Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will increase fees for all permanent residence applications in Canada, including economic, permit holder, family and humanitarian classes as of April 30.
IRCC has been increasing immigration fees to account for inflation since 2020.
“The changes ensure that Canada remains competitive and in line with fees charged by other immigrant-receiving countries,” read the news release about the 2020 fee increase.
“In most cases, Canada’s fees are considerably less expensive than countries with similar migration systems, such as Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.”
Since 2020, it has been normal for the department to increase fees for immigration every two years. However, the fees increase this year has been far more pronounced in comparison to the previous two boosts.
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While April 2022 saw only a 2% rise in the fees, the new increase is nearing 12-13%.
The April 2020 increase to immigration fees was geared towards most economic PR immigration programs, except caregivers. From 2022 on, it was implemented for all application types.
The new fee structure, as per IRCC, is in line with Ottawa’s commitment to supporting a cost-effective approach to financing government programs, where most of the costs are the responsibility of those who receive the services and benefit directly from them.
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The increase in fees will be in accordance with the cumulative percentage increase to the Consumer Price Index for Canada, published by StatsCan, for the last two years, rounded to nearest five dollars.
The fee increases are as follows:
| Program | Applicants | Current fees (April 2022-March 2024) | New fees (April 2024-March 2026) |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee | Principal applicant and accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $515 | $575 |
| Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, | Principal applicant | $850 | $950 |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $850 | $950 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $230 | $260 | |
| Live-in Caregiver Program and Caregivers Pilot (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot) | Principal applicant | $570 | $635 |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $570 | $635 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $155 | $175 | |
| Business (federal and Quebec) | Principal applicant | $1,625 | $1,810 |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $850 | $950 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $230 | $260 | |
| Family reunification (spouses, partners and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives) | Sponsorship fee | $75 | $85 |
| Sponsored principal applicant | $490 | $545 | |
| Sponsored child (principal applicant under 22 years old and not a spouse/partner) | $75 | $85 | |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $570 | $635 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $155 | $175 | |
| Protected persons | Principal applicant | $570 | $635 |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $570 | $635 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $155 | $175 | |
| Humanitarian and compassionate consideration/Public policy | Principal applicant | $570 | $635 |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $570 | $635 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $155 | $175 | |
| Permit holders | Principal applicant | $335 | $375 |
