ARCHIVED – Operational Bulletin 325 - July 18, 2011

New Sponsorship Form: IMM 1344

This Operational Bulletin has expired. Please refer to OB 325B – archived.

Issue

This Operational Bulletin (OB) introduces the new sponsorship application form. The new form will be available for use in family class applications for permanent residence and is applicable to both in-Canada and overseas applicants, effective July 18, 2011.

Background

The sponsorship application forms are part of family class permanent residence categories that are eligible to have a sponsor. The sponsorship forms are part of an application package that applicants are encouraged to download and are utilized by applicants who wish to enter or remain in Canada on a permanent basis. This application form is completed by a sponsor (and co-signer if applicable) and included with applications for permanent residence under the family class.

New form

Effective July 18, 2011, the previous versions of the IMM 1344 A and IMM 1344 B will be replaced by a new form, Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking [IMM 1344]. The introduction of the new sponsorship form is another step towards the Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) vision of integrated application forms.

All applications to sponsor under the family class must now be accompanied by an IMM 0008. This represents a shift in the way some family class applications (including parents, grandparents, other relatives, adoptions and orphans) are submitted to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga (CPC-M) for sponsorship eligibility assessment. Previously, for all non-priority family class applications submitted to CPC-M, only the IMM 1344 A and B forms, and supporting sponsorship documents were submitted. Submission of the IMM 0008 to a visa office was undertaken after a sponsorship eligibility decision had been made at CPC-M. The submission of both forms simultaneously is now necessary to allow for file creation in the Global Case Management System (GCMS) and will streamline the process. Although, both forms will now be sent to CPC-M, only the supporting documentation for the sponsorship application is required for non-priority family class applications. Supporting documentation for the IMM 0008 will be requested following the determination of the sponsor’s eligibility. Applications that do not contain the IMM 0008 will be returned to the sponsor for completion.

The CIC website will be updated to reflect the changes to forms. With regards to mission websites, most websites will not be affected as they link directly to the CIC main website. Missions with direct links to old forms have been contacted. However, all missions should review their websites and local documents carefully for any textual references to outdated forms or procedure. For any discrepancies, requests for changes to the missions’ websites should be made directly to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s web team at canada-international@international.gc.ca with a copy to International Region / RIX at IRCC.INMissionSupport-SoutienMissionRI.IRCC@cic.gc.ca. As of July 18, 2011, the URLs for the new sponsorship form on the CIC website will be as follows:

Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking/ Demande de parrainage, entente de parrainage et engagement— Form Number: IMM 1344 (E & F)

• www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM1344E.pdf (PDF, 478.72KB)
• www.cic.gc.ca/francais/pdf/trousses/form/IMM1344F.pdf (PDF, 769.23KB)

All in-Canada and overseas offices must ensure that they dispose of all stock of previous versions of the old IMM 1344A and IMM 1344B forms. Any specific local instructions or links to the above documents must be modified or removed by July 18, 2011. Local contacts should also be made aware of the new sponsorship application form, corresponding instruction guides and supporting documentation. This may involve requesting the removal of paper forms which may be with honorary consuls, lawyers/consultants, host Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices, Service Canada offices, travel agencies, etc.

The previous versions of sponsorship forms will continue to be accepted by CIC until March 31, 2012.

Family Class Applications for Permanent Residence

All applications to sponsor under the family class must now be accompanied by an IMM 0008. This represents a shift in the way some family class applications (including parents, grandparents, other relatives, adoptions and orphans) are submitted to CPC-M for sponsorship eligibility assessment. Previously, for all non-priority family class applications submitted to CPC-M, only the IMM 1344 A and B forms, and supporting sponsorship documents were submitted. Submission of the IMM 0008 to a visa office was undertaken after a sponsorship eligibility decision had been made at CPC-M. The submission of both forms simultaneously is now necessary to allow for file creation in GCMS, and the submissions of both forms will streamline the process. Applications that do not contain the IMM 0008 will be returned to the sponsor for completion.

Form details

The new Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking [IMM 1344] can be accessed electronically as of July 18, 2011. Unlike the new IMM 0008 application for permanent residence form which generates barcodes when applicants complete and validate their form electronically, the new IMM 1344 does not have a corresponding barcode at this time. CIC will manually enter the data contained in the new IMM 1344. A barcode for the new sponsorship form will be will be available in an upcoming release of GCMS.

The new form integrates the Application to Sponsor and Undertaking (IMM 1344 A) and the Sponsorship Agreement (IMM 1344 B) forms into one form. This new form must be included in all applicable applications for permanent residence.

Officers should encourage applicants to complete the new forms electronically (not by hand) and not submit old application forms. Officers and applicants are encouraged to read the instruction guide as it contains further details regarding the completion of the new application forms.

Communications regarding this new sponsorship form will be provided to the CIC Call Centre and information will be made available on WebCART.