Canada raises permanent residence and citizenship fees

Canada will increase fees for permanent residence and citizenship applications in 2026. The new citizenship fee will take effect on March 31, followed by higher permanent residence (PR) fees on April 30.

These changes will affect thousands of applicants across different immigration programs. The government says the updated fees will apply to most categories without exception.

Who Will Be Affected

The new PR fees will cover all major immigration streams. These include economic programs such as Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program, as well as family sponsorship, protected persons, and humanitarian cases.

Applicants in business immigration programs will also face higher costs. In addition, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee will rise from $575 to $600 for main applicants and their partners.

For economic immigration programs, the fee for a principal applicant will increase from $950 to $990. Spouses or partners will pay the same new amount, while fees for dependent children will rise slightly from $260 to $270.

Family sponsorship costs will also go up. Sponsors will pay $90 instead of $85, while the fee for a sponsored principal applicant will increase from $545 to $570.

Citizenship Fees Also Increase

The right of citizenship fee will rise from $119.75 to $123 on March 31, 2026. While the increase seems small, it will still affect many people applying for Canadian citizenship next year.

What Applicants Need to Know

Applicants who submit their applications online before the new dates will not need to pay any extra fees. The system processes online applications immediately, so those payments will remain valid.

However, people who send paper applications by mail may face a different situation. If immigration officials receive their application after the new fees take effect, they may need to pay the difference.

Officials say they will not reject complete applications sent before the deadline. Instead, they will contact applicants and provide instructions on how to pay any remaining amount.

Paying the Difference

Applicants who need to pay more must calculate the gap between the old and new fees for each person included in their application. They can then use the government’s online payment system to complete the payment.

After payment, applicants must submit the receipt as proof, following the instructions they receive.

Important Reminder on RPRF

Applicants who delay payment of the Right of Permanent Residence Fee should take note. They must pay the new $600 rate if they complete the payment after April 30, even if they applied earlier at the old rate.

Officials base this fee on the payment date, not the application date.