If you're married but currently living outside Canada, you might assume you can’t sponsor your spouse until you move back. That’s not entirely true—but it depends on your status.

If you’re a Canadian citizen, you can live abroad during the process—but you must prove to IRCC that you plan to return to Canada once your spouse is approved. That doesn’t mean vague promises. It means job applications, relocation plans, signed letters, or evidence of housing back home. The government wants assurance that you’ll be residing in Canada with your spouse, not indefinitely abroad.

If you’re a permanent resident, the rule is stricter: you must physically reside in Canada at the time of application and throughout processing. There are no exceptions. PRs abroad who try to submit spousal sponsorships risk automatic refusal.

This issue causes real problems for couples trying to reunite. We’ve seen sponsorships returned because a Canadian citizen failed to prove intent to return. And we’ve seen PRs unknowingly file while abroad—only to have their application rejected months later.

To avoid this, sponsors living outside Canada should prepare a clear relocation plan:

  • Proof of job hunting or confirmed offers
  • Housing arrangements in Canada (lease, home ownership, etc.)
  • Family ties or school enrollment for children
  • A written timeline outlining steps to return

While the relationship itself is central, IRCC takes the sponsor’s intent just as seriously.

At Marwah-Jad, we help couples living apart make their application strong on both fronts: the relationship and the return plan. When done properly, IRCC gets the message: this couple belongs in Canada—together.