No, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) does not allow you to defer, delay, or pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) in installments. The $575 CAD fee must be paid in full either upfront with your initial sponsorship application or immediately when requested by an officer.
Sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child to Canada is a beautiful milestone, but it is also a major financial commitment. Whether you are bringing your family to settle in Ottawa, Victoria, or Edmonton, the federal government requires several processing fees. One of the most significant costs is the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF). This fee is essentially your payment for the privileges and rights that come with being a Canadian permanent resident.
Many families, facing the high costs of immigration, wonder if they can set up a payment plan or defer this fee until their spouse arrives and starts working. 🚫 Under federal immigration law, this is strictly prohibited. The Canadian government does not offer financing or deferral options for permanent residency fees. Failing to pay the RPRF will simply bring your entire application to a halt. If you are struggling with the complex online payment portals or need help structuring your application, reaching out to an experienced immigration professional from our directory can ensure your file isn’t delayed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Paying the RPRF in Canada
Managing your immigration payments correctly is vital. Here is the standard process for handling the Right of Permanent Residence Fee during a family sponsorship application.
Step 1: Understand What the RPRF Covers
The RPRF is completely separate from the processing fees. The initial $545 CAD principal applicant fee simply pays IRCC to open and read your file. 📖 The $575 CAD RPRF is the fee for the actual granting of permanent resident status. Notably, dependent children being sponsored under the Family Class are entirely exempt from paying the RPRF.
Step 2: Choose When to Make the Payment
You technically have two options for when to pay the RPRF. You can pay it upfront at the exact same time you submit your sponsorship application, or you can wait until IRCC formally requests it near the end of the processing timeline. While waiting delays the financial burden, IRCC strongly advises paying it upfront. Waiting for the request letter can delay your spouse’s final approval by 1 to 2 months.
Step 3: Make the Payment via the IRCC Portal
All IRCC fees must be paid online. You will need to log into the federal ePayment portal, select “Family Sponsorship,” and enter the number of applicants. 💳 You must pay using a valid credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) or a Canadian Visa/MasterCard debit card. Ensure your credit limit is high enough to clear the total transaction, as partial payments are impossible.
Step 4: Save and Upload the Official Receipt
The moment your payment goes through, the portal will generate an official IRCC PDF receipt with a barcode. This receipt is critical evidence. You must upload this exact file into your Permanent Residence online application portal. If you lose this receipt, proving you paid the fee is incredibly difficult and will cause severe processing delays.
Step 5: Receive the COPR
Once your relationship is approved, medicals are passed, and the RPRF is confirmed paid, IRCC will finalize the case. 📬 They will issue a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document. Only after this fee is fully settled can your spouse officially land in Canada or transition from temporary to permanent status.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
When you sit down to pay the IRCC fees, it is helpful to know exactly what the total transaction will look like. Here is the standard breakdown for a spousal sponsorship as of the 2024/2026 fee schedule:
| Immigration Fee Type | Cost (CAD) | Is it Mandatory Upfront? |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship Fee | $75 | Yes |
| Principal Applicant Processing Fee | $545 | Yes |
| Biometrics Fee (Per Person) | $85 | Yes |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | $575 | No (But highly recommended) |
| Total Application Cost | $1,280 CAD | N/A |
How Long Does the Process Take?
The financial step of paying the fee is instant, but its impact on processing times is massive. A standard spousal sponsorship takes about 12 months to process in Canada. If you did not pay the RPRF upfront, IRCC will send you an email around month 10 or 11 asking for payment. You usually have 30 days to comply. Because it takes IRCC several weeks to match a late payment receipt to your specific file, failing to pay the $575 CAD upfront almost always adds 4 to 8 weeks of unnecessary waiting to your final approval.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happens to the RPRF if my sponsorship is refused?
If you paid the RPRF upfront and your sponsorship application is ultimately refused or withdrawn, the Canadian government will automatically refund the $575 CAD to the credit card you used. However, the $545 processing fee and $75 sponsorship fee are non-refundable once processing has started.
Do I have to pay the RPRF for my sponsored children?
No. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, dependent children included on a Family Class sponsorship application are strictly exempt from paying the Right of Permanent Residence Fee.
Can the Canadian sponsor pay the fee on behalf of the applicant?
Yes. IRCC does not care whose name is on the credit card used for the ePayment portal. The Canadian sponsor, the foreign spouse, or even a lawyer or family friend can make the payment, as long as the official receipt is uploaded to the correct file.
Will IRCC cancel my application if I can’t afford the RPRF when they ask?
If IRCC requests the RPRF and you fail to pay it within the deadline (usually 30 days), your application will be delayed. If you ignore the request entirely, the officer will eventually close and abandon your application, meaning you would have to start the entire process over again.
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