Spousal Sponsorship Fees And Third-Party Costs In Canada
IRCC Government Fees for Spousal Sponsorship
According to IRCC’s current fee list, the main government fees for a spouse or partner sponsorship application are:All amounts listed below are in Canadian dollars (CAD).
- Sponsorship fee: $85
- Principal applicant processing fee: $545
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $575
Core IRCC government total if paid upfront: $1,205
This does not include biometrics or third-party costs.
If you choose not to pay the RPRF upfront, the initial IRCC amount is $630, and the $575 RPRF must be paid later before permanent residence is finalized. IRCC says you can pay the RPRF later, but paying it upfront can help avoid spousal sponsorship application delays.
If dependent children are included in the application, IRCC’s current spouse/partner fee list shows $175 per child.
If biometrics are required, the current IRCC biometrics fee is:
- $85 per person, or
- $170 maximum per family for eligible family members applying at the same time.
In spouse or partner sponsorship cases, the RPRF is generally the main permanent residence fee that may still be refundable after processing starts, depending on the stage of processing and whether the spousal sponsorship application is withdrawn or refused by IRCC.
How to Pay Spousal Sponsorship Fees Online
IRCC requires the government fees to be paid online through its official fee payment system, and the receipt must be included with the application.
The process usually involves:
- Choosing the correct application type
- Selecting the correct fee category
- Entering the number of people included
- Completing the payment online
- Saving the payment receipt and including proof of payment with the application.
IRCC allows online payment for most permanent residence applications, the RPRF, and additional fees for applications already submitted. Accepted payment methods include major credit cards, prepaid cards, and some debit cards. Accepted methods include major credit cards, prepaid cards, and some debit cards. If you paid less than the required amount, IRCC lets you pay the additional amount online and include both receipts with the application or file.
Because underpayment can delay spousal sponsorship processing, couples should confirm the correct fee type and amount before paying online.
Third-Party Costs
The IRCC fees are only part of the total cost. Many couples also have third-party costs, which are separate from government fees. Typical third-party costs vary widely and are rough planning estimates, not IRCC-set fees. Depending on the case, couples may also need to budget for:
- Immigration medical exam: commonly ~$200–$450+ per person
- Police certificates: often ~$0–$100+ per certificate
- Translations / certified copies (if required): commonly ~$30–$80+ per page
- Photos: often ~$15–$25
- Courier / shipping / document issuance fees: often ~$20–$80 within Canada and ~$50–$150+ internationally.
In some LGBTQ+ spousal sponsorship cases, country conditions, privacy concerns, or safety issues can also affect the supporting documents required and the practical steps involved, which may influence overall preparation costs.
These amounts can vary significantly by country, provider, language, urgency, and document type, so they should be treated only as rough budgeting estimates, not fixed fees. IRCC’s official application guidance confirms that items such as medical exams and police certificates are separate from the core sponsorship fee list.
Professional Fees
Seeking professional help is not required to apply for spousal sponsorship in Canada, and many couples choose to prepare and submit their application on their own. Professional services are separate from IRCC government fees and third-party costs, but for some applicants they can provide added support with reviewing eligibility, choosing the right sponsorship category, preparing forms and supporting documents, and identifying issues that may affect the application before submission. Some files may also require more careful preparation where there are concerns about the relationship or supporting evidence, including cases that may lead to an interview. Learn more on our Spousal Sponsorship Interview page.
For those who would like professional guidance before choosing a service package, booking a spousal sponsorship consultation can help you decide which level of support is right for your case. RightWay Canada offers three Spousal Sponsorship packages, depending on the level of support needed: Full Package, Do It Yourself, and Peace of Mind.
The Full Package ($3,750) is designed for clients who want complete support from start to finish. It includes consultations as needed, online, phone, and email support, preparation of forms and supporting letters, a personalized document checklist, a representative’s submission letter, commission of forms and declarations, full post-submission support, and the option to pay in two installments.
The Do It Yourself Package ($2,250) is intended for couples who want to prepare the application themselves while still receiving professional guidance and review. It includes a guided application process, a one-hour feedback session, online, phone, and email support, review of forms and letters, a personalized document checklist, a representative’s submission letter, commission of forms and declarations, full post-submission support, and the option to pay in two installments.
The Peace of Mind Package ($650) is best suited for applicants who have already prepared their package and would like a professional review before submission. It includes package drop-off or Google Drive review, a one-hour feedback session, one follow-up session, package review before feedback, a personalized document checklist, a representative’s submission letter, commission of forms and declarations, and full post-submission support.
Taxes, IRCC government fees, and third-party costs are not included.
