+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

Spouse Sponsorship inside Canada

duke_hp

Star Member
Dec 11, 2023
53
32
Dear All,
I recently got married, my spouse is on a closed work permit and I am a Permanent resident.
I am planning to apply for my wife's PR under Spouse Sponsorship Inside Canada.
As she is on a closed work permit, she is living in a different city currently and I am living in a different city.
I am planning to apply for her Open Work Permit along with PR application
We planned that she would be working until she gets an open work permit, this will help us financially as well.
Is it mandatory that we should be living together under one roof for the Spouse sponsorship inside the Canada program?
 

armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
17,282
8,889
YES, you cannot live separate and file for common law or marital sponsorship.
Not accurate: if you apply INLAND, must apply living together. Apply as outland and you can live apart. And yes, can apply outland-from-within-Canada.

This outland class is on the main checklist, imm5589e: "I am currently in Canada, and I am applying under the Family Class (not the Spouse or Common Law Partner in Canada class)." The inland class reads explicitly differently: it says "you must be living with your sponsor in Canada." The lack of this phrasing makes it clear, you can apply from within Canada without living with your spouse. (I would recommend explaining why you're not living together - work reasons or study being pretty normal ones)
 
  • Like
Reactions: scylla and YVR123

YVR123

VIP Member
Jul 27, 2017
7,412
2,885
Dear All,
I recently got married, my spouse is on a closed work permit and I am a Permanent resident.
I am planning to apply for my wife's PR under Spouse Sponsorship Inside Canada.
As she is on a closed work permit, she is living in a different city currently and I am living in a different city.
I am planning to apply for her Open Work Permit along with PR application
We planned that she would be working until she gets an open work permit, this will help us financially as well.
Is it mandatory that we should be living together under one roof for the Spouse sponsorship inside the Canada program?
If you do not live with the applicant, you cannot file under inland.
Only when sponsor and the spouse are living together, they can file inland spousal sponsorship application.

You can file outland instead. (you can apply outland while living in Canada)
I think currently both inland and outland can submit OWP.

BUT for both (at least for inland for sure), you need to wait for the sponsorship application reach AOR (when you get notified of a completed application being submitted with an application number), you can apply for the OWP. So you cannot submit the sponsorship application AND the OWP together at the same time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: armoured

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,862
22,119
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Dear All,
I recently got married, my spouse is on a closed work permit and I am a Permanent resident.
I am planning to apply for my wife's PR under Spouse Sponsorship Inside Canada.
As she is on a closed work permit, she is living in a different city currently and I am living in a different city.
I am planning to apply for her Open Work Permit along with PR application
We planned that she would be working until she gets an open work permit, this will help us financially as well.
Is it mandatory that we should be living together under one roof for the Spouse sponsorship inside the Canada program?
You must apply outland. Inland is not an option since you aren't living together. Yes, it is mandatory that you be living together under one roof.

Don't submit the OWP with the sponsorship application. Submit the sponsorship application first and then wait for AOR before submitting the OWP.
 

armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
17,282
8,889
You must apply outland. Inland is not an option since you aren't living together. Yes, it is mandatory that you be living together under one roof.
I know you meant this but just for clarity: "Yes, it is mandatory that you be living together under one roof if you apply as inland."
 
  • Like
Reactions: scylla