If you are wondering how much does it cost to sponsor a spouse in Canada, the standard IRCC government fee in 2026 is exactly $1,345 CAD. This total includes the $90 sponsorship fee, $570 principal applicant processing fee, $600 Right of Permanent Residence Fee, and the $85 biometrics charge.
Understanding the Spousal Sponsorship Costs
Bringing your husband, wife, or common-law partner to live with you in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is an exciting and deeply personal journey 🏡. However, before you can start planning your future together, it is important to understand exactly how much does it cost to sponsor a spouse in Canada. The financial side of the Family Class immigration program can seem confusing at first glance, but breaking down the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) fees makes it much easier to budget.
As of 2026, the federal government requires several different payments that cover the processing of your application and the eventual granting of permanent residence (PR) 🗂️. Whether you are submitting an Outland application while your partner lives abroad, or an Inland application while they are already visiting you in Nova Scotia, the core government fees remain exactly the same. Preparing your finances early helps ensure your application is not delayed or returned due to incorrect payment amounts.
When you decide to sponsor someone, you are also signing a strict legal contract called an undertaking 📑. This means you are promising the Canadian government that you will financially support your spouse for three years after they become a permanent resident. Therefore, understanding the upfront application costs is just the very first step of your long-term financial commitment to your partner’s new life in Canada.
Step-by-Step Fee Breakdown in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Step 1: Paying the Sponsorship Fee
The very first cost you will encounter is the $90 sponsorship fee 💳. This small fee is paid by the Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is applying to become the official sponsor. The government uses this initial payment to verify that the sponsor living in Halifax has not declared bankruptcy, is not receiving social assistance (other than for a disability), and has a clean record regarding previous sponsorship agreements. If you withdraw the application at this early stage, the rest of your fees are generally refunded.
Step 2: The Principal Applicant Processing Fee
The largest portion of the initial cost is the $570 principal applicant processing fee 🔍. This covers the intense administrative work required to verify the genuineness of your relationship. Officers will review your shared lease agreements, joint bank accounts, and chat logs to ensure the marriage is real. The processing fee is standard across Canada, meaning a couple living in Nova Scotia pays the exact same amount as someone applying in British Columbia.
Step 3: The Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)
The $600 Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) is unique because it is the only fee that is fully refundable if your application is ultimately refused 🏆. While the government allows you to delay paying this fee until the very end of the process, it is highly recommended to pay it upfront when you submit your online application. Delaying the RPRF often causes unnecessary processing delays of several weeks or even months just as your partner is about to get approved.
Step 4: Providing Biometrics and Medical Exams
Almost every foreign national must pay an $85 biometrics fee to provide their fingerprints and a digital photograph 🖥️. If your partner is applying from outside Canada, they will need to visit the nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) in their home country. For those already living locally in Nova Scotia, you can easily book an appointment at the main Service Canada Centre located at Halifax Service Canada Centre and Passport Services, 1800 Argyle Street, Suite 101, Halifax, NS B3J 3N8. Additionally, you should budget for an upfront immigration medical exam, which usually costs around $200.
How Much Does It Cost to Sponsor a Spouse in Canada? Full Fee List
To give you a perfectly clear picture of your budget, here is the complete breakdown of the mandatory government fees required to sponsor a spouse in 2026 💵. Keep in mind that these amounts do not include extra third-party costs for translating foreign documents or hiring an immigration lawyer.
- Sponsorship Fee: $90
- Principal Applicant Processing Fee: $570
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $600
- Biometrics Fee: $85
- Total Minimum Government Cost: $1,345 CAD
If your spouse is applying from inside Canada (Inland sponsorship) and wants to work while waiting for a decision, they can apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit 💼. This optional work permit requires an additional fee of $255, which brings your total government payment to $1,600 CAD.
| Payment Strategy | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Paying RPRF ($600) Upfront | Prevents delays at the end of processing; results in faster final approval. | You must pay the full $1,345 all at once. |
| Delaying the RPRF | Lowers initial cost to $745 (plus biometrics); easier on the budget early on. | IRCC must pause processing to request payment, adding weeks of waiting. |
What if My Application is Returned or Refused?
Understanding the refund policy is crucial for your peace of mind ❌. If your application is returned to you because it was missing a signature or a document, IRCC will refund all your fees, and you will have to start over. However, if your application is accepted but later refused because the officer does not believe your relationship is genuine, you will only get the $600 Right of Permanent Residence Fee back. The government keeps the rest of the processing fees, which is why submitting a perfect application is so important.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Waiting for the final decision can feel like the longest part of the journey ⏳. Once you have paid your fees and successfully submitted your complete digital application, the timelines are generally quite consistent across the country.
- Standard Processing Time: As of June 2026, the official IRCC estimated processing times for provinces outside Quebec are approximately 16 months for Outland (outside Canada) applications and 26 months for Inland (inside Canada) applications.
- AOR (Acknowledgment of Receipt): You usually receive an official email confirming your fees were processed and your file was opened within 4 to 8 weeks of submission.
- Open Work Permit Processing: If you applied for the optional spousal work permit, it is typically issued within 3 to 5 months after you receive your AOR.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I get a refund if the sponsorship is refused?
You will only receive a refund for the $600 Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF). The sponsorship fee ($90), the processing fee ($570), and the biometrics fee ($85) are completely non-refundable once the government begins processing your application.
Can I pay the IRCC fees in installments?
No, the Canadian government does not offer payment plans. You must pay all mandatory initial fees online using a credit or debit card at the exact time you submit the application through the Permanent Residence Portal. You can only choose to delay the $600 RPRF portion.
How much does it cost to add a dependent child?
If your partner has a dependent child under the age of 22, you must pay an additional $180 CAD in processing fees per child. Dependent children do not have to pay the $600 RPRF, but children aged 14 or older must pay the $85 biometrics fee.
Are there any hidden costs besides government fees?
Yes, you should budget an additional $300 to $600 for third-party costs. These include upfront immigration medical exams, obtaining police clearance certificates from other countries, and paying for certified translations if your original documents are not in English or French.
Do Quebec residents pay the same fees?
If you live in Quebec, you pay the exact same federal fees to IRCC, but you must also pay an additional provincial fee (currently $335 CAD for the first sponsored member and $135 CAD for each additional person) directly to the Quebec government to submit a spousal undertaking and eventually obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).
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