Table of Contents
Introduction
About 10 % of spousal, common-law and conjugal sponsorship files are sent to a visa-office interview each year, according to IRCC Program Delivery Instructions (PDI). An interview is not a death sentence, but it is your last chance to convince the officer your relationship is genuine and to clear up concerns about admissibility or documentation. This guide distills the exact criteria IRCC officers use (drawn from OP 2 / IPG 5 manual updates and 2025 PDIs) and turns them into a 30-day preparation plan.
Why IRCC Calls an Interview
Core Reason (Manual Reference) | What It Means |
Genuineness Doubts (OP 2 §17.1) | Evidence submitted is inconsistent, minimal or appears fabricated. |
Barriers to Marriage/Cohabitation Unclear (conjugal) | Officer not satisfied that “genuine barriers” exist. |
Previous Marriages/Divorces (PDI “Complex Cases”) | Timelines overlap or divorce documentation incomplete. |
Large Age / Cultural Gap | Relationship must be explained in person. |
Inconsistent Statements | Forms, letters or phone calls conflict. |
Admissibility Issues | Criminality, misrepresentation, or medical concern requires clarification. |
An interview is mandatory in all cases where the officer cannot make a positive decision on paper and believes credibility must be assessed verbally.
How You’re Notified and Where You’ll Go
- Notice of Assessment Letter (e-mail in GCKey or PR Portal) lists:
- Date, time and time-zone
- Address or secure video-link
- Required documents
- Minimum lead-time: 30 days. Officers may grant extensions for travel or health emergencies if requested with proof.
- Location: The responsible Canadian visa office or Visa Application Centre (VAC) for the applicant’s country of residence. Since 2023, IRCC has also scheduled videoconference interviews when travel is unsafe or VAC capacity is limited.
Interview Formats in 2025
Format | Used For | Identification Procedure |
In-Person (most common) | Complex credibility issues, document verification (originals examined). | Passport scanned; biometrics cross-checked. |
Secure Video (Webex/MS Teams) | COVID-era practice retained for low-risk files with location barriers. | Officer asks applicant to show passport to camera; VAC staff supervise. |
Telephone (rare) | Simple clarifications or language testing when the video bandwidth is unreliable. | Pre-call identity quiz. |
Documents You Must Bring—No Excuses
- Original passports (old and current).
- Interview letter printed.
- Any identity or civil-status papers IRCC flagged as unclear (birth, divorce, death, adoption certificates).
- Updated relationship proof since filing: photos, chat logs, shared bills, money transfers.
- Proof of interview travel (tickets, hotel) if distance corroborates inability to co-habit.
- Sponsor’s new documents (employment letter, NOA, lease) if living arrangements changed.
- Certified translations for every non-English/French document.
- Interpreter’s contact info if you requested one.
Failure to present originals equals negative discretion under IRPA 11(2) notes in OP 2.
Typical Questions, By Theme
Theme | Sample Questions |
Relationship Chronology | When and where did you first meet? Who introduced you? |
Daily Communication | How often do you talk? On which apps? Who calls first? |
Family & Friends | Have you met each other’s parents? What are your in-laws’ names? |
Milestones | Describe your last birthday together. What gifts were exchanged? |
Future Plans | Where will you live in Canada? Who will pay the bills? |
Cultural/Religious Issues | How did your families react to the relationship? |
Sponsor Facts | What is your partner’s job title, salary, work schedule? |
Previous Relationships | Why did your previous marriage end? Date of divorce decree? |
Travel History | Why did you choose to vacation in X country? Who paid? |
Expect 30 – 60 minutes; officer writes detailed notes (CAIPS/GCMS) for each answer. Questions can be rapid-fire to test consistency.
Eight High-Risk “Red-Flag” Areas Officers Probe
- Large Age Gap (≥ 15 years).
- Short courtship (< 6 months) followed by immediate sponsorship.
- Minimal co-habitation or zero in-person meetings (spouse/common-law).
- Third-country marriages where neither partner lived.
- Proxy or online weddings.
- Cultural context where arranged marriages sometimes conceal marriages of convenience.
- Incomplete divorce finalisation.
- Sponsor on social assistance or previous sponsorship default.
Prepare solid, documented explanations before interview day.
Day-of-Interview Etiquette and Body-Language Tips
- Dress business-casual; avoid culturally symbolic attire that may distract.
- Arrive 30 minutes early (in-person) or log in 15 minutes early (video).
- Answer first-person singular (“I met her in 2021 …”), not “we.”
- Don’t guess dates. Say “I’m not sure; may I check my records?”
- Stay calm if officer reads contradictory statement—clarify context.
- Bring only relevant evidence; huge binders irritate officers.
- Do not coach: If both partners interviewed separately, never discuss questions between sessions (integrity check).
Possible Outcomes and Next Steps
Outcome | What Happens | Typical Timeline |
Positive verbal indication | Officer says “Thank you, no further questions.” | Decision Made (DM) in GCMS within 2-4 weeks. |
Additional Document Request (ADR) | Officer wants missing proofs (medical redo, divorce final). | 30-90 days to supply; file dormant until received. |
Security/Background extended | No relationship concerns but security still running. | Adds 2-6 months. |
Fairness Letter (Procedural Fairness) | Officer doubts genuineness; you have 30 days to rebut. | Failure to rebut = refusal. |
Refusal | GCMS notes + refusal letter with appeal rights (spouse/common-law). | 30 days to file IAD appeal (outland), 15 days for judicial review (inland). |
Sponsors inside Canada can appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) except conjugal-partner cases, which have no IAD appeal right—judicial review only.
Frequently Asked Questions — 25 Precise Answers
- Can I bring a lawyer or consultant into the interview room?
Yes—authorized reps may attend but cannot answer for you. - Will they interview my sponsor too?
Often yes for complex cases; sometimes on a separate day by phone. - Interpreter provided?
If requested on the interview reply form; must be neutral, not family. - How long are interview notes kept?
Accessible via ATIP request. - Can I record the interview?
No. IRCC prohibits personal recordings. - If I miss the interview?
File is refused for abandonment unless you reschedule in advance with proof. - Proof of relationship after filing—needed?
Yes; bring evidence up to interview week. - Dress code?
Business-casual; avoid brand logos or political symbols. - Children required to attend?
Only if specifically requested. - Video interview—what platform?
Usually Webex Meetings; download app in advance. - Time-zone confusion?
Letter states local time at interview location and UTC offset—verify. - Interview letter lost—what now?
Retrieve copy via GCKey “Messages.” - Is mock-interview coaching legal?
Yes; consultants must not encourage dishonest answers. - Can we rehearse answers word-for-word?
Avoid scripted replies—officers note robotic delivery. - Will refusal ban my partner from future sponsorship?
No, but misrepresentation triggers a 5-year bar. - What if the officer is rude or biased?
Answer politely; request supervisor review after decision, not during. - Photo albums allowed?
Yes—label dates & locations. - Can second interview occur?
Rare but possible if new concerns arise. - What if relationship ends before interview?
Withdraw sponsorship immediately to avoid misrepresentation. - Parents’ refusal to attend wedding—problem?
Explain cultural context; show other social recognition evidence.
Conclusion & Paid Consultation Offer
A visa-office interview isn’t random: it’s the officer’s structured method to fill documentary gaps and test credibility. Walk in unprepared and small inconsistencies can trigger a refusal; walk in ready and the interview often ends in ten minutes with a positive note in GCMS.
Immigration Nation – Immigration Consultant Edmonton prepares couples with tailored mock interviews, curated evidence binders and day-of-interview representation (in-person or Webex). Don’t leave success to chance.
Secure your interview-prep package today
Phone: (780) 800-0113 Email: [email protected]