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Difference between Inland and Outland Spousal Sponsorship: Everyone is looking up to immigrate to Canada with their family around the World. There are two options for you to immigrate to Canada, one is through Outland Spousal Sponsorship and the other one is Inland Spousal Sponsorship. In this article, we will look that What is the difference between Inland and Outland Spousal Sponsorship, so that you may apply for Sponsorship which suits you or we can say is good for you.

Firstly, we have to look at What are the steps to sponsor your partner or spouse through Outland or either Inland Sponsorship.

Canadian Permanent Residents or Citizens who are in relationship or in touch with any of the Foreign National can sponsor that person and join them and can become a Canadian Permanent Resident. You can sponsor your conjugal partner, common-law partner or your Spouse.

There are two ways that you can choose while Sponsoring your Partner or your Spouse: First is, Outland Sponsorship and Second one is Inland Sponsorship.

Let’s have a look on both of these Sponsorship Programs one by one:

Outland Sponsorship

Outland sponsorship is a Sponsorship Program for couples who are not staying together in Canada. This Sponsorship application is only for the foreign nationals who are staying abroad and their Canadian Partner or Spouse, sponsor them. If your partner or spouse is not able to apply by staying in Canada only or is not living in Canada legally at the time of filling the application, then outland sponsorship is the only available option.

To be eligible under the Outland application category, the Sponsored Person and Sponsor must meet some criteria:

• The sponsor person must be a Canadian Permanent Resident or Citizen
• The sponsored person and sponsor person must be at least 18 years;
• The sponsored person and sponsor sponsored person must have relation in some below mentioned relationships with each other:

  Conjugal partnership: You are in a committed and ongoing relationship for 12 months but due to some factors which are beyond your control, like your marital status or immigration barrier, you cannot stay together.

Spouse: In this relationship you are married legally and your marriage is registered under the law of the jurisdiction, where your marriage is registered under Canadian law.

Common law: You have cohabited with your partner in a marriage for 12 consecutive months.

• The Sponsored person or sponsor person must not be charged for any kind of bankruptcy or any other offense.
• The sponsor person must not have sponsored his/her spouse in Canada in the 5 years preceding the sponsorship application.

It is very important to keep in mind that if you are in a conjugal relationship, then the Outland Sponsorship application is one of the best options available for you as conjugal relationships are only eligible under Outland Sponsorship not eligible under the Inland Sponsorship.

If the sponsored person requires them to travel outside Canada, then Outland Sponsorship is the best option as during the application process, Outland Sponsorship allows travel to and from Canada.

Inland Sponsorship

Another Sponsorship program is for those couples who are living together in Canada, that is Inland sponsorship. Application for this Inland Sponsorship program is for foreign partners or spouses who have temporary status (Valid) in Canada, either as a visitor, student or worker. The sponsored person will be able to study, work or live in Canada while his/her Inland sponsorship application is under process. Here you may know how to get Canada Study Visa.

To sponsor a partner or spouse under this Inland application category, the sponsored person and sponsor must meet below criteria:

• The sponsor must be a Canadian permanent resident or Citizen
• The sponsored person and Sponsor must be 18 years of age
• The sponsored person and sponsor must be in any of the below mentioned relationships:

  Common-law: You have cohabited with your spouse or partner in a marriage for 12 consecutive months.

  Spouse: In this case, You are married legally, and your marriage is valid and registered  under the law of the jurisdiction under Canadian law;

• The sponsor person must not have sponsored his/her spouse in Canada in the 5 years preceding the sponsorship application.
• The Sponsored person or sponsor person must not be charged for any kind of bankruptcy or any other offense.

The major benefit of Inland Sponsorship is that the sponsored person gets eligible for Canadian open work permit, this open work permit allows them to work full-time in Canada while their Inland Sponsorship permanent resident application goes under process.

If the sponsored person is not able to stay in Canada or needs to travel somewhere while the Inland Sponsorship application is under process, then Outland Sponsorship is the better option.

Where do I submit my spousal sponsorship application?

You can Submit your Spousal Sponsorship Application  at a Visa Office if you are staying outside Canada or if you are  in Canada, you can submit your application at a local immigration office.

How long does it take to process Inland and Outland Spousal Sponsorship applications?

IRCC takes a period of around 12 months to proceed with these Spousal Sponsorship Applications.

Summary:

1. Inland: Couples in Canada
2. Outland: Couples abroad
3. Travel allowed (Outland)
4. Open work permit (Inland)
5. Age and relationship criteria
6. 12-month processing time