Is dual intent recognized the same way for a visa applied for from outside Canada as for one applied for at the border?

The underlying principle applies in both settings, but the practical experience of relying on it can differ quite a bit. A visa application prepared and submitted from outside Canada allows an applicant to lay out their circumstances, ties, and plans in detail, with time to gather and organize supporting documents that clearly address the compliance question dual intent does not remove.

At a port of entry, a border officer typically has far less time and far less documentation in front of them to assess the same underlying question of whether the person would leave Canada as required. This does not mean dual intent applies any less at the border in principle, but it does mean there is less opportunity to present a fully developed case, which can make the practical outcome more dependent on how clearly and quickly the traveller can explain their situation in the moment.

Because of this difference, being able to explain your circumstances concisely and confidently at a port of entry matters more than it typically would in a fully documented application prepared in advance from outside Canada.