Sponsoring a family member to Canada can be done through two different processes: Inland Sponsorship and Outland Sponsorship. Both processes allow Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child for permanent residence in Canada. The main difference between the two lies in the applicant's location and how they apply for permanent residency. Below is a detailed explanation of both processes:

1. Inland Sponsorship

Inland sponsorship applies to individuals who are already in Canada. If you are sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child who is physically present in Canada, this is the process for you.

Eligibility for Inland Sponsorship:

• Sponsor's Eligibility:

  • Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
  • Must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Must reside in Canada and intend to continue living in Canada.
  • Must demonstrate the ability to support the applicant financially.

• Applicant's Eligibility:

  • The person being sponsored must be in Canada and legally authorized to stay (e.g., visitor, student, or worker).
  • Must be in a genuine, legally recognized relationship (spouse or common-law partner).

Inland Sponsorship Process:

1. Complete the Application:

   • The sponsor and the applicant (spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child) must complete the necessary application forms. These include forms such as the Application to Sponsor (IMM 1344), Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008), and Additional Family Information (IMM 5406).

2. Submit the Application:

   • The application package must be submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The sponsor must also pay the required sponsorship and processing fees.

3. Processing Time:

   • Inland sponsorship applications usually take around 12 months to process. However, processing times can vary, so it’s important to check the current processing times on the IRCC website.

4. Work Permit for the Sponsored Person:

   • If the applicant is in Canada on a temporary status (e.g., as a visitor), they may be eligible to apply for an open work permit while waiting for the permanent residence decision. This work permit allows them to work for any employer in Canada during the processing of their application.

5. Approval of Permanent Residency:

   • If the application is successful, the sponsored person will receive permanent resident status and may receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document.

6. Landing:

   • After receiving approval, the sponsored person may complete their landing process and officially become a permanent resident of Canada.

Advantages of Inland Sponsorship:

• If the applicant is already in Canada, they can remain in Canada while their application is processed.
• The applicant can work in Canada while waiting for a decision, assuming they’ve been granted an open work permit.

Disadvantages of Inland Sponsorship:

• If the application is refused, the applicant may have to leave Canada and apply again through the outland process.

2. Outland Sponsorship

Outland sponsorship is for individuals who are living outside Canada at the time of application or who want to process their application from outside Canada. This process is applicable to spouses, common-law partners, or dependent children who are outside Canada or want to apply from their home country.

Eligibility for Outland Sponsorship:

• Sponsor's Eligibility:

  • Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
  • Must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Must demonstrate the ability to support the applicant financially.

• Applicant's Eligibility:

  • The applicant (spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child) must be outside Canada or wish to process the application from their home country or another country outside Canada.
  • Must be in a legitimate, legally recognized relationship.

Outland Sponsorship Process:

1. Complete the Application:

   • The sponsor and applicant must complete the necessary forms, including the Sponsorship Application(IMM 1344), Generic Application Form (IMM 0008), and Additional Family Information (IMM 5406).

2. Submit the Application:

   • Submit the completed application package to the appropriate Canadian Visa Office in the applicant’s home country (or the country where they are residing).
   • Pay the sponsorship and processing fees.

3. Processing Time:

   • The processing time for outland sponsorship varies, but it is usually faster than inland sponsorship (around 12 months, depending on the visa office and specific circumstances).

4. Interview (If Required):

   • In some cases, the Canadian visa office may require an interview. The applicant will be notified if an interview is necessary.

5. Approval of Permanent Residency:

   • If the application is approved, the sponsored person will receive permanent resident status and may be issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa.

6. Landing in Canada:

   • Upon approval, the applicant will enter Canada as a permanent resident, completing the landing process.

Advantages of Outland Sponsorship:

• Applications are often processed faster than inland applications, especially for applicants who are outside Canada.
• The applicant can continue to live in their home country until the application is approved.

Disadvantages of Outland Sponsorship:

• The applicant must wait outside Canada until their application is approved. If the applicant is already in Canada on a temporary status, they may have to leave while the application is processed.

Key Differences Between Inland and Outland Sponsorship

General Requirements for Sponsorship

• Proof of Relationship: You need to provide sufficient evidence of your relationship to the person you're sponsoring (e.g., marriage certificates, joint bank accounts, communication records).
• Financial Support: Sponsors need to prove they can financially support the person they are sponsoring to ensure that they will not become a financial burden on the Canadian social welfare system.

Conclusion

Both inland and outland sponsorship programs allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child for permanent residence. The choice between inland and outland sponsorship depends largely on the applicant's location and individual circumstances. Inland sponsorship is appropriate for those already in Canada, while outland sponsorship is suited for individuals living outside Canada or who prefer to process their application from outside Canada.

What is Canadian Immigration Sponsorship? How do I sponsor my wife and children to Canada?

1.) It allows your family member to immigrate to Canada and get permanent residence (PR).

2) It requires you, as an individual, to make a commitment to provide for basic needs and to support that person financially.

     Can I be a sponsor? To sponsor a family member, you are required to meet several requirements such as being:

• • a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
  • 18 years of age or older
  • able to support the sponsored person for several years

Can I be a sponsor? To sponsor a family member, you are required to meet several requirements such as being:

• • • Spouses and common-law partners
    • Dependent children
    • Parents and grandparents

      There are exceptions to this rule, however, and it may be possible to sponsor a non-immediate family member (for example, a sister, niece, or uncle) if: 

      • you do not have any other immediate family members you could sponsor, or
      • you have legally adopted them and they meet the definition of a dependent child.

Start your Process Today by Completing the Online Assessment Form.