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Immigration to Canada offers a pathway for Canadians and permanent residents to sponsor their spouses or common-law partners for permanent residency, no matter their current location worldwide. This page provides essential insights to help you decide if this sponsorship process aligns with your immigration goals in Canada, ensuring you have the best opportunity to achieve a successful move.
Outland sponsorship is a pathway for foreign nationals residing outside Canada to be sponsored by their Canadian spouse or partner for permanent residency. This option differs from Inland sponsorship, which requires couples to live together within Canada.
For those unable to apply for spousal sponsorship from within Canada, Outland sponsorship may be the most suitable route. If your partner is outside Canada and not legally present at the time of application, Outland sponsorship could be your only choice. As of 2023, certain individuals sponsored through Outland sponsorship may qualify for an open work permit (OWP) while they wait for their application to be processed.
Even applicants currently residing in Canada can choose the Outland sponsorship route. This option provides the flexibility to travel in and out of Canada during the application process. It can be beneficial for those whose work or personal circumstances require frequent travel.
To obtain a Canadian permanent resident visa through Outland sponsorship, both the Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is sponsoring, and the foreign national being sponsored must receive approval from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
If you’re considering sponsoring a loved one through the Outland sponsorship category with Immigration to Canada, there are specific criteria that both the sponsor and the sponsored individual need to satisfy:
You are legally married, with your marriage being valid in both the jurisdiction where it was registered and under Canadian law.
You reside together or have lived together in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months.
You have been in a committed relationship for at least 12 months but are unable to live together due to legal constraints or other significant factors, like immigration barriers or marital status.
Outland sponsorship is a unique pathway under Canada’s Family Class immigration program, allowing you to sponsor a loved one from outside the country. This process involves several essential steps to ensure a successful sponsorship application.
Firstly, both parties need to verify their eligibility. The Canadian citizen or permanent resident must apply to become a sponsor, while the foreign spouse or partner will need to apply for permanent residence (PR). The process includes gathering necessary supporting documents, completing the required forms, and submitting them to the designated visa office.
Sponsoring a foreign spouse or partner involves several important steps. Here’s a simplified guide to help you through the sponsorship process:
Get the Application Package: Visit the official government website to download the application package. This package includes a detailed guide and necessary forms to complete the sponsorship process accurately.
Pay the Application Fees: Ensure that all required fees are paid online to proceed with the application.
Fill Out the Forms: Complete and sign all necessary forms. It’s important to verify if additional country-specific forms are needed based on the residency of your spouse or partner.
Submit Your Application: Send the completed application to the correct visa office and ensure it’s directed to the proper mailing address in Canada, as guided by the instructions in the application package.
Note that if you plan to reside in Quebec, you will need to follow additional immigration procedures specific to that province.
In 2023, Immigration to Canada and the IRCC have updated their Open Work Permit (OWP) guidelines, making it possible for qualified individuals under the Outland sponsorship program to obtain OWPs while their applications are being processed. This policy also extends to the dependent children of those being sponsored through the Outland sponsorship route.
Individuals applying for sponsorship and seeking an OWP may qualify if they meet the following criteria:
Eligibility Criteria for Spouses and Partners:
To apply for a work permit, applicants must ensure:
Eligibility for Dependent Children:
If the applicant is a dependent child of a sponsored individual, they must meet certain criteria. The principal applicant being sponsored must:
Moreover, the dependent child applying for the work permit must also reside with both the principal applicant and the sponsor.
Applicants may submit their OWP applications at any point during their sponsorship application process. For those desiring the earliest possible receipt of their work permit, it is recommended to submit both the OWP and sponsorship applications simultaneously.
At Immigration to Canada, we understand that the process of sponsoring your spouse can be both exciting and challenging. Our goal is to make this journey as smooth as possible for you. Currently, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to process spousal sponsorship applications in about 12 months. This processing time includes fulfilling requirements like providing biometrics and reviewing the eligibility of both the sponsor and the sponsored individual.
Once you submit your application, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt from the IRCC. The first step involves assessing the eligibility of the sponsor, a process that typically takes around 4 months. Afterward, the focus shifts to evaluating the sponsored individual’s application for permanent residence, which generally takes about 6 months to complete.
The primary distinction lies in the location and residency status of the applicant. Outland sponsorship applications are typically submitted from outside Canada, for partners and spouses residing in another country. These applications are processed by the visa office in the applicant’s home country, although they can also be filed from within Canada in some cases. Conversely, the Inland sponsorship process requires both partners to live together in Canada. The forms and documentation requirements differ between Outland and Inland sponsorship applications.
Both sponsorship options provide a means for foreign nationals to join their loved ones in Canada, but each has distinct pros and cons. Inland sponsorship is suitable for couples where the sponsored person is already in Canada. It is limited to spouses and common-law partners, who must remain in Canada during processing. Outland sponsorship is typically for partners living outside Canada, but it can also be chosen by those in Canada wishing to travel in and out during the application process. This flexibility might make Outland sponsorship preferable for those who need to travel.
Yes, applicants can travel as visitors while their Outland application is being processed. Depending on their home country, a valid visitor visa may be necessary. However, even with a visitor visa, entry into Canada is not guaranteed, as immigration officials have the discretion to refuse entry if deemed necessary. Applicants are considered regular foreign visitors during the application processing period.
Indeed, Quebec has its own specific immigration regulations. If you are a resident of Quebec, you must satisfy additional provincial eligibility criteria to sponsor your partner or spouse. Here's an overview of the process:
Historically, Outland sponsorship applications were processed more quickly by the respective visa offices, with timeframes varying by country. However, recent changes by the Canadian government have aligned the processing times for both Outland and Inland sponsorship applications, making them comparable in duration.
Yes, you can apply for Outland sponsorship even if you are currently in Canada with your Canadian spouse or partner. Although the Outland process traditionally applies to those outside Canada, it is also suitable for those in Canada who need to travel regularly. Unlike with Inland sponsorships, where traveling might jeopardize the application, Outland sponsorship allows your spouse or partner to leave and re-enter Canada as a visitor while the application is pending.
Yes, if you're a Canadian citizen living abroad, you can sponsor your loved one. However, you must demonstrate your intention to return and reside in Canada once your partner obtains permanent residency. On the other hand, if you hold Canadian permanent resident status and are living outside Canada, you are not eligible to sponsor a spouse or partner for permanent residency in Canada.
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