I today received email from someone I do not know well asking how to deal with a recent rejection of their application to sponsor 2 pre-teen children from the Philippines. I guess they found out I helped family members and thought I somehow knew all this stuff, which I don't. Because this person's English is not the best, and lack of computer access, I did not suggest they sign up here and start asking for help. I said I would ask a question or two on their behalf, but I do not want to really get much involved. I have been enough involved with my own family.
Anyway, this person received a letter, rejecting the application for 2 reasons.
REASON #1
Please note your application has been rejected for the following reason:
Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344)
A parent or legal guardian must sign on behalf of a dependent child under the age of 18 when a signature for this person is required.
Please submit a newly completed Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344) including all 18 Sponsor Eligibility Assessment questions found on pages 2 and 3 bearing original handwritten signature(s). (my emphasis)
The Guide (IMM5289) instructs:
The sponsor must
download and complete these forms
digitally sign, along with the principal applicant (PA)
...
If the principal applicant is a minor child (under 18 years old) their parent or legal guardian must sign the forms, and consent and declaration on their behalf.
On IMM 1344, on the signature page, it says that "I agree that by typing my name, I am electronically signing my application." Then there appears spaces for the sponsor and the sponsored person to sign by typing.
Notwithstanding all of the foregoing, is it the case that handwritten signatures must appear? I won't even get into the issue of the meaning to be ascribed to signing "on behalf" of the child which was recently debated here on the forum. Are people using written signatures, then scanning and submitting scanned copies? Kinda' seems to defeat the whole digital idea.
REASON #2
Financial Evaluation (IMM 5481)
Financial Evaluation (IMM 5481) form not included/missing.
Again, the Guide advises:
If you’re only sponsoring dependent children, you must fill out
Sponsorship Evaluation [IMM 5481] (PDF, 2.17 MB)
Financial Evaluation [IMM 1283] (PDF, 2.01 MB)
So, the rejection letter says that Financial Evaluation form IMM 5481 is missing, yet the form IMM5481 referred to and linked in the Guide is, in fact, as described in the Guide. It's the Sponsorship Evaluation form NOT the Financial Evaluation form. The Sponsorship Evaluation form IMM 5481 was, I am told, submitted.
The only Financial Evaluation form available seems to be IMM 1283. On that topic, the Guide says:
Financial Evaluation form (IMM 1283)
View form IMM 1283 (PDF, 2.01 MB)
Complete this form if you are sponsoring a dependent child who has a dependent child of their own.
Well, my "friend" has young kids who do not have their own dependent children, hence IMM 1283 was not completed.
It's not at all clear how Reason #2 can be satisfied. It appears to be based on erroneous notions: (i) that Financial Evaluation form IMM 5481 is a form that actually exists, which does not appear to be the case and (ii) it needs to be filled out. As I say, the only Financial Information form I can find is IMM 1283 and it's quite clear that it should NOT be filled out if the sponsored kids don't have kids. But the IRCC demand is now there, however impossible to meet.
Finally, the rejection letter does not really say, but it appears that, even if missing/corrected forms are available, the entire application must be submitted anew. Is that how it works? It does not seem that one can resort to the simple expedient of sending in one or two documents appended to a webform. And, I suppose, to re-submit will require payment of fees again, which sucks.
Any ideas on how to proceed? I should add that the rejection letter was received for only one of the 2 kids. Presumably an identical letter for the other kid will arrive soon. Maybe I am just failing to comprehend what's crystal clear to everyone else and the rejection is wholly legitimate. After all, the IRCC is never wrong, is it? I would think it ranks ahead of papal infallibility.
Anyway, this person received a letter, rejecting the application for 2 reasons.
REASON #1
Please note your application has been rejected for the following reason:
Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344)
A parent or legal guardian must sign on behalf of a dependent child under the age of 18 when a signature for this person is required.
Please submit a newly completed Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344) including all 18 Sponsor Eligibility Assessment questions found on pages 2 and 3 bearing original handwritten signature(s). (my emphasis)
The Guide (IMM5289) instructs:
The sponsor must
download and complete these forms
digitally sign, along with the principal applicant (PA)
...
If the principal applicant is a minor child (under 18 years old) their parent or legal guardian must sign the forms, and consent and declaration on their behalf.
On IMM 1344, on the signature page, it says that "I agree that by typing my name, I am electronically signing my application." Then there appears spaces for the sponsor and the sponsored person to sign by typing.
Notwithstanding all of the foregoing, is it the case that handwritten signatures must appear? I won't even get into the issue of the meaning to be ascribed to signing "on behalf" of the child which was recently debated here on the forum. Are people using written signatures, then scanning and submitting scanned copies? Kinda' seems to defeat the whole digital idea.
REASON #2
Financial Evaluation (IMM 5481)
Financial Evaluation (IMM 5481) form not included/missing.
Again, the Guide advises:
If you’re only sponsoring dependent children, you must fill out
Sponsorship Evaluation [IMM 5481] (PDF, 2.17 MB)
Financial Evaluation [IMM 1283] (PDF, 2.01 MB)
So, the rejection letter says that Financial Evaluation form IMM 5481 is missing, yet the form IMM5481 referred to and linked in the Guide is, in fact, as described in the Guide. It's the Sponsorship Evaluation form NOT the Financial Evaluation form. The Sponsorship Evaluation form IMM 5481 was, I am told, submitted.
The only Financial Evaluation form available seems to be IMM 1283. On that topic, the Guide says:
Financial Evaluation form (IMM 1283)
View form IMM 1283 (PDF, 2.01 MB)
Complete this form if you are sponsoring a dependent child who has a dependent child of their own.
Well, my "friend" has young kids who do not have their own dependent children, hence IMM 1283 was not completed.
It's not at all clear how Reason #2 can be satisfied. It appears to be based on erroneous notions: (i) that Financial Evaluation form IMM 5481 is a form that actually exists, which does not appear to be the case and (ii) it needs to be filled out. As I say, the only Financial Information form I can find is IMM 1283 and it's quite clear that it should NOT be filled out if the sponsored kids don't have kids. But the IRCC demand is now there, however impossible to meet.
Finally, the rejection letter does not really say, but it appears that, even if missing/corrected forms are available, the entire application must be submitted anew. Is that how it works? It does not seem that one can resort to the simple expedient of sending in one or two documents appended to a webform. And, I suppose, to re-submit will require payment of fees again, which sucks.
Any ideas on how to proceed? I should add that the rejection letter was received for only one of the 2 kids. Presumably an identical letter for the other kid will arrive soon. Maybe I am just failing to comprehend what's crystal clear to everyone else and the rejection is wholly legitimate. After all, the IRCC is never wrong, is it? I would think it ranks ahead of papal infallibility.
