To whom it may concern, (He) and I am a Canadian citizen who…

Hi Ross - I have summarized the information we talked about on the phone and attached the relevant links

As a Canadian citizen, you can submit a sponsorship from inside of Canada to sponsor your wife to stay as a permanent resident. You have to complete an application kit as well as submit supporting documentation to prove you are married and that your relationship is real. There is a document checklist with the forms you have to follow carefully.

The processing time for inland sponsorships is presently 12 months but it may take longer due to COVID 19 service reductions. If your sponsorship is approved in principle, which is a first stage approval that usually happens 5-6 months after your submitted the application, your wife is eligible to get a work permit. She can submit the application for a work permit along with the sponsorship form.

Here is the link to the inland sponsorship forms and instructions on the process from Canada Immigration's website

https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/spouse.asp

Your wife should extend her visitor status inland before the 6 months is up to make sure she remains in status during her time here.

Here is the link to the inland visitor visa extension forms.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/extend-stay/apply.html

As well, here is the link to Canada Immigration's webpage which explains the residency requirements for permanents residents

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/permanent-residence/card/permanent-resident-determination.html#determine

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