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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:

  1. Sponsorship application: You apply to become a sponsor.
  2. 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.

Apply through the PR Portal

If you can’t apply online and need accommodations

If you, the principal applicant or your representative can’t apply online and need accommodations, including for a disability, you may ask for an alternate format.

After we review your request, we’ll send you the application package in one of these formats:

  • paper
  • braille
  • large print
How to request another format
  1. Open a new email.
  2. In the subject line of your email, include
    • the format you need (paper, braille, or large print)
    • the application package you want
  3. In the body of your email, include
    • the full name of
      • the principal applicant
      • the sponsor
    • a statement explaining
      • that you’re asking for an alternate format
      • who needs the alternate format (the principal applicant, sponsor or immigration representative)
    • whether you want the application in English or French
    • how we should send it to you (by email or regular mail)
      • Include your email address if you want us to send it electronically so you can print it yourself. This will save you the time it would take to mail it.
      • Include your mailing address if you want it mailed to you.
  4. Send your email to IRCC.PRPortalALTRequest-DemandeALTPortailRP.IRCC@cic.gc.ca.

We will only reply to requests for alternate formats. We won’t reply to any other emails.

After we get your request, we’ll reply with instructions and tell you where to send your application.

How to submit your application
  • Fill out and sign any paper forms.
  • Return the application by mail or courier to the mailing address provided in our instructions.

For more information about applying with an alternate format, call 1-888-242-2100 (from within Canada only).

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

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

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).

  1. Select your problem.
  2. 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
  3. 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

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

Get your application package

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 Quebec

You need to pay fees for

4. Submit the completed application

Before the principal applicant submits the application, they should make sure they

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.

Page details

2025-10-06