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Canada PR Fees Increase April 30, 2026: New Costs for Family Sponsorship & Spouse Applications

If you are planning to sponsor a family member, spouse, or common‑law partner for Canadian permanent residence, your budget just changed. Effective April 30, 2026 , Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) raised fees for all permanent residence applications, including family class programs.

This article breaks down the new fee structure, compares it to previous rates, explains who pays what, and offers practical advice for applicants.

Quick Overview: New Fees at a Glance

As of April 30, 2026, the following fees apply to applications made under:

• Family Class (sponsoring parents, grandparents, children, etc.) – paragraph R295(1)(a)
• Spouse or Common‑Law Partner in Canada Class – paragraph R301(1)(a)

Applicant Type	New Fee (CAD)
Sponsor (per application)	$90
Principal applicant (spouse, partner, parent, grandparent, etc.)	$570
Principal applicant – child under 22 (not spouse/partner)	$90
Accompanying dependent spouse or common‑law partner	$660
Accompanying dependent child (under 22 or financially dependent due to disability)	$180
Sponsored child 22+ with disability (principal applicant)	$570

Note: These fees apply to most family sponsorship streams, including spousal, parental, and dependent child sponsorships. Quebec‑selected family class applicants pay the same federal fees in addition to Quebec’s own fees.

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Detailed Fee Breakdown by Applicant Type

1. Sponsor Fee – $90 (per application)

Every sponsorship application must include a sponsor fee of $90. This is a flat fee per application, regardless of how many family members you are sponsoring. The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who meets the income and residency requirements.

2. Principal Applicant – $570 (General)

The principal applicant – the person being sponsored (e.g., spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, or other eligible relative) – pays $570. This applies to most adult principal applicants.

Exception: If the principal applicant is a child under 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common‑law partner, the fee is only $90. This covers adopted children, orphaned siblings, or other dependent children described in paragraphs R117(1)(b) or (f) to (h).

3. Accompanying Dependent Spouse or Partner – $660

If the principal applicant has a spouse or common‑law partner who will also immigrate to Canada (as an accompanying dependent), that person pays $660.

4. Accompanying Dependent Child – $180

Each dependent child (under 22 years old, or over 22 and financially dependent due to a physical or mental condition) who accompanies the principal applicant pays $180 per child.

5. Sponsored Child with Disability (22+) – $570

If the principal applicant is a child aged 22 or older who has depended substantially on the financial support of a parent since before age 22 and is unable to support themselves due to a physical or mental condition, the fee is $570 (same as adult principal applicants).

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How the 2026 Fees Compare to Previous Rates

Prior to April 30, 2026, fees were lower. Here is a comparison based on the previous fee schedule (pre‑April 30, 2026). Note that IRCC typically increases fees every two years to adjust for inflation, as per the Service Fees Act.

Applicant Type	Old Fee (pre‑April 30, 2026)	New Fee (as of April 30, 2026)	Increase
Sponsor	~$75	$90	+$15 (+20%)
Principal applicant (adult)	~$475	$570	+$95 (+20%)
Principal applicant (child under 22)	~$75	$90	+$15 (+20%)
Accompanying spouse/partner	~$550	$660	+$110 (+20%)
Accompanying dependent child	~$150	$180	+$30 (+20%)

Note: The exact old fees varied slightly by year; the above is based on the typical fees in 2024–2025. The increase is approximately 20% across the board, consistent with IRCC’s inflation‑adjustment policy.

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Why IRCC Increased Permanent Residence Fees

IRCC adjusts fees periodically for two main reasons:

1. Inflation and cost recovery – The Service Fees Act requires that fees be adjusted every two years to reflect the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The 20% increase is broadly in line with cumulative inflation since the last major fee adjustment (around 2022–2024).
2. Program sustainability – Processing applications, conducting background checks, and issuing permanent resident documents cost money. Fee increases help IRCC maintain service standards and reduce taxpayer subsidies.

What the fee increase means for you: A typical family sponsorship (sponsor + principal applicant spouse + one dependent child) now costs:

Component	Fee
Sponsor	$90
Principal applicant (spouse)	$570
Accompanying child	$180
Total	$840 (plus biometrics and medical exams)

Previously, that same family would have paid approximately $700.The\ast \ast$700.The∗∗140 increase** is notable but still modest compared to total settlement costs.

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How to Pay and What to Include

• Payment method: Fees must be paid online via the IRCC payment portal using a credit card or debit card. Paper applications (rare for family class) require a fee payment form (IMM 5401) with a bank draft or certified cheque.
• When to pay: Fees are due at the time you submit the sponsorship and permanent residence application. If you pay the wrong amount, your application may be returned as incomplete.
• Refunds: If IRCC refuses your application before processing begins, you may be eligible for a refund of the permanent residence fee (but not the sponsor fee). Partial refunds are possible if you withdraw your application early.

Biometrics and other fees (not included in the above):

• Biometrics fee: $85perperson(upto$85perperson(upto170 per family)
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $515 per adult applicant (some applicants are exempt, e.g., dependent children)
• Medical exam fees (paid to panel physician, varies by country)

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Exceptions and Special Cases

The new fees apply uniformly, but some applicants are exempt from certain fees:

Exemption	Details
RPRF exemption	Dependent children (under 22) and principal applicants who are sponsored children (R117(1)(b) or (f)‑(h)) do not pay the $515 Right of Permanent Residence Fee.
Sponsor fee exemption	There is no sponsor fee waiver; the $90 must always be paid.
Quebec applicants	Quebec residents sponsoring family members pay the same federal fees, plus additional Quebec processing fees (e.g., CSQ application fee).

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Impact on Budgeting for Sponsorship

If you are preparing a sponsorship application, your total costs will now be:

Example 1: Spousal sponsorship (no children)

Item	Cost
Sponsor fee	$90
Principal applicant (spouse)	$570
Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)	$515
Biometrics (spouse)	$85
Medical exam (approx.)	$200
Total (approx.)	$1,460

Example 2: Parent sponsorship (one parent)

Item	Cost
Sponsor fee	$90
Principal applicant (parent)	$570
RPRF (parent)	$515
Biometrics (parent)	$85
Medical exam (approx.)	$200
Total (approx.)	$1,460

Example 3: Sponsoring a dependent child under 22

Item	Cost
Sponsor fee	$90
Principal applicant (child)	$90
RPRF (exempt for child)	$0
Biometrics (child, if 14+)	$85
Medical exam	$100–200
Total (approx.)	265–265–365

Tip: Always check the official fee list before paying. IRCC updates fees infrequently, but errors can delay your application.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Do these fee increases apply to Express Entry and other economic programs?

Yes, the April 30, 2026, fee increase applies to all permanent residence applications, including Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), and Quebec business class. However, this article focuses on family class. The fee for a single adult principal applicant (e.g., Express Entry) is now **$1,895\ast \ast (upfromapproximately$1,895∗∗(upfromapproximately1,575).

Q2: My application was submitted before April 30, 2026. Do I need to pay the new fees?

No. If you already submitted your complete application (including fees) before April 30, 2026, the old fees apply. Only applications received on or after April 30, 2026, must include the new fees.

Q3: Can I pay the new fees in installments?

No. All fees must be paid in full at the time of application submission.

Q4: Are there any fee waivers for low‑income sponsors?

No. The fee schedule is fixed; there are no income‑based waivers for sponsorship applications. However, you may apply for a fee waiver for the Right of Permanent Residence Fee in cases of extreme hardship (rarely granted).

Q5: Does this affect the Quebec CSQ fee?

No. The Quebec government sets its own fees for the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). As of 2026, the CSQ fee for family sponsorship is approximately $319fortheprincipalapplicantand$319fortheprincipalapplicantand115 for each family member. Federal fees are additional.

Q6: What if I pay the wrong amount?

IRCC will return your application as incomplete if the fee amount is incorrect. You must re‑submit with the correct fees, losing your place in the processing queue. Double‑check before paying.

Q7: Where can I find the official fee list?

The official fee list (including all permanent residence streams) is available at canada.ca/immigration-fees.

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Official Sources

Resource	Link
IRCC Fee List	canada.ca/immigration-fees
Family Class sponsorship guide	canada.ca/sponsor-family
Right of Permanent Residence Fee	canada.ca/rprf
Service Fees Act (fee adjustment rules)	laws-lois.justice.gc.ca

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Final Bottom Line

As of April 30, 2026, Canadian permanent residence fees for family class and spouse/common‑law partner in Canada applications have increased by approximately 20%.

• Sponsor fee: $90
• Principal applicant (adult): $570
• Accompanying spouse/partner: $660
• Accompanying dependent child: $180 per child
• Child under 22 as principal applicant: $90

For a typical spousal sponsorship (with no children), the total federal fees (including RPRF and biometrics) now amount to roughly $1,460. While the increase is noticeable, it remains modest relative to overall immigration costs.

What you should do:

• If you are ready to apply, do not delay – fees may increase again in 2028.
• Use the IRCC fee calculator to verify your total before paying.
• Ensure your payment is included with a complete, signed application to avoid rejection.

Planning ahead: Budget for these fees as part of your overall settlement costs. Remember that additional expenses (translation, document certification, courier, etc.) can add several hundred dollars.

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This article is based on official IRCC program delivery instructions updated April 30, 2026. Fee information is accurate as of that date. Always refer to the official IRCC Fee List for the most current information before submitting your application.

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