My wife (sponsor) did receive an email past couple days that said she was found eligible to sponsor me. Exact wording at the start of the document she received stated "You have met the requirements for eligibility as a sponsor. The Application for Permanent
Residence (APR) for your relative will be processed separately and he/she will be contacted
shortly."
But I didn't see AIP or approval in principle anywhere in the letter.
Would this be the AIP then? Thanks so much for the help, much anxiety over here.
No, that is the Sponsor Approval (only) letter which, again, is the first of two major pieces of the puzzle.
Here's an example of what the AIP letter looks like:
This letter acknowledges receipt of your application for permanent resident status in Canada.
It has been determined that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent resident status as a member of the
Spouse or common-law partner in Canada Class. However, a final decision will not be made until all remaining
requirements for becoming a permanent resident have been met. These requirements include medical, security and
background checks for you and if applicable, all of your family members, both in Canada and abroad even if they are not
applying to join you in Canada at this time. You cannot become a permanent resident until you and all your family
members have met these requirements.
If you are not already in possession of a valid work permit or you have a work permit but wish to work elsewhere, or do
not possess a valid study permit and you wish to attend school for more than six months, you may apply for either or both.
If you wish to apply for a study permit, be sure to include a letter from the educational institution you plan to attend. The
letter should outline the type of course or program you are registered for, the start date and the expected completion date.
Please contact the Immigration Call Centre in your area to request an application kit.
The client number shown in the upper right corner of this letter is your personal identification number. This number
provides access to information on your file. For your own protection, you should not allow any other person to use this
number. If sending correspondence to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, please include your personal identification
number. Failure to include this number could result in the return of your correspondence unanswered. If you require
further assistance, please telephone your local Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 and be prepared to quote your client number
and your date of birth. General information and application kits may also be obtained through our Internet web-site at
http://www.cic.gc.ca.
Yours truly,
C&I Officer
Citizenship & Immigration Canada
55 Bay Street North
Hamilton, Ontario L8R 3P7
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The part in green means that your sponsor has been approved, which is ultimately what makes you eligible for Spousal Sponsorship. Some believe that this also means that your relationship with your sponsor has been assessed, leaving only your background (and security), as well as medical to be completed. It really does mean that you're likely close to the finish line, as long as nothing is found in the aforementioned remaining checks.
