A sponsorship appeal can sometimes be necessary if you have sponsored your spouse or parent to come to Canada and have been refused. The refusal in the case of a spousal sponsorship is often because the overseas officer was not convinced that you had entered into a genuine marriage, not just for immigration purposes. In this case, there will be an oral hearing at which you will be given the opportunity to present all of the proof of the marriage and continued communication in order to establish that it is a genuine relationship. Often your spouse will also be called on the phone to testify. It is highly recommended that you have counsel with you at any oral hearing before the Board.