Canadian citizens and legal residents who are in a relationship with a foreigner may sponsor that individual for permanent residency in Canada. You may sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.
When sponsoring your spouse or partner, you have two primary options: Outland Sponsorship and Inland Sponsorship.
Outland Sponsorship
Outland sponsorship is a solution for couples not residing together in Canada. This application is for foreign citizens abroad who will be sponsored by their spouse or common-law partner in Canada.
Suppose your spouse or partner cannot apply from inside Canada or does not lawfully reside in Canada at the time of the application. In that case, outland sponsorship is generally the only option available.
To qualify to sponsor a spouse or partner under the Outland application type, both the sponsor and the sponsored individual must meet the following requirements:
- The sponsor must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
- Both the sponsor and the sponsored individual must be at least 18 years old;
- The sponsor and sponsored individual must have one of the following relationships: Your marriage is legitimate under the law of the jurisdiction where it was registered as well as Canadian law; Common law: you and your partner have cohabited for at least 12 continuous months in a marriage-like partnership. Conjugal partnership: you have been in a long-term, committed relationship for at least a year. Still, you cannot live together owing to conditions beyond your control, such as an immigration obstacle or your marital status.
- The sponsor cannot have sponsored a spouse in Canada within five years.
- The sponsor or sponsored individual cannot be incarcerated, charged with a heinous crime, or bankrupt.
- It is vital to know that if you are in a marital relationship, you can only apply for Outland Sponsorship because conjugal relationships are ineligible for Inland Sponsorship.
If the sponsored individual’s employment or personal circumstances necessitate travel outside the country, Outland Sponsorship may be the best option, as it permits to travel to and from Canada throughout the application process.
Inland Sponsorship
Couples living together in Canada may be eligible for inland sponsorship. This application is for foreign spouses or partners with valid temporary status as workers, students, or guests in Canada.
While processing the inland sponsorship application, the sponsored individual may continue to reside, work, or study in Canada.
- To be qualified to sponsor a spouse or partner under the Inland category, both the sponsor and the sponsored individual must meet the following requirements:
- The sponsor should be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; both the sponsor and the sponsored individual must be at least 18 years old, and the sponsor and sponsored individual must have one of the following relationships:
- Your marriage is legitimate under the law of the jurisdiction where it was registered as well as Canadian law; Common-law marriage: you and your partner have cohabited in a marriage-like relationship for a minimum of 12 consecutive months.
- The sponsor cannot have sponsored a spouse in Canada within five years.
- The sponsor or sponsored individual cannot be imprisoned, charged with a serious crime, or bankrupt.
- The sponsored individual may be eligible for an open work visa, allowing them to work full-time in Canada while completing their permanent residency application.
The sponsored individual is expected to stay in Canada while processing their application. If the sponsored individual does not intend to remain in Canada or must be able to travel while the application is being reviewed, Outland Sponsorship may be a more suitable alternative.
Where do I submit my application for spousal sponsorship?
Sponsorship applications may be submitted outside of Canada at a visa office or inside Canada at a local immigration department. Sponsorship applications for marital partners must be submitted through a process outside Canada.
How long does it take to process applications for Outland and Inland Sponsorship?
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) goal processing time for spouse sponsorship is approximately one year.
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