Spousal Sponsorship Interview Questions

IRCC decides on the documents unless an officer asks for more information or an interview. When an officer calls an interview, the questions test IRPR section 4: is the relationship genuine, and was it entered into mainly to gain status? IRCC's guide says an officer may ask about your relationship, education, reasons for immigrating, plans, family, health, finances and any past trouble with the law.

See the spousal sponsorship documents in the Document Checklist

Last verified: November 2026

IRPR s.4
The genuineness test an interview applies
IMM 5532
The relationship form the sponsor and the principal applicant each fill out and sign parts of
30 days
For the notice of appeal to reach the IAD after an outland Family Class refusal
Five years
Inadmissibility for misrepresentation (IRPA s.40)

When does IRCC call a spousal sponsorship interview?

When you sponsor a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner for permanent residence, IRCC has to be satisfied that your relationship is real. IRCC decides on the documents unless an officer asks for more information or an interview.

IRCC's instructions say that if the documents do not adequately prove a genuine relationship, or if the officer doubts that the applicant lives with the sponsor, the officer may ask for more information, ask the sponsor and applicant to complete a Supplementary Relationship Questionnaire (IMM 5526), or schedule an interview, case by case. An interview does not by itself mean a refusal.

If an interview is needed, IRCC tells you in writing, with the date, time and location and a list of documents to bring.

What does the officer assess?

The interview exists to help an officer apply the test in IRPR section 4. Under that rule, a marriage, common-law relationship or conjugal partnership will not be recognized for immigration purposes if either of two things is true.

The relationship is not genuine.
It was entered into primarily for the purpose of acquiring a status or privilege under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

This is sometimes called the bad-faith relationship test. The section joins the two branches with "or", so either one is enough for a relationship not to be recognized. IRCC's instructions add that a relationship ended and then resumed to acquire status is also excluded (IRPR s.4.1).

The interview is how the officer gathers first-hand information to apply that section 4 test. IRCC's instructions also tell officers to examine the documents submitted as proof of the relationship to ensure that they are not fraudulent.

The rule

A relationship is not recognized for immigration if it is not genuine, or if it was entered into primarily to gain status or a privilege under the Act.

IRPR s.4Verify on justice.gc.ca

What subjects can the officer ask about?

IRCC's guide for sponsoring a spouse or partner (Guide 5289) says that during an interview an officer may ask the principal applicant about:

Their relationship with the sponsor
Their education level
Their reasons for immigrating
Their plans and preparations
Their family
Their health and financial situation
Past difficulties with the law

IRCC may also ask questions to evaluate the applicant's means to settle successfully in Canada. There is no fixed script, and an officer decides case by case.

IRCC's instructions let an officer interview the sponsor and the applicant separately to establish whether the relationship is genuine. On paper, too, the sponsor and the principal applicant each fill out and sign parts of the same form, the Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation (IMM 5532).

What does the law require of your answers?

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act requires you to answer an officer's questions truthfully (IRPA s.16(1)).

IRCC's instructions also tell officers to follow procedural fairness when concerns arise that are material to the decision. So you may be told of a concern and given a chance to respond before a decision.

What happens after the interview?

After the interview the officer continues to assess the application against the section 4 test and the rest of the file. A positive assessment moves the application forward. Concerns may lead to a request for more information, a procedural fairness letter, or a refusal.

A conclusion that the relationship is not genuine, or was entered into primarily to gain status, means the person is not a spouse or partner under IRPR s.4, and the application can be refused. IRCC includes officer decision notes with refusal letters for most permanent resident applications (since May 26, 2026).

Outland (overseas) Family Class: an appeal to the IAD: The Canadian or permanent resident sponsor generally has a right to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board. The notice of appeal must reach the IAD within 30 days after the sponsor receives the officer's decision and written reasons (Immigration Appeal Division Rules, 2022, rule 16). The IAD can hear the case fresh and consider new evidence.
Inland spousal sponsorship: no IAD appeal: Inland spousal sponsorship applications have no IAD appeal. The court route is judicial review in the Federal Court, with leave.

Some refusals, such as those based on certain inadmissibility findings, can also limit appeal rights. These appeal and procedural details can change, so confirm the current rules on the IRCC and Immigration and Refugee Board websites.

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What do people ask?

What questions are asked in a spousal sponsorship interview?

IRCC's guide says an officer may ask about your relationship with the sponsor, education level, reasons for immigrating, plans and preparations, family, health, financial situation and past difficulties with the law. There is no fixed script, and an officer decides case by case. The relationship questions serve the test in IRPR s.4: is the relationship genuine, and was it entered into primarily to gain status? Our Proof of Relationship for Spousal Sponsorship guide lists the documents that back up your answers.

Does every spousal sponsorship application get an interview?

No. IRCC decides on the documents unless an officer asks for more information or an interview. IRCC's instructions allow an interview, case by case, when the documents do not adequately prove a genuine relationship or the officer doubts that the applicant lives with the sponsor. An interview does not by itself mean a refusal. The Spousal Sponsorship 2026 guide walks through the full paper process that comes before any interview.

Why does IRCC interview couples at all?

IRCC interviews couples to apply IRPR s.4. A relationship is not recognized for immigration if it is not genuine, or if it was entered into primarily to gain status or a privilege under the Act. The interview lets an officer gather first-hand information on those two questions. The rule box on this page quotes the section, and the IRPR explorer has the full text.

Will my partner and I be interviewed separately?

You may be. IRCC's instructions let an officer interview the sponsor and the applicant separately to establish whether the relationship is genuine. On paper, the sponsor and the principal applicant also each fill out and sign parts of the same relationship form (IMM 5532). The Proof of Relationship guide covers the shared records.

Are there spousal visa interview questions and answers to memorize?

No. There is no fixed script. Answers must be truthful (IRPA s.16(1)).

What if I cannot remember a small detail?

Answers must be truthful (IRPA s.16(1)). Misrepresentation makes a person inadmissible for five years (IRPA s.40).

Can inconsistent answers lead to a refusal?

They can, if the officer concludes that the relationship is not genuine or was entered into primarily to gain status (IRPR s.4). IRCC's instructions tell officers to follow procedural fairness when concerns arise that are material to the decision, so you may receive a procedural fairness letter and a chance to respond before any decision. False or misleading answers can also lead to a misrepresentation finding under IRPA s.40, which makes a person inadmissible for five years.

Can I appeal if my sponsorship is refused after an interview?

It depends on the stream. If the application was made through the overseas (outland) Family Class, the sponsor generally has a right to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division, within 30 days after receiving the decision and written reasons. Inland applications have no IAD appeal; the route is judicial review in the Federal Court, with leave. Some inadmissibility findings can limit appeals. The Inland vs Outland Sponsorship guide compares the two streams in full.

Part of:Sponsoring family

Official sources

This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.