponsors must sign an undertaking to financially support the sponsored person for three years after permanent residence is granted. During this period, the sponsored individual generally cannot sponsor another spouse.

Dependent Child Sponsorship (Including Children You Plan to Adopt)

You may be able to sponsor a dependent child—or, in certain cases, a child you intend to adopt—for Canadian permanent residence. Ingalls Immigration, led by Reza Sands, M.Sc., RCIC, can help you confirm eligibility and prepare a complete, well- supported application.

Who Can Be Sponsored

In general, a dependent child is a child who meets Canada’s definition of “dependent” at the time the application is submitted (and continues to meet it during processing). The age threshold is set by government policy and may change over time.

Sponsor Eligibility

You may sponsor a dependent child if you are:

18 years of age or older

A Canadian citizen or a permanent resident living in Canada

Not in situations that may make you ineligible (for example, incarceration, bankruptcy, being under a removal order if you are a permanent resident, or facing certain serious criminal charges)

Requirements for the Sponsored Child

A child is generally eligible as a dependent if they are:

Not married and not in a common-law relationship, and

Within the age range that qualifies as “dependent” under current immigration rules

If the Child Is Older

If the child is above the standard dependent age threshold, they may still qualify as a dependent only in limited situations, such as:

The child has a physical or mental condition that creates a longstanding dependence, and

The child has been financially dependent on the parent(s) since before they exceeded the dependent age threshold

Requirements for the Parent–Child Relationship

To sponsor a child, the relationship must meet one of the following:

Biological Child

The child is the sponsor’s biological child, and The child has not been adopted by someone else

OR

Adopted Child

The child has been legally adopted by the sponsor (or is being adopted through a process that meets Canadian immigration requirements)

Important Notes

 Dependent child sponsorship can involve detailed documentation (identity documents, custody/guardianship evidence where applicable, adoption paperwork, and country- specific requirements). Incomplete applications can lead to delays or returns.