Outland Spousal Sponsorship

The Outland Spousal Sponsorship Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner who is living outside of Canada to become a permanent resident. This program supports family reunification and provides a clear pathway for couples separated by borders to live together in Canada.

Key Features

• Eligibility: The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada. The spouse or partner being sponsored must reside outside of Canada at the time of application.
• Genuine Relationship Proof: The sponsor must provide evidence of a real and ongoing relationship, such as marriage certificates, communication records, photos, and shared financial documents.
• Application Processing: Outland applications are processed at Canadian visa offices abroad, which handle the assessment of the sponsored partner’s eligibility and admissibility.
• Visitor Access: The sponsored partner may apply for a temporary resident visa (TRV) or electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to visit Canada while their sponsorship is being processed.
• Permanent Residency: Once approved, the sponsored spouse or partner obtains Permanent Resident (PR) status and can live, work, and study anywhere in Canada.

Eligibility Criteria

• The sponsor must be at least 18 years old and capable of supporting their spouse or partner financially.
• The relationship must be genuine and legally valid (married, common-law, or conjugal).
• Both sponsor and applicant must have no criminal or immigration violations that would make them inadmissible.
• The sponsor must not be receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability.
• Both parties must intend to live together permanently in Canada after approval.

Application Process

1. Step 1: The sponsor submits a sponsorship application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) along with relationship evidence and required documents.
2. Step 2: The sponsored spouse or partner submits their application for permanent residence to the relevant Canadian visa office abroad.
3. Step 3: Both applications are processed concurrently, including background, medical, and security checks.
4. Step 4: Once approved, the applicant receives a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and can travel to Canada to obtain PR status.

Advantages of Outland Sponsorship

• Faster processing times compared to some inland sponsorship applications.
• Sponsored partners can travel in and out of Canada during processing if they hold valid visas.
• Eligible for family reunification and access to full PR benefits once approved.
• Option to appeal a refusal through the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) if necessary.