If you are married to or in a relationship with a foreign national and are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may sponsor that person to move to Canada and become a permanent resident.
You may sponsor a spouse, a common-law partner, or a conjugal partner either through Inland or Outland sponsorship.
Inland Sponsorship
When your spouse or partner is residing with you in Canada, inland sponsorship may be an option.
The sponsor and sponsored both need to fulfill the following standards in order to be eligible for Inland sponsorship:
- The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- The sponsor and sponsored person must be at least 18 years of age
- The sponsor must not have sponsored someone else in Canada in the five years prior to the current application
- The sponsor and sponsored person must not be in prison, charged with a serious offense or is bankrupt
Furthermore, the sponsor and sponsored person must be in one of the following types of relationships:
- Spouse: you are legally married, and your marriage is valid under the law of the jurisdiction where it was registered and under Canadian law
- Common-law: you are cohabiting or have cohabited with your partner in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months.
It should be noted that if you are in a relationship, you cannot apply for inland sponsorship. Given that romantic partnerships are ineligible for inland sponsorship, your sole alternative is outland sponsorship.
Applications for inland sponsorship are made for spouses or partners who have a lawful temporary status in Canada, such as that of a visitor, student, or employee. While the application for sponsorship is being completed, the sponsored individual may still reside, pursue their education, or find employment in Canada.
While their sponsorship application is being handled, the sponsored individual may also be qualified for an open work visa, which would allow them to work continuously in Canada.
The sponsored person is anticipated to stay in Canada while their application is being reviewed, it is vital to emphasize. Outland sponsorship might be a better choice if the sponsored individual needs to be allowed to travel while the application is being processed or has intentions to leave Canada.
Outland Sponsorship
When your spouse or partner is a foreign national residing outside of Canada, outland sponsorship may be an option. Outland sponsorship is probably your only choice if your spouse or partner is unable to apply for sponsorship within Canada or does not reside in Canada at the time of the application.
The sponsor and sponsored person must fulfill the following standards in order to qualify for Outland sponsorship:
- The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- The sponsor and the sponsored person must be at least 18 years of age
- The sponsor must not have sponsored someone else in Canada in the five years prior to the current application
- The sponsor or sponsored person must not be in prison, charged with a serious offense or is bankrupt.
Outland sponsorship enables the sponsored individual to travel to and from Canada during the application process, making it the best choice if the sponsored individual must go abroad for business or personal reasons.
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