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Canada Immigration - Inland Spousal Sponsorship

The inland spousal sponsorship route is a path open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have foreign partners living in the country under a valid temporary residency permit, such as a work permit, student visa, or temporary visitor visa. Unless these individuals are granted permanent residence, they must depart from Canada when their current status lapses. Yet, applicants whose permanent resident applications are pending can submit a spousal open work permit application that permits them to remain in Canada and take up employment until their permanent residence application decision is made.

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The Inland Spousal Sponsorship application for  common-law partners or spouses is a part of the Family Class category, through which Canada welcomes a substantial number of new permanent residents annually.

quick facts

  • Processing time: 12 - 27 months​

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  • Fees: C$1135.00

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  • Outland Sponsorship - Sponsor your partner who is outside Canada

 

  • Minimum age of sponsor: 18 years

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  • Sponsor must be Canadian citizen of Permanent Resident

What is Inland Sponsorship Canadian Immigration?

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Through inland sponsorship, Canadians and permanent residents can sponsor a loved one, as long as the couple is living together legally in Canada.

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To apply under Inland sponsorship, the foreign spouse or common-law partner must also have a valid temporary status in Canada as a worker, student, or visitor. During the time that an Inland sponsorship application is being processed, the person who is being sponsored can still live, work, or go to school in Canada.

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In order for the sponsored person to get a Canadian PR visa through Inland sponsorship, both the Canadian citizen or permanent resident and the foreign national must be approved by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

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The spouse or partner may be able to get an open work permit, which will let them work full-time in Canada while their application for permanent residence is being processed. This is one of the main benefits of submitting an Inland sponsorship application.

Having an Open Work Permit (OWP) can help ease the financial and emotional burden of a long application process. It also lets your spouse or partner work and join the Canadian labour market.

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Most of the time, people who want to apply for Inland sponsorship will stay in Canada while their application is being processed. Outland sponsorship may be a better choice if the spouse or common-law partner doesn't plan to stay in Canada or needs to be able to travel outside the country while the application is being processed.

Who can apply for inland spousal sponsorship?

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To be able to sponsor a family member or friend under the "Inland" category, you must meet these conditions:

  • your spouse or partner must live with you in Canada, and

  • your spouse or partner must have temporary resident status in Canada.

 

There are also a few basic requirements that both the sponsor and the person being sponsored must meet in order to qualify for Inland sponsorship:

  • the sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

  • both the sponsor and the person being sponsored must be at least 18 years old.

  • the sponsor and the person being sponsored must have one of the following relationships:

    • spouse: you are legally married, and your marriage is valid under both Canadian law and the law of the place where it was registered.

    • Common-law: You have lived with your partner in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 months in a row;

  • the person being sponsored has not been sponsored by their spouse in Canada in the five years before their application;

  • neither spouse is in prison, has been charged with a serious crime, or is bankrupt.

 

Conjugal partnerships, which are relationships between two people who can't live together or get married because of religious or marital status rules, are not eligible for sponsorship by the Inland Revenue.

Inland spousal sponsorship application process

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There are two parts to an application for an inland sponsorship:

  • To become a sponsor, the Canadian citizen or permanent resident will have to fill out an application;

  • The foreign spouse or partner will have to fill out an application to live there permanently.

 

These are the other steps to the application process:

  • checking the eligibility of both the sponsor and the person being sponsored,

  • paying any fees online,

  • gathering any supporting documents,

  • filling out the necessary forms, and sending them to the right visa office.

 

Most of the time, people who want to apply for Inland sponsorship will stay in Canada while their application is being processed. Outland sponsorship may be a better choice if the spouse or common-law partner doesn't plan to stay in Canada or needs to be able to travel outside the country while the application is being processed.

Steps to apply for Spousal Sponsorship application to Canada​

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  • Step 1: Get the application package from the government website. It has a guide, instructions, forms, and a checklist that will help you do everything right.

  • Step 2: Pay online all application fees (application fees, right of permanent residence fees, biometric fees).

  • Step 3: Fill out and sign all of the necessary forms.

  • Step 4: Follow the steps in the guide you downloaded to send your application to the right visa office and mailing address in Canada.

  • Step 5: While your application is being looked over, you may be asked to send in more proof.

On what grounds can my Spousal Sponsorship application to Canada be refused?

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Always remember that the burden of proof lies with the applicant. The immigration department of Canada will make a decision on proof that they find genuine and authentic. If for any reasons, an assessing officer doubts that you marriage is purely a marriage of convenience, your application will be denied.

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Here are some of the main reasons why your application could be refused:

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  1. You did not provide enough proof of relationship to prove it is legitimate;

  2. There were errors in the Canadian spousal sponsorship forms;

  3. There was a misrepresentation of facts presented in your application;

  4. You are unable to meet basic requirements for spousal sponsorship;

  5. You or your partner are inadmissible due to a conviction or pose a risk to Canadian society.

How can I prove that my marriage/relationship is genuine?

 

If you are sponsoring your spouse, then the following proof of your relationship will be required:

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  • Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation questionnaire

  • Marriage certificate (see common-law if you are not married)

  • Wedding invitations and photos

  • Birth certificates or adoption records for any children you and your spouse have together

  • Proof of registration of marriage with a government authority

 

And at least two of the following documents:

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  • Proof that you and your spouse own property together

  • Shared bank accounts, 

  • Utility bills with both of your names, 

  • Copies of government-issued IDs, 

  • Car insurance, 

  • Pay stubs or tax forms that show that you live at the same address

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Sponsor your Dependent Child(ren)

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You can sponsor your dependent children, whether natural or adopted, to live with you as permanent residents in Canada.

 

Children must meet the following definition of a dependent child to be eligible for sponsorship:

  • A child is considered a dependent if he or she is not married or in a common-law relationship and is under 22 years of age.

  • If a child is over 22 years of age, they may be considered a dependent if they have a physical or mental condition that prevents them from being able to support themselves.

 

To be eligible under this program, you:

  • and your child abroad must be approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to receive a visa,

  • must prove your relationship with the child you are sponsoring, either by a birth or adoption certificate.

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Need help in applying for Sponsorship? Hire an authorized paid representative.

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IMMERGITY Immigration Consultant are very experienced with the application process and can help you navigate the system. We will also provide valuable insights and tips on how to increase your chances of success. Get in touch now.

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If you're thinking of hiring a representative, be sure to check that they're authorized by IRCC. You can verify our credentials by clicking here.

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Hiring a representative is not required, but it can be helpful, especially if you're not familiar with the application process. If you decide to hire a representative, be sure to choose someone who you trust and who you feel comfortable working with.

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