How to apply
Follow these steps to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or child to become permanent residents.
If you want to sponsor a child through intercountry adoption, or if you want to sponsor an orphaned family member
Follow the steps for
1. Create an account or sign in
To sponsor your spouse, partner or child, there are 2 applications:
- Sponsorship application: You apply to become a sponsor.
- Permanent residence application: Your spouse, partner or child applies for permanent residence.
The principal applicant (the person you’re sponsoring) will submit both applications together online using the Permanent Residence (PR) Portal.
If you’re getting help with your application from someone else
You can ask someone to help you with your immigration application.
There are special requirements depending on what kind of help you’re getting:
If you’re using a paid immigration representative
Paid immigration representatives need to be authorized (opens in a new tab).
If you want to use a paid representative, you must
- download the Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) form
- complete and sign it (digitally or by hand)
- get your representative to sign it
- upload it with your application
A paid representative can fill out forms and communicate with us for you through their own account. They can also
- help you prepare the documents you need to upload
- answer questions about the forms
They can’t
- open a portal account on your behalf
- electronically sign the application for you
- sign in to the portal using your username and password
After you read the declaration, you must be the one to type your name. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed” according to Canada’s immigration law.
You don’t need to hire a representative. Using one will not draw special attention to your application and doesn’t mean we’ll approve it.
If you’re using an unpaid representative
Unpaid representatives don’t need to be authorized or certified. They can be
- family members
- friends
- anyone else who doesn’t charge you a fee
If you want to use an unpaid representative, you must
- submit the Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) form
- sign it digitally or by hand and get your representative to do so as well
- upload it with your application
An unpaid representative can
- open an account for you
- fill out forms for you
- communicate with us for you
- help you prepare the documents you need to upload
- answer questions about immigration forms
They can’t electronically sign the application for you.
After you read the declaration, you must be the one to type your name. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed” according to Canada’s immigration law.
If you’re getting help from someone who isn’t a representative
You don’t need to tell us that you’re getting help from someone as long as they don’t
- advise you on which program to apply for
- complete or update your application as you
- act as you when dealing with us
They can help you
- use our website to find information
- access a computer, scanner or printer
- navigate our portals and accounts
- view and open electronic forms
- download/upload documents
- get your documents translated
- make travel plans
If you’re having technical issues
If you’re having technical issues applying, contact us using the web form (opens in a new tab).
- Select your problem.
- Under Tell us about yourself
- if you don’t have a unique client identifier number, enter 1111111111
- if you haven’t submitted an application yet, or don’t have an application number, enter 0000000
- Under Tell us about your technical issue
- specify the program you’re trying to apply under
- explain any problems that you’re having
- upload screenshots from your account that show us both
- the page and fields where you’re having problems, and
- any error messages you’re getting
If you need to upload a number of images, find out how to combine them into 1 document.
If you live in Quebec
Once the principal applicant submits the sponsorship and permanent residence application, you must complete an undertaking with the Government of Quebec.
Learn about
- Quebec’s undertaking for sponsoring your spouse or partner
- Quebec’s undertaking for sponsoring a dependent child
Don’t submit your undertaking application to Quebec until we tell you to do so. If you don’t wait for our confirmation, Quebec won’t process your application.
Quebec reaches limit for undertaking applications in certain categories
Quebec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) has reached its maximum number of undertaking applications to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child 18 years or older until June 25, 2026. Get more details about Quebec’s rules and exemptions on MIFI’s website.
We’ll continue to accept applications from sponsors in Quebec, but you must get an undertaking from MIFI before we can approve your permanent residence (PR) application.
2. Get your forms and documents ready
See your application package for
- the document checklist for you and the people you’re sponsoring
- all the forms you and the people you’re sponsoring need to fill out
- country-specific forms and instructions based on where the people you’re sponsoring live
Photo specifications
The principal applicant and their accompanying family members each need to give 1 photo.
Follow the instructions in the online application to scan and upload both sides of the photo.
3. Pay your application fees
Fees to sponsor a spouse or partner: from $1,205
Fees to sponsor a child: from $170
You have to pay your fees online (opens in a new tab) and include the receipt with your application. The instruction guide can help you understand which fees apply to you.
| Processing fees | You need to pay processing fees for you, the people you’re sponsoring and their dependants. |
|---|---|
| Right of permanent residence fee | You need to pay the right of permanent residence fee before the people you’re sponsoring become permanent residents. |
| Biometrics fee |
In most cases, you’ll pay a biometrics fee when you submit your application. If you don’t, your application may be delayed. This fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo. |
| Other fees |
Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for If you live in QuebecYou need to pay fees for |
4. Submit the completed application
Before the principal applicant submits the application, they should make sure they
- answer all questions on the forms
- electronically sign the application (they will type their full name exactly as shown on their passport)
- include the processing fee receipt
- upload all the supporting documents
If the application is incomplete, we’ll reject it. The principal applicant will have to fix any errors and then re-submit it.
Get updates about the application online
After we send you an acknowledgment of receipt with an application number, you and the principal applicant can track and update the application.