Inland or Outland Sponsorship
Inland Sponsorship
Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are already living with their spouses in Canada can apply to sponsor them through the inland spousal sponsorship stream of the family sponsorship program.
Inland spousal sponsorship gives applicants the ability to continue living in Canada while their application for permanent residence is processed. If the applicant’s temporary status document is not valid for the duration of the sponsorship processing period, they will need to apply for an extension, or a new status document, to maintain their legal status in Canada while their sponsorship application is being processed. Spousal sponsorship applications are processed within 12 months in the majority of cases. Traveling abroad while an inland sponsorship application is being processed is permitted, however, it is not recommended. In the event the sponsored person is denied re-entry into Canada for whatever reason, their sponsorship application may be deemed abandoned. If this happens, they will need to submit a new sponsorship application. If they are not legally residing in Canada, they will need to submit an outland spousal sponsorship application.
Inland Spousal Sponsorship Requirements
In order for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to be deemed eligible to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner, they must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada
- Be at least 18 years of age at the time of submitting their sponsorship application
- Not have received spousal sponsorship to Canada within the last five years
- Not be bankrupt, in prison, or charged with a serious offense
- Not be under a removal order, if they are a Canadian permanent resident
Outland Sponsorship
In a perfect world, spouses would not be kept apart by living in separate countries as their sponsorship application is being processed, but this is an unfortunate reality for many couples who are navigating the Canadian immigration process.
The outland spousal sponsorship stream of the family sponsorship program allows a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for Canadian permanent residence, regardless of where they are currently living. As part of Canada’s commitment to reuniting families as quickly as possible, most applications are processed within a 12-month period. While this program was designed for sponsored individuals living abroad, applicants residing in Canada may also choose to apply for outland spousal sponsorship, as it may enable them to travel in and out of Canada while their application is being processed.
Outland Spousal Sponsorship Requirements
Spousal sponsorship applications have eligibility requirements for both the Canadian sponsor and the individual being sponsored. Those wishing to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Not have received spousal sponsorship to Canada in the five years preceding their application
- Not be in prison, charged with a serious offense, or bankrupt
- Not be under a deportation order, if they are a Canadian permanent resident
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