Outland Sponsorship

The outland spousal sponsorship stream of the family sponsorship program allows a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for Canadian permanent residence, regardless of where they are currently living. As part of Canada’s commitment to reuniting families as quickly as possible, most applications are processed within a 12-month period. While this program was designed for sponsored individuals living abroad, applicants residing in Canada may also choose to apply for outland spousal sponsorship, as it may enable them to travel in and out of Canada while their application is being processed.

Outland Spousal Sponsorship Requirements

Spousal sponsorship applications have eligibility requirements for both the Canadian sponsor and the individual being sponsored. Those wishing to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Not have received spousal sponsorship to Canada in the five years preceding their application
• Not be in prison, charged with a serious offense, or bankrupt
• Not be under deportation order, if they are a Canadian permanent resident

Unlike under inland spousal sponsorship, the sponsored individual is not required to hold valid temporary status in Canada for outland spousal sponsorship applications, as long as the sponsored partner is not living in Canada. They must also be at least 18 years of age and cannot be a close blood relative of the sponsor. The relationship between sponsor and person being sponsored must be either a legal marriage, or a common-law or conjugal partnership, as recognized by IRCC.

To be legally valid, the marriage must either have been legally performed in Canada, or, if performed outside of Canada, legally recognized in both the country where it took place and in Canada. Same-sex spouses must have been married in a country where same-sex marriages are legal in order for the relationship to be legally valid for sponsorship purposes. If the marriage is not legally valid, the couple may be able to apply for as common-law or conjugal partners, provided such a relationship can be demonstrated.

Spousal Sponsorship Minimum Necessary Income

Outland spousal sponsorships do not require the sponsor to meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) to be eligible for the program if they are sponsoring their spouse or their dependent children. In the event a Canadian citizen or permanent resident is sponsoring their parents, grandparents, or other dependents, they will be required to meet the MNI requirement in order to be eligible to sponsor their family members.

Benefits of Applying Under the Outland Sponsorship Stream

• The Outland sponsorship process will allow your spouse or partner to leave the country and return to Canada as a visitor while the application is being processed.
• This process has a quicker processing time than the inland one. 
• Outland sponsorships have appeal rights

Spousal Sponsorship in Quebec

If the sponsor lives in the province of Quebec, they may need to meet additional requirements. The sponsor will need to commit to a financial undertaking to support the family member they are sponsoring. The duration of the undertaking depends on the nature of the relationship. In the case of spousal sponsorship, the sponsor must commit to financially support their spouse, or common-law or conjugal partner, for three years.

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