If you are interested in the Spousal Sponsorship Canada program, there are some facts you need to know before starting your application. This program is one of the most popular immigration pathways to welcome newcomers every year, and you can make it in two different ways.
Depending on your circumstances, you can choose the Inland Spousal Sponsorship or the Outland Spousal Sponsorship. Either one of those options may be the best option for you and your partner. As always, both ways have pros and cons, and we will explain them in this article.
What is the Spousal Sponsorship Program?
This program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their partners to live in Canada. Indeed, family reunification is an essential aspect for the Canadian government, and they know how critical it is for families to be together. Then, Spousal Sponsorships are an immigration priority.
As we mentioned before, there are two different ways to sponsor your spouse to move permanently to Canada. Then, it can be while your partner is living in Canada or outside Canada.
In-land Spousal Sponsorship:
It is a standard option for Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents whose spouse/common-law Partner is physically in Canada and they live together at the time of the application.
Indeed, this is a fabulous option because as a Permanent Resident applicant, one can apply for an Open Work Permit and work in Canada for any employer. Overall, they can stay living together in Canada while waiting for their PR Application.
This option was a pilot at the beginning. Then it became a permanent immigration policy.
Outside Canada Spousal Sponsorship Application:
On the other hand, applicants under this category may live in or outside Canada. Unlike the previous option, candidates can not apply for a Work Permit while waiting for their PR Application.
However, it is also a great option because it allows candidates to travel in and outside Canada for extended periods while processing their PR applications.
Spousal Sponsorship Outside Canada Processing Time
Overall, times may change from case to case. Most of the time, the average processing time of the spousal Sponsorship Outside Canada is 12 months.
In-Canada Spousal Sponsorship Work Permit
When you are sponsoring your partner under the Spousal sponsorship category in Canada, they are eligible to apply for an open work permit when they are applying for permanent residence. However, while their application is processed, they should maintain legal status in Canada and with for their work permit before start working.
What is your Best Option?
When you decide if applying under outland or inland, you first must consider where your spouse is living. If your spouse is not in Canada, you must do it through the outland sponsorship. The process usually takes 12 months to proceed.
While this program is for individuals living abroad, candidates residing in Canada may also apply for outland spousal sponsorship because it enables them to travel in and out of Canada while their application proceeds.
Otherwise, if your spouse is residing in Canada, you may apply for the Inland category. However, you should know that travelling abroad is allowed but not recommended.
How to Prove your Relationship:
To qualify under the Spousal Sponsorship program in Canada, both candidates must meet several requirements. One of the most important is to prove your relationship is genuine.
Therefore, you will need to provide documents to support your entire relationship. Those documents can be phone records, text messages, social media, insurance policies, bank statements, pictures or travel itineraries.
