5. Pay the fees and send in your application

Before you send in your application, review your document checklist. Make sure you’ve completed and signed all the forms as required and included all the documents that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) asks for. Make sure that you use the current versions of the forms as they often change. And your photos must be taken within the last 6 months or IRCC will return your application.

If you’re not sure about something, ask for information from a community agency or get legal help.

Paying the fees

When you send your application to IRCC, you must include proof that you’ve paid the processing fees. If you’re sponsoring only your spouse or partner, you have to pay:

• $75 as a sponsorship fee
• $475 as a permanent residence application fee
• $85 as a biometrics fee

You also have to pay $500 as a right of permanent residence fee. You can pay this fee after your application is approved. But if you do this it might take longer for your spouse or partner to arrive in Canada. If you pay the fee when you apply, IRCC refunds it to you if the application is refused.

How to pay

You pay your fees online using a credit card or a Canadian debit card. You need to give IRCC an email address. They email you a receipt. You must print the receipt and include it with your application.

Sending in your application

Organize the application in the following order:

• your completed checklist on top
• the barcode pages next
• all of the other documents in the order shown on the checklist

Make a copy of your application and every document you include with it, and keep them all in a safe place.

Send the application by courier or registered mail and ask for proof that it’s delivered to the IRCC Case Processing Centre. Keep your proof of delivery.