Outland spousal sponsorship (also called overseas sponsorship) is the family-class pathway used when the sponsored spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner has their permanent residence application processed through a visa office abroad, rather than through IRCC inside Canada. In practice it is the route when the sponsored person is living outside Canada, but a couple may choose it even when the sponsored person is in Canada because outland cases have often been processed in a comparable or shorter time and the sponsored person can usually travel while the application is in progress. The names "outland" and "inland" refer to where the application is processed, not to the genuineness of the relationship or the couple's location at the moment. This guide explains how the outland process works step by step, how IRCC decides which visa office handles your file, whether the sponsored person can visit Canada while they wait, the open work permit question, and how the timeline compares with inland. The numbers below are estimates that change often, so always confirm the current figures and eligibility rules on IRCC before you rely on them.
Outland vs Inland: Key Differences
| Factor | Outland | Inland |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse/partner location | Anywhere, inside or outside Canada; processed via overseas visa office | Must be physically in Canada at time of application |
| Processing time (estimate, varies) | Often comparable to inland; check the IRCC processing-times tool for the assigned visa office (confirm current figure) | Check the IRCC processing-times tool for the current spouse/partner in-Canada estimate (confirm current figure) |
| Open Work Permit (OWP) | Generally not available if the sponsored person lives abroad. The spouse/partner open work permit requires the sponsored person to be physically in Canada with valid temporary status and an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR), so it is usually tied to inland cases | Generally available once the sponsored person is in Canada with valid temporary status, has an AOR, and applies for the open work permit (confirm current eligibility on IRCC) |
| Visa office | Application processed at visa office based on spouse's country of residence or nationality | Application processed in Canada (IRCC domestic offices) |
| Can spouse visit Canada? | Yes, on a visitor visa if required; subject to admissibility | Spouse is already in Canada; travel outside Canada is risky (may trigger outland switch) |
| Application switch? | Can switch to inland if spouse moves to Canada mid-process (may reset timeline) | Can switch to outland if spouse leaves Canada |
| Interview | More likely, visa offices sometimes conduct interviews | Less common for inland cases |
| Best for | Couples where the sponsored person lives abroad, or who want the sponsored person to keep travelling freely while they wait | Couples already living together in Canada where the sponsored person has valid temporary status and wants to apply for an open work permit |
Which Visa Office Processes Outland Applications?
For outland sponsorships, IRCC routes the application to the appropriate visa office based on the sponsored person's country of residence or nationality:
- ✓ The sponsorship and PR application are generally submitted together as one package; IRCC assesses the sponsor in Canada (often through a Case Processing Centre such as Mississauga or Sydney)
- ✓ After the sponsor is approved, the applicant's portion is generally assessed by the visa office associated with the sponsored person's country of residence
- ✓ If the sponsored person lives in a country different from their country of citizenship, the visa office serving their country of residence typically processes the application
- ✓ Some visa offices serve multiple countries: IRCC assigns the office based on published visa office assignments
- ✓ The visa office in the sponsored person's country is responsible for medical examination coordination, biometric collection, admissibility assessment, and issuing the immigrant visa
💡 Processing times vary by visa office
Processing times differ significantly between visa offices depending on volume, staffing, and country-specific factors. IRCC publishes office-specific processing times at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Check the current estimate for the relevant visa office before applying.
Outland Process: Step by Step
1. Sponsor submits application to IRCC
The sponsor (in Canada) submits the complete sponsorship and principal applicant (PA) application to IRCC online or by mail. Both the sponsorship forms and PA forms are typically submitted together as one package.
2. Sponsorship assessment in Canada
IRCC's Case Processing Centre (CPC) assesses whether the sponsor meets all eligibility requirements. After the sponsor is approved, the applicant's portion is generally taken up by the visa office.
3. Visa office assessment
The overseas visa office contacts the sponsored person to request biometrics, medical examination, police certificates, and any additional documents. The visa officer assesses admissibility.
4. Medical examination
The sponsored person completes a medical exam with a designated IRCC panel physician. Results are sent directly to IRCC, the applicant does not receive the results.
5. Immigrant visa issued
If approved, the visa office issues an immigrant visa (the Confirmation of Permanent Residence / COPR document). The sponsored person uses this to enter Canada and confirm their permanent residence at a port of entry.
6. Landing in Canada
The sponsored person enters Canada before the immigrant visa expires (typically within 1 year of medical exam). A CBSA officer confirms permanent residence at the port of entry and PR status is granted.
Can the Sponsored Person Visit Canada During Processing?
Yes. One of the practical advantages of the outland route is that the sponsored person can generally apply to visit Canada (with a Temporary Resident Visa, or an Electronic Travel Authorization if they are from a visa-exempt country) while the application is being processed, and they can usually travel in and out without abandoning the application. Canadian law recognizes "dual intent": an officer can grant temporary entry to someone who also has a pending or future permanent residence application, as long as the officer is satisfied the person will respect the conditions of their temporary stay. The key word is "can", entry is never guaranteed and an officer decides each time. What this means for you: a visit is possible, but the sponsored person still has to convince the officer of their intent to comply with temporary status. Important considerations include:
- ✓ The sponsored person must satisfy the visa officer that they have genuine reasons to visit and will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay, despite the pending PR application
- ✓ Having a pending PR application does not prevent a visitor visa application, but it may make the officer scrutinize intent to leave more carefully
- ✓ If granted, the visitor visa allows the sponsored person to visit Canada for the authorized period, not to work or study (without separate authorization)
- ✓ If the sponsored person enters Canada as a visitor while the outland application is pending and then wants to switch to inland, the application may need to be transitioned, this can affect processing timelines
- ✓ Consider getting advice from a licensed immigration lawyer or CICC consultant before entering Canada as a visitor while an outland application is pending
Inland or outland, which is right for you?
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Get Your Immigration Overview, $79.99Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose outland processing even if my spouse is in Canada?+
Yes, in some situations, applicants may choose outland processing even if the sponsored person is in Canada. However, inland is typically chosen when the spouse is already in Canada to avoid the need for the sponsored person to return abroad. Outland may still be preferable for the faster processing time. Consult a licensed immigration lawyer to evaluate which is better for your circumstances.
What happens if the sponsored person's visitor visa expires during outland processing?+
If the sponsored person is in Canada on a visitor visa and it expires while the outland application is pending, they must leave Canada or obtain a status extension. Being in Canada without status is a serious issue. The outland application processing continues regardless of the sponsored person's temporary status in Canada, but being out of status can create complications, so keeping valid status while in Canada generally avoids them.
Can the sponsor travel outside Canada during outland processing?+
Yes, the sponsor (Canadian citizen or PR) can travel outside Canada during outland processing. The sponsor must be able to meet the sponsorship requirements and sign documents as needed. Canadian PRs must also be mindful of their own residency obligations (IRPA s.28) if they are spending extended time outside Canada.
How do I know which visa office will process my outland application?+
The visa office is determined by the sponsored person's country of residence at the time of application. IRCC publishes a list of visa offices and the countries they serve. Check the IRCC website or your IRCC online account after submitting to see which office is assigned to your application.
Can my spouse get an open work permit during an outland application?+
Generally only if the sponsored person is physically in Canada with valid temporary status. The spouse or common-law partner open work permit is tied to the sponsored person being in Canada and having an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) confirming the permanent residence application is in process, so in practice it is associated with inland (in-Canada) cases. A sponsored person living abroad while their outland application is processed generally cannot work in Canada on the strength of the sponsorship alone. Open work permit eligibility rules have changed in recent years, so confirm the current rules on IRCC before relying on this.
Is outland sponsorship faster than inland?+
Not always. Outland cases have historically often been processed in a comparable or shorter time than inland, but actual times vary by visa office, file complexity, and overall volumes, and they change frequently. Do not assume one route is faster; check the current estimate for your situation using the IRCC processing-times tool and, where relevant, the figure for the specific visa office assigned to your file.
Can I switch from outland to inland (or inland to outland) after I apply?+
It is sometimes possible, but it is not automatic and can affect your timeline. For example, if the sponsored person moves to Canada and gains valid temporary status mid-process, the file may be able to transition, and if a sponsored person in Canada leaves the country, an inland file may need to be treated as outland. These transitions can reset or delay processing and have eligibility consequences (including for any open work permit), so speak with a licensed immigration lawyer or CICC-regulated consultant before making a move that could change your processing stream.
Does the sponsored person need biometrics for an outland application?+
In most cases yes. The visa office typically asks the sponsored person to give biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) as part of the application. As of December 1, 2025, the biometrics fee is generally $85 per person, up to a family maximum of $170; confirm the current fee on IRCC. The visa office responsible for the sponsored person's country usually coordinates where and when biometrics are collected.
Official sources
This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.