- info@dhandaimmigration.ca
- Working Hours: Mon to Fri : 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Are you living in Canada with your spouse or common-law partner and considering inland spousal sponsorship? For many couples in Surrey, this immigration route can provide a way to apply for permanent residence while continuing to live together in Canada.
The Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class is intended for eligible couples who are living together in Canada. The Canadian citizen or permanent resident acts as the sponsor, while the spouse or common-law partner applies for permanent residence.
The process involves relationship evidence, immigration forms, supporting documents and eligibility requirements. Temporary resident status also matters while the application is being processed. Depending on the circumstances, the sponsored spouse or partner may also qualify for an open work permit.
At Dhanda Immigration Consultancy – Surrey, we assist couples with application preparation, document organization, procedural requirements, and communication throughout the application process.
We review the circumstances of both partners, including their immigration status, relationship history and sponsorship eligibility, to identify requirements that may affect the application.
We assist with the required sponsorship and permanent residence forms, including forms such as IMM 1344 and IMM 5532, along with the supporting documentation required for the application.
Relationship evidence, identity documents, immigration records and other supporting materials need to be consistent and complete. We review the application package for missing information, inconsistencies and document requirements before submission.
A sponsored spouse or common-law partner living in Canada may be eligible for an open work permit if the applicable IRCC requirements are met. Eligibility can depend on the status of the applicant and the stage of the permanent residence application.
After submission, we help monitor the file and respond to requests from IRCC when additional documents, information or other action is required.
If IRCC requests an interview, we can help you prepare by reviewing the type of information that may be discussed and helping you organize your responses around your relationship history and application.
In general, inland sponsorship may apply when:
For common-law relationships, IRCC generally requires the couple to have lived together for at least 12 consecutive months.
Inland spousal sponsorship may be considered in situations such as:
Each case depends on the applicants’ individual circumstances and current IRCC requirements.
We review your relationship history, immigration status, current situation and sponsorship circumstances.
We assess whether the sponsor and applicant meet the applicable requirements for sponsorship and permanent residence.
We provide a document list covering identity records, relationship evidence, immigration documents, forms and other supporting material relevant to your case.
We organize the forms and supporting documents into the required application package and check that the information is consistent across the file.
Once the application is ready, it is submitted to IRCC according to the current application instructions. If the applicant is also applying for an open work permit, the work permit application is handled according to the applicable IRCC process.
After submission, IRCC may request additional documents, information, biometrics, medical examinations or other steps depending on the application.
We help you keep track of these requests and respond within the required timeframes.
If IRCC requests an interview or additional evidence, we assist with preparing the requested material and organizing the response.
This situation requires prompt attention. A person whose temporary status is expiring should review their available options before the expiry date. Depending on the circumstances, they may be able to maintain status by applying for an extension before expiry, or may qualify for restoration under applicable rules.
Submitting a permanent residence application does not automatically give every applicant the right to remain in Canada under all circumstances, so immigration status should be reviewed separately.
Inland sponsorship is generally used for eligible spouses or common-law partners who are living together in Canada and applying through the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class.
The Family Class route can be used for eligible family sponsorship applications where the sponsored person is not applying through the in-Canada class. The appropriate route depends on the applicant’s circumstances and the requirements that apply to the case.
Not simply because a sponsorship application has been submitted.
A sponsored spouse or common-law partner must have authorization to work. Eligible applicants may apply for an open work permit under the current IRCC rules. IRCC states that the applicant generally needs an acknowledgement of receipt for the permanent residence application and valid temporary resident status, maintained status, or eligibility for restoration, subject to the applicable rules.
The applicant should not begin working until legally authorized to do so.
Processing times can change and should be checked directly through IRCC’s current processing-time system. IRCC does not currently provide a 12-month service standard for spouses and partners applying from within Canada. A 2026 IRCC document states that processing times for the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class had reached approximately three years.
The actual timeline for an individual application can vary depending on factors such as completeness, verification requirements, additional requests and IRCC workload.
A person in Canada as a visitor may be able to be included in an inland spousal sponsorship application if the applicable requirements are met. However, visitor status and permanent residence eligibility are separate matters, and the applicant must continue to follow Canada’s temporary resident rules while in Canada.
No. Surrey does not create a separate federal spousal sponsorship category. Inland spousal sponsorship is governed by federal immigration rules administered by IRCC.
However, applicants living in Surrey may choose to work with an immigration consultancy located in the area for assistance with their application.
Spousal sponsorship involves multiple forms, supporting documents and immigration requirements. Errors or missing information can result in additional correspondence, requests for documents or processing complications.
Our Surrey office assists couples with organizing their application, reviewing supporting documentation, preparing forms and responding to procedural requests during the application process.
We work with couples from Surrey and surrounding communities who are preparing applications for their spouse or common-law partner living in Canada.
If you and your spouse or common-law partner are living together in Surrey, inland spousal sponsorship may be an immigration route worth assessing.
Before submitting an application, review your relationship eligibility, immigration status, supporting documents and current IRCC requirements.
Dhanda Immigration Consultancy – Surrey can assist with the application process from the initial review through document preparation and post-submission correspondence.
Speak with our Surrey office to discuss your circumstances and the requirements that may apply to your application.
Address: 8356 120 St Unit 303, Surrey, BC V3W 3N4, Canada
Phone: +1 778-680-5717
