Can I sponsor my spouse if they are currently living outside Canada?

Yes. You can sponsor a spouse who lives abroad through what IRCC calls an "outland" application. In an outland process, your spouse applies from outside Canada and waits for approval before travelling to Canada as a permanent resident.

There is also an "inland" option for spouses who are already in Canada on a valid temporary status (such as a work or study permit). In the inland stream, your spouse can often apply for an open work permit simultaneously, allowing them to work while the permanent residence application is processed.

The outland route is typically chosen when the sponsored partner does not currently have status in Canada or is unable to maintain status in Canada throughout a lengthy process. Processing times for both streams vary and are posted on the IRCC website. Choosing the wrong stream or misunderstanding the requirements can cause significant delays, so it is worth getting advice before you submit. An immigration lawyer can review your specific circumstances and help you choose the stream most likely to succeed.