Inland Spousal Sponsorship: Your Guide to a Successful Application

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.

However, the application process can be complex, so it's important to understand the eligibility requirements, application process, and document checklist to ensure a successful application.

What is Inland Sponsorship for Canadian Immigration purposes?​

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

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.

​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).​

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.​

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?​

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​

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​​

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.

It's important to complete each step accurately and thoroughly to avoid delays or rejection of your application. Hiring an immigration lawyer or consultant can be helpful in navigating the process and ensuring that your application is complete and error-free.

Document Checklist

To apply for Inland Spousal Sponsorship, you'll need to submit a variety of documents to prove your eligibility and the genuineness of your relationship. These may include:

• Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency

• Proof of marriage or common-law partnership

• Police certificates from all countries where you have lived for more than six months since the age of 18

• Proof of financial support

• Proof of language proficiency

• Biometrics

Make sure to review the full document checklist provided by the Canadian government to ensure that you have all the required documents before submitting your application.

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:

​

• 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:

​

• 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

Financial Support

To be eligible for Inland Spousal Sponsorship, you must be able to demonstrate that you can financially support your spouse or common-law partner. This means that you must meet the minimum necessary income requirement, which varies depending on the size of your family unit. If you can't meet the requirement on your own, you may be able to combine your income with that of your spouse or common-law partner to meet the requirement.

Biometrics

Biometrics are a mandatory part of the Inland Spousal Sponsorship application process. This involves providing fingerprints and a photo at a designated biometrics collection service point. You'll need to pay a fee and bring identification documents to your appointment.

Interview

In some cases, you may be required to attend an interview as part of the Inland Spousal Sponsorship application process. The interview is designed to verify the genuineness of your relationship and your eligibility as a sponsor. You'll be asked a variety of questions about your relationship and your personal circumstances.

Visa Office

The visa office responsible for processing your Inland Spousal Sponsorship application will depend on your location in Canada. Make sure to determine which visa office is responsible for your application and follow their instructions carefully.

Medical Examination

A medical examination is a mandatory part of the Inland Spousal Sponsorship application process. This involves undergoing a physical exam and providing a medical history to a designated panel physician. You'll need to pay a fee and bring identification documents to your appointment.

Sponsorship Breakdown

If your relationship breaks down during the Inland Spousal Sponsorship application process, it can have serious consequences for your application. If your spouse or common-law partner withdraws their sponsorship, or if the relationship ends before they receive permanent residency, the application may be refused.

However, there are some options available if your relationship breaks down during the application process. If the breakdown is due to abuse or neglect, you may be eligible for a public policy exemption, which would allow you to continue with the application despite the breakdown of the relationship. Alternatively, you may be able to switch to the Outland Spousal Sponsorship program, which allows you to apply for permanent residency from outside of Canada.

If you're unsure about your options or how to proceed in the event of a relationship breakdown, it's important to seek the advice of an immigration lawyer or consultant who can provide guidance and support.