What is the difference between inland and outland spousal sponsorship?

Inland sponsorship is used when the sponsored partner is already living in Canada with valid status; one benefit is the ability to apply for a spousal open work permit during processing. Outland sponsorship is processed through a visa office and is commonly used when the partner is outside Canada, though it can sometimes be used even if they are in Canada.

Each stream has trade-offs around travel, work permits, and processing. Choosing the right stream depends on where the partner is living, whether they need to work, and how often they need to travel during processing.