Starting December 1, 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced higher fees for various temporary resident applications.
The increases, which range from 2.80% to 4.69%, will affect those applying to restore their temporary resident status, re-enter Canada after being deemed inadmissible, or obtain temporary resident permits.
Higher Fees Introduced for Temporary Resident Applications
IRCC has updated its fee structure across eight application categories, impacting visitors, workers, students, and others seeking temporary status in Canada.
Here’s a comparison of the updated fees with the previous rates:
| Application Type | New Fee (Effective December 1) | Old Fee (Prior to December 1) | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restoration of Visitor Status | $239.75 | $229.00 | 4.69% |
| Restoration of Student Status | $389.75 | $379.00 | 2.84% |
| Restoration of Worker Status | $394.75 | $384.00 | 2.80% |
| Authorization to Return to Canada | $479.75 | $459.55 | 4.40% |
| Criminal Rehabilitation (Grounds of Criminality) | $239.75 | $229.77 | 4.34% |
| Criminal Rehabilitation (Serious Criminality) | $1,199.00 | $1,148.87 | 4.36% |
| Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) | $239.75 | $229.77 | 4.34% |
| International Experience Canada (IEC) | $179.75 | $172.00 | 4.51% |
Major Categories and Their Impact
Restoration of Temporary Resident Status
Temporary residents who have lost their visitor, student, or worker status must apply for restoration. Fee adjustments for this category vary between 2.80% and 4.69%, depending on the specific status being restored.
Authorization to Return to Canada
Individuals deemed inadmissible and seeking to re-enter Canada now face a 4.40% increase in application fees. This includes cases involving prior violations or removal orders.
Criminal Rehabilitation: Application fees for criminal rehabilitation have risen by over 4%. This process allows individuals previously inadmissible due to criminal convictions to regain legal entry into Canada.
Temporary Resident Permit (TRP): The cost of applying for a Temporary Resident Permit, which provides temporary access for inadmissible individuals, has increased by 4.34%.
International Experience Canada (IEC): Fees for the International Experience Canada program, popular among young professionals and working holiday participants, have increased by 4.51%.
How These Updates Affect Applicants
Although the fee increases are relatively small, they reflect IRCC’s efforts to address increasing administrative demands.
Applicants should ensure they pay the correct fees when submitting their applications.
For online applications, the correct fee is automatically included at the time of submission, so there’s no need to worry.
However, if you submitted your application by mail and paid the old fees before the new rates took effect on December 1, here’s what to do:
1. If You Paid the Old Fees and Mailed Your Application:
If an application with the old fees was mailed before December 1, IRCC will not reject it. However, applicants must pay the difference between the old and new fees. IRCC will provide instructions on how to make this payment.
2. How to Pay the Fee Difference:
- Calculate the fee difference for all applicable fees, including those for family members.
- Use IRCC’s online payment tool under the “Make an additional payment or pay other fees” category.
- Follow the instructions provided by IRCC and submit the payment receipt as requested.
Reasons Behind IRCC’s Fee Adjustments
IRCC regularly updates application fees to keep pace with inflation and ensure high-quality services.
These adjustments are part of the department’s broader efforts to improve processing efficiency, reduce backlogs, and meet the changing demands of immigration services.
With the new fees effective December 1, IRCC reaffirms its commitment to addressing both economic and operational challenges.
Whether you are applying for status restoration, dealing with inadmissibility, or participating in programs like IEC, it’s important to be aware of these changes to ensure a smooth application process.
Applicants should carefully review their applications, fees, and payment methods to prevent any delays.
For more details, visit IRCC’s official website or consult to get free consultancy.
