I'm a Canadian citizen living abroad. Can I still sponsor?

1. What does the rule say?

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If you're a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to live in Canada when the people you're sponsoring become permanent residents. If you're a permanent resident living outside Canada, you can't sponsor someone.

Sponsor your spouse, partner or child: who can apply ↗

2. What counts as showing I plan to live in Canada?

There is no separate form; the checklist asks for proof. You add a short letter and evidence of the plan: the end date of your foreign work permit or lease, a job search or job offer in Canada, family or property in Canada, school enrolment for children, a moving quote, flight bookings. The stronger the dated evidence, the less the letter has to argue.

3. Inland or outland in this case?

Outland (Family Class). The inland class (Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada) requires both of you to be living together in Canada; if the sponsor is abroad, that class isn't available. The two classes are compared on inland or outland.

4. On the form

The sponsor's form (IMM 1344) asks for the sponsor's current address, so a foreign address is expected. The checklist asks a citizen living abroad for proof that they will live in Canada with their spouse once the spouse becomes a permanent resident; the plan-to-return letter and its evidence go there. If you move back to Canada during processing, update the address through the IRCC web form (how) so the address on file is current.