What is Outland Sponsorship?
Outland sponsorship allows foreign nationals residing abroad to be sponsored by their Canadian spouse or partner for permanent resident (PR) status in Canada. This process is distinct from Inland sponsorship, which requires the couple to live together in Canada. Outland sponsorship is ideal for those who cannot apply from within Canada.

Who Can Apply Under Outland Sponsorship?
To be eligible, both the sponsor and the sponsored person must meet specific criteria, including:
The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Both parties must be at least 18 years old.
The relationship must be one of the following:
Spouse: Legally married.
Common-law partner: Cohabited for at least 12 consecutive months.
Conjugal partner: In a committed relationship for at least 12 months but unable to live together due to significant barriers.
The sponsor must not have sponsored another spouse in the past five years.
Neither party should be incarcerated, facing serious charges, or bankrupt.

How Does Outland Sponsorship Work?
The process involves verifying eligibility, collecting documents, completing forms, and submitting them to the appropriate visa office. Both the Canadian sponsor and the foreign partner must apply concurrently.

Steps to Submit an Outland Sponsorship Application:
1. Obtain the application package from the government website.
2. Pay all required application fees online.
3. Complete and sign all necessary forms.
4. Submit the application to the correct visa office, following the instructions in the guide.

Receiving an Open Work Permit (OWP) Under Outland Sponsorship
Eligible applicants under Outland sponsorship can apply for an OWP while their application is processed. This applies to spouses, common-law partners, or conjugal partners living in Canada and their dependent children. The principal applicant must provide an acknowledgment of receipt (AOR) confirming that their PR application is being processed.

Processing Times for Outland Applications
IRCC aims to process spousal sponsorship applications within approximately 12 months. This includes time for biometrics and review of eligibility.

Where Are Outland Applications Processed?
Outland applications are processed by the visa office serving the sponsored person’s country of origin or where they have legally resided for at least one year.