Well, you never really know with IRCC and that's the problem. At the time, processing standard for outland sponsorships was 24 months, so we submitted a visitor visa application and declared dual intent for an inland sponsorship. Anyway since that is taking forever, we have gone ahead with outland sponsorship.So did you apply for spousal sponsorship over a year ago as that would have been your first step. You may have gotten sponsorship approved faster. If refused and you haven’t then start spousal sponsorship. Chances of TRV if you are PR are very low because spouse has to prove ties to return, and not coming to live in Canada.
All in all, it would be good if IRCC could have clear cut rules and transparency around these things.