What to understand
The spouse or common-law partner in Canada class has its own criteria. The applicant generally lives with the sponsor in Canada; status and travel considerations need careful review before choosing the route.
What to prepare
Organize proof of your relationship and shared life, status records, required forms and any previous immigration correspondence. Compare the current in-Canada instructions with the outside-Canada route before submitting.
Important to know
Leaving Canada while an in-Canada application is pending can create re-entry issues. An open work permit is a separate application with its own eligibility rules.
Check the official requirements
Program rules, eligibility, fees and processing times may change. This guide is general information, not legal advice or a guarantee of any outcome. Check the current government instructions before applying.
Visit the official Canada.ca information