Spousal Sponsorship Inland/Outland

[Romania85]

Hi all

I have a few questions pertaining to spousal sponsorship. I am a Canadian citizen currently living in the EU for the past 4 years and I am married here to a Romanian citizen. As I miss Toronto, I want to go back and my husband has agreed. Some information about him:

He's turning 31, has a master's in IT and currently working as a software developer. He received a Canadian tourist visa valid for 5 years and we've already been to Toronto twice so far.

I have been reading the CIC website, but I do not quite understand the difference between inland and outland sponsorship, and how we can qualify for inland (as I saw that inland applicants receive a work permit after their sponsor has been approved).

As well, I saw that spouses of Canadian citizens are eligible for a work permit--we're fine with him being able to work in Canada and then apply for permanent residency later on. Is he eligible only for a work permit, without applying to spousal sponsorship?

Can you please tell me what is the best course of action? I really want to go back to Toronto by the end of the year, at the latest Thank you all so much!

 

[MilesAway]

It's generally not recommended to apply inland, unless you are content to not leave Canada for at least 2 years. Yes, inland applicants can also apply for a work permit.

To apply inland, both of you MUST be in Canada. Outland, doesn't matter where you live. It's probably best to apply outland now, and prove your intent to return to Canada. With some luck, you could have the entire thing finalized by the end of the year. Otherwise, once you arrive, you shouldn't have too much longer to wait for him to become a PR.

 

[Romania85]

It's generally not recommended to apply inland, unless you are content to not leave Canada for at least 2 years. Yes, inland applicants can also apply for a work permit.

To apply inland, both of you MUST be in Canada. Outland, doesn't matter where you live. It's probably best to apply outland now, and prove your intent to return to Canada. With some luck, you could have the entire thing finalized by the end of the year. Otherwise, once you arrive, you shouldn't have too much longer to wait for him to become a PR.

Thanks so much for your response! A couple of questions:

1. If we do decide to apply inland, does he get his work permit as soon as I am approved as a sponsor? However, that 2 year wait is definitely something we will have to think hard about. Would he be able to leave the country if we want to go on a vacation abroad?

2. Can he apply for an open work permit without first applying for spousal sponsorship?

Thanks again!

 

[MilesAway]

The open work permit is generally issued 4-5 months after the application is received. You only qualify for a work permit if you have submitted an inland application, so you cannot apply for sponsorship later.

It's not recommended that applicants leave the country. If he is denied entry for any reason, the application is cancelled and you would have to start over again. Many people do leave however, but it's a risk.

 

[Romania85]

The open work permit is generally issued 4-5 months after the application is received. You only qualify for a work permit if you have submitted an inland application, so you cannot apply for sponsorship later.

It's not recommended that applicants leave the country. If he is denied entry for any reason, the application is cancelled and you would have to start over again. Many people do leave however, but it's a risk.

There is something else I do not understand for inland applications---my husband does have a 5 year multiple entry tourist visa for Canada, but he can only stay for a maximum of 6 months at a time. Such being the case, how can he stay legally in Canada and apply for inland?

 

[Romania85]

Another question:

I saw that as both inland and outland, I must provide my last notice of assessment for the most recent taxation year. However, as I have been living abroad for the past 4 years, I didn't pay taxes in Canada, so what should I do in this case?

Raluca

 

[MilesAway]

Submit a letter of explanation. That's what I did. I also included a letter from my employer showing my salary for the 12 month period prior to the application.

If you have a visitor visa, he can visit for up to 6 months at a time, but he can apply to extend his stay.

 

[Romania85]

Submit a letter of explanation. That's what I did. I also included a letter from my employer showing my salary for the 12 month period prior to the application.

If you have a visitor visa, he can visit for up to 6 months at a time, but he can apply to extend his stay.

Thanks. I am currently working as a freelancer, so all I have is a certificate of earnings (mentioning what I earned for the past year), would that change anything? Are there any other documents I should provide?