Application fees associated with applications for permanent residence have increased on April 30, 2024. Here's what you need to know.
Key Takeaways:
- Application fees associated with applications for permanent residence are revised every 2 years. The last increase was on April 30th, 2022.
- If you submitted your application before April 30th, 2024, the new fees do not apply to you.
- If you have an application in process but are yet to pay the Right of Permanent Residence fee, paying this before April 30th, 2024 could have saved you $60 CAD for the main applicant and $60 CAD for an accompanying spouse.
Watch our video.
Stop. Here's your next step.
What Are The New Fees Since April 30th, 2024?
From April 30th, 2024 to March 2026, the new application fees are as follows:
Program Applicants Current Fee (in CAD) New Fee (in CAD)
April 30, 2024
Right of Permanent Residence Fee Principal applicant and accompanying spouse or common-law partner $515 $575
Federal High Skilled, Provincial Nominee Program and Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class and most Economic Pilots (Rural, Agri-Food) Principal applicant $850 $950
Accompanying spouse or common-law partner $850 $950
Accompanying dependent child $230 $260
Live-in Caregiver Program and Caregivers Pilots (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 dependent child $75 $80
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 / 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
What Is the Increase Based On?
The increase is the cumulative percentage increase to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Canada from the last 2 years, rounded to the nearest $5.
This increase marks a substantial increase in comparison to previous increases, a direct result of the increase in the Consumer Price Index, which measures price change by comparing, through time, the cost of a fixed basket of goods and services.
Why Is the Increase So Substantial?
The increase is based on the Consumer Price Index for the last 2 years. In 2023, the annual average CPI was 3.9% which followed a 40-year high increase of 6.8% in 2022, representing a collective increase of 10.7%.
Compare that to the CPI used to determine the 2022 increase. In 2021, the CPI was 3.4% and 0.7% in 2020, representing a collective increase of 4.1%
Will the Increase Affect You and Your Application?
If you have submitted your application and paid both the Government Processing Fee and Right of Permanent Residence fee, this increase will not affect your application.
If you have submitted your application and have not paid the Right of Permanent Residence fee before April 30, 2024, you will need to pay the new fee of $575. If you paid before the fee change on April 30th, 2024, you were charged the old fee of $515. The Right of Permanent Residence fee can be paid at any point in your application via the online payment portal for Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Be sure to send a copy of your receipt via webform to IRCC for it to be associated with your application.
Remember that you should only submit your application if you are confident it is complete. It is not worth risking a refusal or returned application because you were rushed. It will cost you more in the long run if you submit an incomplete or weak application.
Are Temporary Applications Impacted by This Fee Increase?
No, the fee increase is only applicable to applications for permanent residence.
Stop. Here's your next step.
About the author
Rebecca Major
Related articles
Latest IEC Working Holiday Canada News
Read more
Saskatchewan’s Updated Exclusion List For Its Provincial Nominee Programs
Read more
Improved Processing Times Estimates: A Win for Permanent Residence Applicants
Read more
April 2024 PNP Update: What Happened in Canada’s PNP in April?
Read more
