Hey Scorpion! Yes you can do that with no problem. You can also have your spouse apply as an outland applicant too, and your spouse can wait out the time in Canada too. However, if your partner is not from a visa exempt nation it can be hard to obtain a visitor visa without being able to demonstrate strong ties to their nation of residence. One of the experts can tell you more about that!
In a nutshell, the differences between inland and outland are as follows.
Inland - Takes around 18 months all in from application to PR. The applicant can apply for an open work permit at the time of applying, which will be granted should you gain first stage approval (which I believe is about 6 months though one of the inlanders can let you know!). Please bear in mind though, that applying Inland gives you NO RIGHT OF APPEAL, so if you are not 100% in your application please be careful!
Outland - Processing time varies depending on the High Commission/Embassy processing the application. (The list is here. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm/fc-spouses.asp ) There is not a Open Work Permit option here, but the processing time can be significantly shorter. You also have the right to appeal if things don't go your way, and you spouse can remain with you in Canada while the PR processes (though depending on circumstances, you may have trouble with the original visa).
So, food for though! Either way though, your partner can be with you throughout the process, provided they can gain entry to Canada in the first place as a visitor!
Best of Luck!
@ Nahmed. You wouldnt get AIP if your file was transferred. AIP means that you and your spouse are eligible to sponsor and be sponsored. So you just need to send in your OWP as soon as possible
