What are the government fees for Express Entry in Canada?
For a principal applicant under Express Entry (FSW, CEC, or FSTC), the government fees total $1,365: $1,040 processing fee + $325 Right of Permanent Residence Fee. Adding a spouse costs an additional $1,040 processing fee. Each dependent child costs $150. Biometrics are $85 per person ($170 for a family group of 2+). Medical exams cost approximately $220 per adult. Total for a couple with no children: approximately $2,700–$3,200 before professional fees.
How much does it cost to sponsor a spouse to Canada?
Sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner costs: $1,050 application fee (includes $75 sponsorship fee + $490 principal applicant processing fee + $490 sponsored person processing fee — note: no Right of PR fee for spousal sponsorship). Biometrics: $85. Medical exam: ~$220. Police certificates: varies by country. Total government fees: approximately $1,300–$1,500. Processing times for inland sponsorship are 12 months; outland sponsorship 8–14 months depending on country.
Are immigration lawyer fees worth paying in Canada?
For straightforward Express Entry applications with clear eligibility and no complications, many applicants self-represent successfully. However, an immigration consultant (RCIC) or immigration lawyer adds value when: you have inadmissibility concerns (past criminality, health conditions), you are close to the cutoff and need strategic advice, you have complex family situations, or you are responding to IRCC procedural fairness letters. Fees range from $2,500–$8,000 for a full Express Entry application.