Do you have to move to Canada to sponsor your spouse? What sponsors and applicants need to know
Sponsoring a spouse or partner to become a permanent resident of Canada raises an immediate question: must the sponsor live in Canada to bring their loved one over? The short answer is: it depends. The choice between Inland (in-Canada) and Outland (outside-Canada) spousal sponsorship routes, along with the sponsor’s own status (Canadian citizen vs. permanent resident), determines whether relocation is required and how freely the sponsored person can travel during processing.
This article breaks down both pathways, who can sponsor from where, practical effects on travel and work rights, timelines, appeal rights, financial obligations, and step-by-step advice so you can pick the route that best fits your situation.
Two sponsorship routes: Inland versus Outland — the core differences
Inland Sponsorship (Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class)
- Available only when both sponsor and sponsored person are living together in Canada at the time the application is submitted.
- Typically used by couples already co-habiting in Canada — for example, when one partner has temporary status (study, work or visitor) or has applied to remain.
- The sponsored partner can apply for an open spousal work permit (if eligible) and generally remains in Canada while the permanent-residence application is processed.
- Travel is risky: leaving Canada during processing can jeopardize the sponsored person’s ability to re-enter, especially if they need a temporary resident visa to return. Applicants without visa-exempt travel status should avoid leaving until a final decision is made.
- No right of appeal if the sponsorship decision is refused (limited judicial review may be possible in exceptional cases).
- Current processing times are variable; at the time of writing Inland files average longer processing than some Outland streams (approximate published targets hover around 20 months but vary by case complexity and IRCC workload).
Outland Sponsorship (Family Class — Outside Canada)
- Intended for sponsorship when the sponsored person lives outside Canada, but it can also be used by couples who are in Canada.
- Canadian citizens may submit Outland sponsorship applications while they themselves live abroad — provided they can demonstrate a genuine plan to return to Canada to live with the sponsored spouse if the application succeeds. Permanent residents generally must be living in Canada to sponsor.
- The sponsored person enjoys greater travel freedom while their application is processed; they can generally travel in and out of Canada without jeopardizing their application, subject to normal visa rules.
- Outland applicants retain the right to appeal refusals to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) in many cases, a major advantage over the Inland route.
- Typical Outland processing times can be faster in some visa offices and are currently around 14 months on average, but actual timing depends on location and workload.
Who can sponsor from where: citizenship and residency rules
- Canadian citizens: Can sponsor a spouse or partner from inside or outside Canada. If sponsoring from abroad (Outland), citizens must show credible intent to return to Canada to live with the sponsored person once permanent residence is granted. Proof can include a job offer, housing arrangements, enrollment records, or strong family ties.
- Permanent residents (PRs): Must normally reside in Canada at the time of application and throughout processing to sponsor a spouse — PRs cannot ordinarily sponsor someone while living outside of Canada.
- Registered Indians under the Indian Act can sponsor under similar residency rules as citizens and PRs.
- Quebec residents: Sponsorship to Quebec involves parallel provincial procedures; sponsors must meet Quebec’s specific requirements and sign any provincial undertaking as directed by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).
Travel, work and status during processing — what to expect
Travel:
- Inland route: travel outside Canada while the application is in process is risky. If the sponsored partner needs a visa to return, they may not be allowed back in. Even visa-exempt travellers should consider re-entry implications if their status or pending applications could affect entry.
- Outland route: Sponsored applicants generally have more freedom to travel. They can attend visa interviews at local visa offices and enter Canada for temporary visits if they meet entry requirements.
Work and study:
- Inland applicants who obtain an open spousal work permit can work for any employer while awaiting a final decision. This is a major practical benefit for those already in Canada.
- Outland applicants normally cannot obtain a spousal open work permit until they are physically in Canada with appropriate temporary status and authorization, unless they secure alternative work authorization.
Appeals and refusal rights:
- Inland: limited recourse if refused — sponsorship refusals under the Inland class are typically not appealable to the IAD.
- Outland: refusal rights usually include the ability to appeal to the IAD on humanitarian and compassionate grounds in many sponsorship refusal scenarios.
Financial undertaking: what sponsoring really means
All sponsors must sign a legally binding undertaking committing to financially support their sponsored spouse or partner for three years from the date they become a permanent resident. Key points:
- The sponsor must demonstrate the ability to provide basic needs (housing, food, clothing).
- If the sponsored person receives public social assistance during the undertaking period, the sponsor may need to repay those benefits and could be barred from sponsoring others until repayment is made.
- Undertakings cannot normally be withdrawn once a final decision has been issued; they survive separation in most cases and are enforceable.
- Sponsorship obligations and income assessments for Quebec differ — Quebec requires a provincial undertaking process and income verification.
Choosing between Inland and Outland: practical decision points
- Do you already live together in Canada? If yes, Inland may make sense—especially if the sponsored partner can get a spousal open work permit and needs to stay and work.
- Do you or your partner need to travel during processing? If travel is essential, Outland usually offers greater flexibility.
- Are you a permanent resident living outside Canada? You generally must return to Canada to sponsor; Outland from abroad is typically only available to Canadian citizens.
- Do you value appeal rights? If yes, favor Outland for the ability to appeal refusals.
- Is speed and certainty of processing your priority? Processing times vary by visa office and individual circumstances; Outland can sometimes be faster depending on where the sponsored person is applying from. Inland processing lets the applicant stay in Canada but can take longer.
- Risk tolerance and family plans: Consider whether leaving or staying in Canada aligns with work, study and family responsibilities — and whether you can present convincing evidence of intent to live in Canada (citizen sponsors applying from abroad).
Real-world examples
Inland example: A Canadian permanent resident living in Toronto is married to a temporary worker who holds a valid employer-specific work permit in Canada. They live together. The PR sponsor submits an Inland sponsorship application. The spouse applies for an open work permit and continues working in Canada while their PR file is processed. They avoid travel to prevent re-entry risk.
Outland example: A Canadian citizen living and working in New York marries an American spouse. The couple chooses Outland sponsorship so the spouse can travel freely for work and family obligations during processing. The sponsor provides evidence of plans to return to Canada after approval (job offer and temporary housing), and the spouse keeps their ability to travel as needed.
Practical checklist — documents and steps to prepare
- Confirm sponsor eligibility: age, status (citizen or PR), financial ability, and no disqualifying criminal or default history.
- Choose Inland or Outland based on residency, travel needs, and appeal priorities.
- Assemble relationship evidence: joint leases, photos, messages, travel records, affidavits, wedding certificates, and proof of cohabitation where required.
- Collect identity and civil documents: passports, birth certificates, proof of status for sponsor, and marriage or common-law documentation.
- If applying Inland: ensure the sponsored partner’s temporary status is valid and consider applying for an open work permit.
- If applying Outland from abroad: compile evidence showing the sponsor’s intention to return to Canada (job offers, housing, family ties).
- Prepare the financial undertaking: check any provincial-specific rules (Quebec) and ensure you can support the sponsored person for three years.
- Get professional help if complex: criminal convictions, previous sponsorships, or missing documents can complicate files — consult a regulated immigration professional if unsure.
Bottom line
You may have to move to Canada to sponsor your spouse — it depends on which route you choose and whether you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident. Outland sponsorship offers travel flexibility and appeal rights and can be used by citizens abroad who plan to return. Inland sponsorship lets couples living together in Canada apply while the sponsored partner works and stays in the country but limits travel and appeal options. Choosing the right pathway requires weighing travel needs, status, timing and family plans — and preparing strong documentation to support the sponsorship and the underlying relationship.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
