Suppose a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident shares a spousal relationship with a foreign national then he might even sponsor him or her to accompany them to Canada. They could even attain a status of permanent residency. Sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner is possible.
Two types of Sponsorships are available to sponsor the spouse and partner. These are Outland Sponsorship and Inland Sponsorship.
Outland Sponsorship
This type of Sponsorship applies to couples not living in partnership in Canada. Outland Sponsorship is meant for foreign nationals residing outside Canada and their Canadian spouse will be sponsoring them. Outland sponsorship is the most suitable alternative if the spouse isn’t living in Canada when applying and if he fails to apply from within Canada. Sponsoring one’s spouse through Outland Sponsorship will require you and your spouse to fulfill the following conditions:
- The one who is sponsoring must hold Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status.
- The person sponsoring and the one being sponsored; both must be 18 years old.
- The person who will sponsor and the sponsored person must share a spousal relationship through legal marriage. The marriage should be valid under Canadian law.
- Common-law-partner must be in a relationship similar to that of a marriage. The cohabitation of a minimum of 12 continuous months is a must.
- A Conjugal partner must be in a committed relationship with the individual carrying out the sponsorship for him. The relationship must be at least 12 months old, provided the two people aren’t staying together due to factors above your control. These factors could be anything from one’s marital status to migration hurdles.
- The sponsoring individual shouldn’t have sponsored his spouse previously (in the recent five years) in Canada following the application process.
- The sponsored and sponsoring individuals need not be imprisoned or under any bankruptcy or serious criminal activity.
Being in a Conjugal relationship, Outland Sponsorship is an option best suited for you because Inland Sponsorship doesn’t apply to the candidates in a conjugal relationship.
Outland Sponsorship provides an option of traveling outside Canada while the application process is in progress. This situation will apply to those sponsored individuals whose work or personal circumstances demand outside travel.
Inland Sponsorship
Couples living together in Canada can access the Inland Sponsorship because it applies to those partners or spouses who possess a temporary Canadian status that is authentic. They could be students, visitors, or workers. Inland Sponsorship will allow the sponsored individual to live and work in Canada even if their application is in progress.
The one who is sponsoring and the other who is being sponsored will have to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- The one who is sponsoring must hold Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status.
- The person sponsoring and the one being sponsored; both must be 18 years old.
- The person who will sponsor and the sponsored person must share a spousal relationship through legal marriage. The marriage should be valid under Canadian law.
- Common-law-partner must be in a relationship similar to that of a marriage. The cohabitation of a minimum of 12 continuous months is a must.
- A Conjugal partner must be in a committed relationship with the individual carrying out the sponsorship for him. The relationship must be at least 12 months old, provided the two people aren’t staying together due to factors that are above your control. These factors could be anything from one’s marital status to migration hurdles.
- The sponsoring individual shouldn’t have sponsored his spouse previously (in the recent five years) in Canada following the application process.
- The sponsored and sponsoring individuals need not be imprisoned or under any bankruptcy or serious criminal activity.
Inland Sponsorship makes you eligible for an Open Work Permit. An Open Work Permit provides both of them with an option to work in Canada full-time while processing their PR application. The sponsored individual can stay in Canada especially when his application is being processed. But if the sponsored individual seeks to travel outside Canada while the application is being processed, Outland Sponsorship will prove to be a better alternative.
Which is the right place to submit the Spousal Sponsorship application?
An individual sponsoring his spouse or partner might apply at a visa office not within Canada or at an immigration office located locally within Canada.
Conjugal partners can apply through Sponsorship applications through an outside procedure, not within Canada.
What is the processing time for Inland and Outland applications?
IRCC aims for a processing period of twelve months for spousal sponsorship.
