The sponsor needs to be a Canadian citizen or PR, above 18 years of age, and be able to financially support the spouse in order to apply for permanent residency in Canada through marriage. The marriage should be legally valid, and it must be proved that the relationship between the two is genuinely believable on the basis of shared property or communications. Either sponsorship can be processed inland-if the spouse is already in Canada-or outland, if the spouse resides outside. This includes medical and security clearances for the spouse, and these take approximately 12-24 months with fees at about CAD 1,080.