Can a sponsored applicant ask to continue the process independently if the sponsor withdraws support?

Generally, no — a sponsored applicant cannot simply ask to continue a sponsorship-based application on their own if the sponsor withdraws support. Sponsorship applications are built around having a willing, eligible sponsor who has signed an undertaking, so if that sponsor pulls out before a final decision, the application is generally refused or withdrawn rather than continued independently under the same sponsorship.

This can feel unfair, especially when an applicant has already invested time, money, and hope into the process, but the sponsorship stream is legally tied to the sponsor's ongoing commitment. Without a sponsor, IRCC has no one bound by the financial undertaking that sponsorship depends on.

That said, losing a sponsor doesn't necessarily close every door. Depending on someone's individual circumstances, there may be other immigration pathways available outside the sponsorship stream — for example, based on work experience, other family ties, or humanitarian considerations — though these are separate applications with their own requirements and are not automatic or guaranteed. If a sponsor has withdrawn or is threatening to, it's worth getting individual legal advice as early as possible to understand exactly where the sponsorship application stands and what, if any, alternative options might realistically apply given the specific facts.