How Much Does Spousal Sponsorship Cost in Canada? Government Fees in 2026
Updated: Oct 26
The short answer: As of October 2026, IRCC's fee list shows $1,260 to sponsor a spouse or partner. IRCC says this amount includes the sponsorship fee, the processing fee and the right of permanent residence fee. You will also have other costs, such as medical exams, police certificates, translations and, in some cases, biometrics. Fees change, so always check IRCC's fee list before you pay.
What government fees does IRCC list for sponsoring a spouse or partner?
The IRCC fee list was last modified on 2026-09-21. As of October 2026, it shows these family sponsorship amounts, for applications both inside and outside Canada:
Sponsor your spouse or partner: $1,260.00. IRCC says this includes the sponsorship fee, the processing fee and the right of permanent residence fee.
Include any dependent child: $180.00 per child.
The list shows the spouse or partner amount as one bundled total. It does not show the processing fee as its own line.
IRCC's list also has a separate row for sponsoring a spouse or partner without the right of permanent residence fee. Read the exact row that applies to your application on the fee page before paying.
What is the right of permanent residence fee?
This is a fee for the person who becomes a permanent resident. IRCC's guide says you should pay it when you apply. It is refundable if the person does not become a permanent resident.
IRCC says dependent children do not pay this fee.
Is the sponsorship fee refundable?
If a sponsorship is withdrawn or requirements are not met, IRCC refunds the other fees but not the sponsorship fee.
If you withdraw, you won't get the sponsorship fee back. You may get the other fees back if IRCC has not yet started processing your application.
How do you pay?
IRCC's guide says only online payment is accepted. Save the receipt and upload it.
If the sponsor lives in Quebec, a separate Quebec processing fee is paid to Quebec and is not part of the IRCC payment.
What about biometrics?
The person being sponsored usually has to give biometrics, whether applying from inside or outside Canada, unless exempt. The sponsor, as a citizen or permanent resident, does not. The biometrics fee is paid in addition; check IRCC's fee list for the current amount.
IRCC says you must get biometrics within 30 days of receiving a letter that asks for them.
What other costs should you budget for?
These costs are paid to other parties, not to IRCC, and amounts vary. IRCC's fee list does not give prices for them.
Medical exam: IRCC's guide says family members who are not already citizens or permanent residents must pass a medical exam. Do it within 30 days of getting medical instructions.
Police certificates: Needed for each country (other than Canada) where the applicant lived for 6 months or more in a row after age 18.
Translations: Documents not in English or French need a translation. If the translator is not a Canadian certified translator, IRCC requires an affidavit. Translations must not be done by the applicant or a family member. See translation tips.
Certified copies, photos and courier or postage costs.
Travel: For example, the trip to land in Canada or to attend an interview.
Why do fees matter for your application?
Paying the wrong amount or using the wrong method can cause problems with your application. Build a plan that covers every item on the documents checklist. The inland vs outland post explains how your route may change which steps apply.
Who does this affect?
Canadian citizens and permanent residents planning to sponsor a spouse or partner.
Couples budgeting for an application from inside or outside Canada.
Families including dependent children.
Sponsors who live in Quebec.
What should you do?
Open IRCC's fee list and find the row that matches your application.
Add the dependent child amount for each child, if any.
Budget for medicals, police certificates, translations and copies.
Pay online and save the receipt.
Check the fee list again just before you submit, in case it changed.
Ask for advice if a fee row looks unclear.
Frequently asked questions
Is the fee the same inside and outside Canada?
As of October 2026, IRCC's list shows the same spouse or partner and dependent child amounts for both groups. Always check the page before you pay.
Do I pay the right of permanent residence fee separately?
For the spouse or partner total, IRCC says the amount includes it. Read the exact fee row you are using on IRCC's page.
Do I get my fees back if I am refused?
IRCC says the right of permanent residence fee is refundable if the person does not become a permanent resident. The sponsorship fee follows different rules, so check IRCC's guide.
Can I pay by cheque or at a bank?
IRCC's guide says only online payment is accepted.
Key takeaways
As of October 2026, IRCC lists $1,260 for a spouse or partner, as a bundled amount.
Dependent children add $180 each, per IRCC's list.
Pay online and keep the receipt.
Medicals, police certificates and translations are extra and vary.
Fees change, so check the IRCC fee list before you pay.
The bottom line
Plan for both the IRCC fees and the outside costs. A clear budget and a correct online payment help avoid delays.
Need help with spousal sponsorship fees and planning? E-Pathway Immigration, led by Domonic Cheung, RCIC in Vancouver, can review your situation. Book a case review.
More spousal sponsorship guides: Spousal and common-law sponsorship in Vancouver · Spousal sponsorship guide hub
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources: IRCC, Fees (modified 2026-09-21), https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp; IRCC, Complete Guide IMM 5289 (modified 2026-04-23), https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5289-sponsor-your-spouse-common-law-partner-conjugal-partner-dependent-child-complete-guide.html; IRCC, After you apply (modified 2026-07-28), https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children/track-update-application.html. Page dates are as shown on each page.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer for your specific situation.
About the author
Domonic Cheung is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), licence R711344, with E-Pathway Immigration in Vancouver, BC. You can verify his licence on the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) public register.
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