The federal government has announced an increase in fees for all permanent residence (PR) applications, effective April 30, 2026.
Citizenship application costs will also rise, with the right of citizenship fee increasing as of March 31, 2026.
Applicants are encouraged to seek guidance from Cohen Immigration Law for professional assistance.
These changes impact processing fees across all PR categories, including economic programs such as Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), as well as family sponsorship, protected persons, and humanitarian and compassionate applications. The Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) will also see an increase.
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If you submitted your application online and paid the fees before the respective deadlines, the new rates will not apply to you. However, applicants who sent paper applications before these dates may be required to pay the difference, as there can be delays between submission and receipt by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Updated PR Fees (Effective April 30, 2026)
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $575 → $600
Federal High Skilled Programs (Express Entry, PNP, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration, etc.):
- Principal applicant: $950 → $990
- Spouse/partner: $950 → $990
- Dependent child: $260 → $270
Business (Federal & Quebec):
- Principal applicant: $1,810 → $1,895
- Spouse/partner: $950 → $990
- Dependent child: $260 → $270
Family Sponsorship:
- Sponsorship fee: $85 → $90
- Principal applicant: $545 → $570
- Dependent child: $85 → $90
Protected Persons:
- Principal applicant: $635 → $660
- Spouse/partner: $635 → $660
- Dependent child: $175 → $180
Humanitarian & Compassionate / Public Policy:
- Principal applicant: $635 → $660
- Spouse/partner: $635 → $660
- Dependent child: $175 → $180
Permit Holders Class:
- Principal applicant: $375 → $390
Citizenship Fee Update (Effective March 31, 2026)
- Right of Citizenship Fee: $119.75 → $123.00
Important Notes
- If you applied before the deadline but delayed paying the RPRF, you must pay the updated fee of $600. The amount is determined by the payment date, not the application date.
- Online applicants who paid before the deadline do not need to take any action.
- Paper applicants may be contacted by IRCC if an additional payment is required.
If You Need to Pay the Difference
- Calculate the fee difference for each applicant.
- Use IRCC’s online payment system and select “Make an additional payment or pay other fees.”
- Enter the total difference and complete the payment (either in one or multiple transactions).
- Submit the receipt as instructed by IRCC.
For accurate fee calculations, applicants can use IRCC’s official online fee tool, which determines the correct amount based on the program and individual situation.
