Complete Canada Inland vs Outland Spousal Sponsorship Guide (2025)

Choosing between Inland and Outland is the most important decision in Canada’s spousal sponsorship process. This guide explains who qualifies, how each stream works, timelines, costs, documents, the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) option, appeal rights, and a practical step-by-step filing checklist.

Foundations of Spousal Sponsorship in Canada

  • Who can sponsor: Canadian citizens or permanent residents, age 18+, not on social assistance (except disability), living in Canada or able to prove intent to return upon approval.

  • Who can be sponsored: A spouse, common-law partner (12+ months continuous cohabitation), or conjugal partner (1+ year relationship with real barriers to marriage/cohabitation).

  • Core test: Relationship must be genuine and not primarily for immigration. Evidence quality matters more than quantity.

  • Financial role: There’s no minimum income cutoff, but sponsors sign a 3-year undertaking to support the partner and repay any social assistance received by the applicant.

  • Residence reality: Inland requires cohabitation in Canada during processing; Outland is processed by a visa office abroad (applicant may be inside or outside Canada).

Eligible Relationship Categories

Spouse

Legally married, marriage valid where it occurred and recognized in Canada. Provide marriage certificate, photos, joint life evidence, and certified translations as needed.

Common-Law Partner

At least 12 months of continuous cohabitation in a marriage-like relationship. Prove with joint lease, mail to same address, joint bills/bank accounts, or sworn statutory declarations.

Conjugal Partner

Committed relationship for 1+ year but unable to cohabit or marry due to significant barriers (immigration, legal, cultural, religious). Requires detailed proof of barriers and ongoing exclusivity.

Inland Spousal Sponsorship (apply while living together in Canada)

Why choose Inland

  • Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP): Apply alongside PR so the applicant can work for almost any employer while PR is processing.

  • Stay together: Maintain family unity and build Canadian ties (employment, community, potential healthcare eligibility depending on province).

  • Practicality: Easier to manage documents and communications from the same address.

Inland trade-offs

  • Travel risk: Leaving Canada during processing can jeopardize the file if re-entry is refused. Best to avoid non-essential travel.

  • Appeal limits: If refused, Inland has no IAD appeal; only Federal Court judicial review (focuses on legal/procedural error).

  • Status maintenance: Applicant must remain in valid temporary status or extend before expiry.

Inland timeline (typical, not guaranteed)

  • Acknowledgment in weeks, SOWP often in a few months, full PR commonly 12–24 months depending on case specifics.

Outland Spousal Sponsorship (processed via visa office abroad)

Why choose Outland

  • Often faster: Many visa offices finalize around 10–18 months (varies by country/volume).

  • Travel flexibility: Applicant abroad can continue routines; if in Canada with valid status, can travel more freely than Inland.

  • Full appeal rights: If refused, sponsors can appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) for a hearing on the merits.

Outland trade-offs

  • No SOWP: Applicant cannot get a spousal open work permit during Outland PR processing (separate work permit route needed).

  • Separation logistics: If living apart, plan visits carefully; border officers still assess admissibility at each entry.

  • Interviews abroad: Some cases require an interview at the responsible visa office.

Inland vs Outland: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Inland Outland
Applicant location Must reside in Canada with valid status; cohabiting with sponsor Can be inside or outside Canada; processed by a visa office abroad
Work authorization Eligible for SOWP Not SOWP-eligible; separate work permit needed
Travel during processing Not recommended; re-entry not guaranteed More flexible with valid visa/eTA and officer discretion
Appeal rights if refused No IAD appeal; judicial review only IAD appeal available (full merits hearing)
Typical processing time ~12–24 months ~10–18 months (visa office dependent)
Best for Couples cohabiting in Canada who value work authorization Couples needing travel flexibility or stronger appeal rights

Decision Helper

  • You live together in Canada and want the applicant working soon → Inland + SOWP.

  • You must travel freely or live apart for now → Outland.

  • Your case may be refused and you want a full appeal → Outland.

  • You want to avoid border re-entry risk → Inland and avoid travel.

Proving the Relationship Is Genuine (evidence plan)

Cohabitation & domestic life

Joint lease/mortgage, utility bills, mail addressed to both at the same residence, shared household purchases.

Financial integration

Joint bank accounts, shared credit cards, insurance beneficiaries, shared subscriptions, remittances between partners.

Social & family evidence

Photos across time with family/friends, trips together, invitations, affidavits from close relatives/friends.

Communication records

Chat/call logs showing ongoing contact, especially during long-distance periods.

Narrative of the relationship

A concise timeline: how you met, milestones, living arrangements, challenges, future plans (housing, careers, children).

Costs, Forms, and Core Documents (2025 guide)

Government fees (guide)

  • Sponsorship fee: $75 CAD

  • Principal applicant processing: $510 CAD

  • Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $500 CAD

  • Biometrics (if required): $85 CAD

  • Medical exam (panel physician): ~$200–$500 CAD (paid to clinic)

  • Police certificates: varies by country

Key forms

  • IMM 1344 – Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking

  • IMM 5532 – Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation

  • IMM 0008 – Generic Application for Permanent Residence

  • IMM 5406 – Additional Family Information

  • IMM 5669 – Schedule A: Background/Declaration

  • SOWP (Inland only): online work permit forms (e.g., IMM 5710 equivalents in the portal)

Identity & status bundle

Passports (biographical pages), civil status documents (marriage, divorce, birth certificates), status in Canada (if Inland), photographs per IRCC specs.

Police & medicals

Police certificates for every country lived in 6+ months since age 18. Upfront or post-request medical exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician.

Step-by-Step Process (both streams)

Step 1 — Choose your stream and map your evidence

Decide Inland vs Outland using the comparison above. Plan which evidence categories you’ll include: cohabitation, finances, social, communication, narrative.

Step 2 — Gather civil, identity, and background documents

Collect passports, photos, status documents, police certificates, translations. Ensure names/dates align across documents.

Step 3 — Complete the right forms accurately

Fill sponsor and applicant forms carefully; keep answers consistent across forms and evidence. Double-check address histories, employment dates, and travel history.

Step 4 — Pay fees and build the online package

Pay sponsorship, processing, and RPRF (paying RPRF upfront can avoid delays). Combine PDFs by section; label files clearly (e.g., “01_ID_Passports.pdf”, “04_Relationship_Photos.pdf”).

Step 5 — Submit in the IRCC portal

Upload the full set and submit. Save confirmation receipts and the document checklist.

Step 6 — Biometrics, medicals, and additional requests

Book biometrics and medicals promptly when requested. Respond to IRCC document requests by the deadline.

Step 7 — Decision and finalization

On approval you’ll receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, if applicable, a PR visa. Complete landing steps; update SIN, provincial health, and other records.

Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) — Inland only

How SOWP works

File the SOWP with your Inland PR application (or soon after AOR). SOWP generally authorizes work for any employer; follow permit conditions.

Practical tips

Keep the applicant’s temporary status valid until SOWP is issued. Use the SOWP to build Canadian work history and support settlement costs.

Travel, Status, and Risk Management

If you’re Inland

Avoid travel unless essential. If you must travel, understand re-entry is not guaranteed even with a valid TRV/eTA. Apply early for a visitor record or extend status to avoid gaps.

If you’re Outland

Travel is more flexible, but each entry to Canada is still at officer discretion. Carry proof of ties and evidence that sponsorship is in process.

Avoiding Refusals (common pitfalls)

  • Evidence gaps: Thin or inconsistent records; missing cohabitation proof; no timeline tying documents together.

  • Inconsistencies: Conflicting dates/addresses; mismatched stories across forms, narratives, and photos.

  • Misrepresentation: Never alter or conceal facts. A misrepresentation finding can lead to long bars from Canada.

  • Weak conjugal claims: Conjugal requires documented, significant barriers—not preference or convenience.

Packaging Your Evidence (simple structure)

  • Section A — Identity & civil status: Passports, photos, marriage certificate, name change docs, translations.

  • Section B — Relationship narrative & timeline: 1–2 pages, chronological, referencing exhibits.

  • Section C — Cohabitation proof: Joint lease, utilities, mail to both, driver’s licences with same address.

  • Section D — Financial interdependence: Joint accounts/credit, shared bills, insurance, remittances.

  • Section E — Social proof: Photos over time/events; invitations; letters from family/friends (signed, dated).

  • Section F — Communication logs: Representative chat/call snippets across key periods.

  • Section G — Background & admissibility: Police certificates, medical receipts/IMEs, prior visa history as needed.

Post-Approval: Landing and Settlement

  • Apply for the PR card, update SIN, enroll in provincial health coverage, and update driver’s licence or ID records.

  • Use Job Bank, Indeed, and community groups; consider bridging work while credentialing for your field.

Quick FAQs

Is Inland faster than Outland?
Not necessarily. Many Outland cases finish sooner, but timelines vary. Choose based on SOWP need, travel flexibility, and appeal rights.

Can I switch streams after applying?
Generally you would withdraw and re-file in the other stream, which resets processing. Choose carefully at the start.

Do we need a lawyer or RCIC?
Not required, but helpful for complex histories, prior refusals, conjugal claims, or criminal/medical issues.

Can the sponsor be outside Canada?
Citizens abroad can sponsor if they prove intent to return to Canada when the applicant becomes PR. Permanent residents must reside in Canada to sponsor.

How much evidence is enough?
Aim for representative, consistent evidence across each category, not hundreds of duplicate pages. Tie everything to your timeline.

Clear Next Steps (checklist)

  1. Pick your stream: Inland (need SOWP, cohabiting, minimal travel) or Outland (travel/appeal flexibility).

  2. Draft a 1–2 page relationship timeline; map each exhibit to a date/event.

  3. Gather proofs by category: cohabitation, finance, social, communications, identity, police, medical.

  4. Complete forms accurately (IMM 1344, IMM 5532, IMM 0008, and others as required).

  5. Pay fees and submit online; label files clearly and keep receipts/AOR.

  6. Do biometrics/medicals quickly; respond to IRCC requests on time.

  7. Plan status/travel: Inland—extend status and avoid travel; Outland—maintain valid visas for any trips.

  8. Track milestones: AOR, biometrics, medicals, eligibility, decision, COPR/landing.

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