Adding multiple dependent children to a spousal sponsorship costs $150 CAD per child in IRCC processing fees. Biometrics are capped at $170 CAD per family, while hiring a Canadian immigration lawyer for a large family application generally adds $500 to $1,000 CAD per dependent.
Sponsoring your spouse or common-law partner to Canada is a beautiful journey, but it requires careful financial planning, especially when children are involved. If your partner has children from a previous relationship, or if you have children together who are not Canadian citizens, they must be added to the Permanent Residence (PR) application as dependent children. Many families living in cities like Winnipeg, Toronto, or Vancouver are surprised to learn how quickly government and medical fees can add up when sponsoring a large family.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses a strict fee structure. 📋 While the base cost for a spouse is quite high (covering the sponsorship fee, principal applicant fee, and Right of Permanent Residence Fee), the cost per dependent child is heavily discounted to keep family reunification accessible. However, you must also budget for mandatory third-party costs, such as medical exams, police certificates for older teenagers, and legal representation to ensure no mistakes are made.
Step-by-Step Process for Adding Dependents in Canada
No matter which province you live in, IRCC handles all family sponsorships at the federal level. Adding children to the application requires meticulous attention to the forms to ensure their ages are “locked in” correctly.
Step 1: Verifying Dependent Eligibility
First, you must ensure the children meet the legal definition of a dependent. 🔍 Under current Canadian law, a child must be under the age of 22 and not married or in a common-law relationship. If a child is 22 or older, they can only qualify if they have depended on their parents for financial support since before age 22 due to a severe physical or mental condition.
Step 2: Completing the Family Forms
When your lawyer prepares the application, the dependent children will be added to the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008). You will also need to detail the entire family structure on the Additional Family Information form (IMM 5406). Even if one of the children is not moving to Canada immediately (non-accompanying), they must still be listed and pay for a medical exam.
Step 3: Calculating and Paying IRCC Fees Online
Before submitting through the PR Portal, you must pay your fees via the IRCC online payment system. 💳 You will select the fees for the principal applicant (your spouse) and then add the specific quantity of dependent children. The system will generate a single receipt with a barcode, which must be uploaded with your application package.
Step 4: Arranging Medicals and Biometrics
After submission, IRCC will send instruction letters. Every child, including babies, must undergo an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) by an approved Panel Physician. Children aged 14 and older must also visit a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or Service Canada location to provide their biometrics (fingerprints and photos).
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Budgeting for a large family requires looking beyond just the IRCC fees. 💵 Medical exams and document translations often cost more than the government processing fees.
- Spousal Base Fee: $1,080 CAD (includes $75 sponsorship, $490 PA fee, $515 RPRF).
- Dependent Child Fee: $150 CAD per child.
- Biometrics Family Maximum: $170 CAD total, regardless of how many people apply together (individuals are $85).
- Medical Exams: Generally $150 to $300 CAD per child, paid directly to the local doctor.
| Family Scenario | IRCC Fees (CAD) | Biometrics (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse + 1 Child | $1,230 | $170 |
| Spouse + 2 Children | $1,380 | $170 |
| Spouse + 3 Children | $1,530 | $170 |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Adding dependents generally does not slow down the standard processing time, provided all medicals are completed promptly. As of 2026, IRCC aims to process standard spousal and dependent child sponsorship applications within 10 to 14 months from the date of submission.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happens if my child turns 22 during processing?
IRCC uses a “lock-in” date. The child’s age is locked in on the exact day IRCC receives the complete application. If they are 21 when you submit, they will remain eligible even if they turn 22 or 23 while waiting for processing to finish.
Do babies need to pay the biometrics fee?
No. Under Canadian immigration law, children under the age of 14 are exempt from providing biometrics. Therefore, you do not pay the biometrics fee for young children.
Is there a Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) for children?
No. The $515 CAD Right of Permanent Residence Fee is only required for the principal applicant (the spouse) and any dependent spouse. Dependent children are exempt from this final PR fee.
Do non-accompanying children need to pay the $150 fee?
No. If a child is listed as non-accompanying (meaning they are not getting PR right now), you do not pay the $150 IRCC processing fee for them. However, they must still complete and pay for an immigration medical exam.
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