Canada Immigration Fees: Complete Guide

Starting your journey to Canada is exciting, but it requires careful planning, especially when it comes to money. This guide helps you understand the Canada immigration fees you must pay to the Government of Canada (IRCC) for Immigration to Canada. We provide the most current costs for 2026 and prepare you for future changes.

• Key Fee Components Explained: PF vs. RPRF
  • Processing Fee (PF): This is the basic fee for IRCC to review your application. If IRCC starts working on your file, this fee is usually non-refundable.
  • Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): This is a separate, one-time fee for getting permanent resident (PR) status. You must pay it before you become a PR. Good news: The RPRF is refundable if your application is refused or if you decide to stop your application.

Canada Immigration Fees at a glance

This table summarizes all current Canada immigration fees (paid to IRCC) and mandatory third-party fees (paid to VACs and panel physicians). All fees are updated as of December 1, 2025, and are valid for 2026.

🔸 Temporary Residence Applications

Temporary residence allows you to visit, study, or work in Canada for a limited time. Here are the main Canada immigration fees for these programs:

1. Visitor & Travel Documents
   • Visitor Visa (Single or Multiple Entry, per person): $100 CAD
   • eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization): $7 CAD
   • Visitor Visa, Family Maximum Fee (5 or more people): $500 CAD. There is a maximum fee for families of 5 or more applying together.
2. Work and Study Permits
   • Study Permit (Initial and Extension, per person): $150 CAD
   • Work Permit (Initial and Extension, per person): $155 CAD
   • Open Work Permit Holder Fee (Added to Work Permit fee): $100 CAD
   • Note on Employer Compliance Fee: If you are getting a work permit that requires an employer (like an LMIA-supported job), your employer must pay a separate fee.
3. Restoring Status
   • If your status as a visitor, student, or worker expires, you must pay a fee to restore it ($239.75 CAD). This restoration fee is in addition to the new permit fee.

🔸 Permanent Residence Applications

Permanent residence is the path to staying in Canada forever. These Canada immigration fees are usually higher and include both the PF and the RPRF.

• Economic and Skilled Worker Programs (Express Entry, PNP, etc.)
  • The total fee per adult is currently $1,525 CAD (Processing Fee + RPRF)
• Business Immigration (Start-up Visa, Self-Employed)
  • The Principal Applicant Processing Fee is currently $1,810 CAD (plus the $575 RPRF), making the total $2,385 CAD
• Caregivers and Pilots
  • Fees for Caregiver programs are similar to other economic programs. Always check the specific pilot program guide

🔸 Family Sponsorship Applications

Sponsoring family members is often a priority. The fees here cover the sponsor’s application and the application of the family member they wish to bring to Canada.

• Spousal and Common-Law Partner Sponsorship
  • The total fee for the entire package (Sponsorship Fee + PA PF + RPRF) is $1,205 CAD (Updated: April 30, 2024).
• Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)
  • Specific fees apply to this program, which allows citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents.
• Dependent Children and Other Relatives
  • You must pay a Processing Fee of $260 CAD (Updated: April 30, 2024) to sponsor a dependent child, but they are exempt from the $575 CAD RPRF (Updated: April 30, 2024), a significant saving!

🔸 Citizenship and Other Services

Once you are a Permanent Resident, you might apply for Canadian citizenship:

• Canadian Citizenship
  • Adult (18 and over, total fee): $649.75 CAD (includes $530 PF and $119.75 Right of Citizenship Fee)
  • Minor children (under 18, Processing Fee Only): $100 CAD
• Permanent Resident Card (PR Card)
  • Fee for Renewal or Replacement: $50 CAD
• Inadmissibility and Compliance Documents
  • If you have been previously removed from Canada or are inadmissible, special fees apply for documents like the Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) or a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)

Exemptions and Fee Waivers

In some cases, you may not need to pay certain Canada immigration fees:

• Who Qualifies for a Fee Exemption?
  • Protected Persons: Convention Refugees and those in need of protection are often exempt from many application processing fees.
  • Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C): Applicants applying under special H&C circumstances may be exempt.
  • Dependent Children: They are exempt from the high $575 CAD RPRF (Updated: April 30, 2024).
• Specific Waivers
  • IRCC sometimes introduces special temporary public policies to waive fees for certain groups, such as those affected by specific global events. Always check the policy details for current waivers.

Additional Mandatory Costs and Services

Beyond the direct Canada immigration fees paid to IRCC, there are mandatory third-party costs you must budget for:

• Biometrics
  • This is required for almost all applicants for PR, temporary residence, and citizenship. You pay this to the Service Canada or Visa Application Centre (VAC).
    • Per Individual: $85 CAD (Updated: December 3, 2019)
    • Per Family (2 or more people applying together): $170 CAD (Updated: December 3, 2019) (Maximum fee)
• Medical Examination
  • Permanent residence applicants must have a medical exam. This fee is paid directly to a doctor (Panel Physician) approved by the Canadian government and is highly variable.
• Third-Party Costs
  • These include: Language Tests (IELTS, CELPIP), Police Certificates from your home country, and Educational Credential Assessments (ECA).

Canada Immigration Fees Payment Methods and Refund Policy

How to Pay Your Application Fee Online (Pay Your Application Fee Online):

• Use the Payment Portal: Go to the official IRCC website to find the fee payment portal.
• Select Fees: Select the correct application type and the number of people applying with you.
• Pay Online: Pay the total amount using a valid credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) or another accepted payment method.
• Get Receipt: You must print or save your official receipt. You will need to upload this receipt with your application forms. IRCC does not accept cash or personal cheques.

Understanding Refunds (Including Visa Refusal):

• RPRF: The Right of Permanent Residence Fee of $575 CAD (Updated: April 30, 2024) is fully refunded if your application is refused.
• Processing Fees (PF): These fees are non-refundable once IRCC begins reviewing your file. This means if your visitor visa or PR application is refused after processing starts, you will not get the Processing Fee back.

Conclusion and Next Steps

This guide offers a clear breakdown of the costs involved in your application. Careful planning, understanding the fee components, and staying ready for the upcoming fee changes are vital steps in your journey. We recommend always checking the official IRCC website for the exact figures before making any payment.

⚠️ Important Warning:
The Government of Canada frequently adjusts its immigration fees every two years based on inflation. The figures in this guide are based on the latest official rates announced in April 2024 and December 2024.
For complete assurance, always check the exact and final rates directly from the Official Government of Canada (IRCC) website before making any payment.

Canada Immigration Fees FAQs