Inland Spousal Sponsorship in Canada This document provides an overview of the Inland Spousal Sponsorship program in Canada, It outlines the Sponsorship program's purpose under family class, "eligibility requirements Inland Spousal Sponsorship", application process Inland Spousal Sponsorship, processing times Inland Spousal Sponsorship, and other relevant information. Inland Spousal Sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their spouses or common-law partners for permanent residency, provided the sponsored person is currently living in Canada with valid temporary resident status.
Key Themes and Ideas of Inland Spousal Sponsorship:
Purpose of Inland Sponsorship: The Inland Spousal Sponsorship program is designed to allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouses or common-law partners who are already living legally in Canada under a temporary resident status (such as a work permit, student visa or visitor visa). This pathway offers the sponsored person the ability to apply for an open work permit to work while waiting for their permanent residence application to be processed.
"Through inland spousal sponsorship, Canadians and permanent residents can sponsor a loved one, as long as the couple is living together legally in Canada."
Eligibility Requirements for Inland Spousal Sponsorship: Both the sponsor and the sponsored person must meet specific criteria to be eligible for inland sponsorship.
Sponsor Requirements:Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must be financially capable of supporting the sponsored person.
Sponsored Person Requirements:Must be living with the sponsor in Canada.
Must have valid temporary resident status in Canada.
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must have a valid spousal or common-law relationship with the sponsor.
Cannot have been sponsored by a spouse in the five years prior to application.
Cannot be in prison, charged with a serious crime, or 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
Relationship Definitions:
Spouse: Legally married, and the marriage must be valid under Canadian law and the law of the place of registration.
Common-law: Living with your partner in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months.
Application Process for Inland Spousal Sponsorship:
The application process involves two parts: the sponsor's application and the sponsored person's application for permanent residency.
Steps include:
Getting the application package from the IRCC website.
Paying application fees.
Completing and signing all required forms.
Gathering and submitting supporting documents.
Submitting the application to the correct visa office.
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."
Open Work Permit: A key advantage of inland sponsorship is the possibility for the sponsored person to obtain an open work permit.
Quote: "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."
This helps ease the financial burden and allows the partner to participate in the Canadian labour market while the application is being processed.
Inland vs. Outland Sponsorship:
Inland: The sponsored person is in Canada during the application.
Outland: The sponsored person is outside of Canada during the application process.
Outland sponsorship is recommended if the sponsored person does not want to remain in Canada during processing or requires freedom to travel.
Processing Times Inland Spousal Sponsorship:
Estimated processing time is between 12-27 months. However, this can vary depending on several factors such as application volume, application completeness, country of origin of the sponsored person, and complexity of the case.
The Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) for spousal sponsorship is typically received within a few weeks of submitting the application.
It takes about 3-5 months to receive an inland spousal open work permit.
Applicants are encouraged to respond promptly to requests for additional information or documents to avoid delays.
Stages of Inland Sponsorship:
First Stage: IRCC assesses the sponsor's eligibility and the legitimacy of the relationship. If approved in principle, the sponsored person can apply for an open work permit.
During the first stage, IRCC assesses the sponsor's eligibility and the genuineness of the relationship. This assessment may include evaluating the length of the relationship, the couple's living arrangements, financial ties, and communication between the partners."
Second Stage: IRCC assesses the sponsored person's admissibility, including background checks, medical examinations, language proficiency, and potential interviews. If successful, the sponsored person is granted permanent residence.
Proving a Genuine Relationship: Applicants must provide evidence to prove the legitimacy of their relationship. This includes:
Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation questionnaire
Marriage certificate (or proof of common-law relationship)
Wedding invitations and photos
Birth certificates or adoption records of children
Proof of shared property ownership, joint bank accounts, utility bills with both names, IDs, car insurance, or tax forms.
Grounds for Refusal Inland Spousal Sponsorship: Applications can be refused for several reasons:
Insufficient proof of relationship.
Errors in application forms.
Misrepresentation of facts.
Failure to meet basic eligibility requirements.
Inadmissibility due to convictions or security risks.
Sponsorship of Dependent Children: Sponsors can also sponsor their dependent children.
Children must be unmarried, not in a common-law relationship and under 22 years of age, unless they have a physical or mental disability that prevents them from supporting themselves.
Other Important Points Inland Spousal Sponsorship:
Leaving Canada during processing is not recommended, as it can complicate the application. Short absences with valid visas are generally permitted.
Permanent residents are allowed to buy property in Canada.
Proof of funds is not required, but the sponsor must demonstrate the ability to financially support their spouse.
Interviews may be required, depending on the case.
Background checks are conducted to verify criminal records, security risks, and admissibility. *The final step is the second stage approval, when IRCC assesses the sponsored person’s admissibility and grants permanent residence. This is followed by a two-year conditional period of cohabitation and maintained relationship.
Hiring an Immigration Representative:
The source material encourages applicants to consider hiring an authorized immigration representative, noting they can help navigate the complex application process and improve the chances of success.
Applicants are cautioned to verify that the representative is authorized by IRCC.
Key Facts and Figures Inland Spousal Sponsorship:
Processing time: 12 - 27 months
Fees: C$1135.00
Minimum sponsor age: 18 years
Open Work Permit Processing: 3-5 months
AOR receipt: Typically within a few weeks
Conclusion:
The "Inland Spousal Sponsorship program" provides a valuable pathway for couples to live together permanently in Canada. Understanding the eligibility requirements, the application process, and the processing timelines is crucial for a successful application. The information highlights the benefits of having an open work permit during the process, and the importance of providing evidence to prove the genuineness of the relationship. It also emphasises that the process can be complex, which is why the option of hiring a registered immigration representative exists.
Inland Spousal Sponsorship Canada 2025: A Comprehensive Guide
As a trusted immigration consultant, I’m here to simplify the Inland Spousal Sponsorship process for Canadian citizens and permanent residents seeking to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner living in Canada. This pathway allows couples to remain together while navigating the immigration process.
Stages of Inland Spousal Sponsorship:
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