While the eligibility requirements for a sponsor are the same, the advantage of an outland sponsorship, as compared to the inland application, is the right to submit a spousal sponsorship appeal in case of refusal. However, outside of Canada applicants can not apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit.
Outside Canada Spousal and Partner Sponsorship has two stages:
- Assessment of a sponsor’s eligibility to sponsor a spouse or partner.
- Application for permanent residence by a sponsored person.
Sponsor’s eligibility (1st stage) is usually assessed within the first 4-5 months and an application for permanent residence (2nd stage) will take another 7-8 months. Overall, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) pursues to process inland sponsorship application within 12 months. The sponsored person’s application for permanent residence is processed by the IRCC visa office abroad.
