Inland vs. Outside Canada spousal sponsorship
If your spouse or common-law partner lives with you in Canada, then you have two options to sponsor them. However, you must know the differences before deciding which one to choose. This article compares Inland and Outside Canada spousal sponsorship options.
What are inland and outside Canada spousal sponsorship options?
The following articles explain these two options in detail:
The rest of this article assumes you are familiar with the basics. Of course, my recommendation is to read those articles first.
Comparing inland and outside Canada, spousal sponsorship options
| Key issues | Inland Spousal Applications | Outside Canada Spousal Applications |
| Who is the sponsor? | A Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada | A Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada |
| Who is the applicant? | A foreign national who is an eligible spouse or common-law partner | A foreign national who is an eligible spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner |
| Residency requirements for the applicant | Must reside in Canada and co-habit with the sponsor | May reside anywhere in this world. Co-habitation is not mandatory but helpful. |
| Application for an open work permit in Canada | Eligible | Eligible only if travelling to Canada and living with the sponsor. |
| Right to Appeal | Not eligible | Eligible |
| Processing time | It could vary but mostly between 9 and 18 months. | It could vary but mostly between 9 and 18 months. |
Which option to choose
If your spouse or common-law partner lives in Canada with you, you may choose either inland or outside Canada spousal options. Of course, you cannot choose both. Also, consider the limitations mentioned in the table. If your spouse or common-law partner lives outside Canada or doesn’t cohabit with you, your only option is the outside Canada sponsorship. For conjugal partners, your only option is an outside-Canada sponsorship application. Of course, you may consult with a professional to better explore your options.
Let us help!
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Al Parsai, LLM, MA, RCIC-IRB
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Adjunct Professor, Queen’s University Faculty of Law
Instructor, Ashton College, Immigration Consulting Program
Author of 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada and Inadmissibility to Canada for Human Rights Violations
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