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spousal sponsorship and CBSA travel history please help!!!

karenkaren88

Newbie
Apr 10, 2018
8
0
Hi everyone,
My husband (Canadian citizen by birth) and I have just submitted a spousal sponsorship application. In August 2015 I was approved for a study permit but a couple of months later I stopped my studies (never informed the school) and left Canada in November 2015. I am from a visa-exempt country and only need an ETA to reenter BUT when reentering on several occasions in 2016/2017 I think I told the CBSA officer and declared on the customs form that the purpose of my visit was to study until at some point in 2017 an officer removed the study permit from my passport. Yes, I was young and very very stupid.. During those times I never overstayed the 6 month visitor period and always had a valid ETA, so technically was never in Canada illegally but misrepresented the reason for my visit so they may have admitted me into the country more times than they would have otherwise. We are very concerned that on our spousal sponsorship application, I indicated that all the visits in 2016/2017 were for personal purposes to visit my now husband, not study and that I ended my studies after a couple of months.
Does anyone know what a CBSA travel history looks like - do they record the purpose of visit/ immigration status? Do the spousal sponsorship processing offices typically check those cbsa travel logs? Any advice on whether this will be considered a serious offence and lead to the refusal of the application?
 

karenkaren88

Newbie
Apr 10, 2018
8
0
Anyone? Please please help, I would really appreciate any insights. We are totally panicking and unsure as to what we should do to avoid the misrepresentation 5 year ban
 

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
55,291
13,428
In general Canada favours people being honest and upfront about any past mistakes along with an apology. Would personally address the issue and apologize for your stupidity but I am not an immigration lawyer.
 

Flyingfast

Hero Member
Feb 9, 2022
457
213
Hi everyone,
My husband (Canadian citizen by birth) and I have just submitted a spousal sponsorship application. In August 2015 I was approved for a study permit but a couple of months later I stopped my studies (never informed the school) and left Canada in November 2015. I am from a visa-exempt country and only need an ETA to reenter BUT when reentering on several occasions in 2016/2017 I think I told the CBSA officer and declared on the customs form that the purpose of my visit was to study until at some point in 2017 an officer removed the study permit from my passport. Yes, I was young and very very stupid.. During those times I never overstayed the 6 month visitor period and always had a valid ETA, so technically was never in Canada illegally but misrepresented the reason for my visit so they may have admitted me into the country more times than they would have otherwise. We are very concerned that on our spousal sponsorship application, I indicated that all the visits in 2016/2017 were for personal purposes to visit my now husband, not study and that I ended my studies after a couple of months.
Does anyone know what a CBSA travel history looks like - do they record the purpose of visit/ immigration status? Do the spousal sponsorship processing offices typically check those cbsa travel logs? Any advice on whether this will be considered a serious offence and lead to the refusal of the application?
Just include a letter of explanation with your application. Being upfront generally leads to fewer problems as it shows you are being fully transparent.