Canada Hikes Immigration Fees as New Rules Stir Concern For All

The federal government now charges higher fees for several immigration services. The increases took effect on December 1, 2025. The changes affect many people, including travellers, students, workers, and young foreign nationals who hope to join programs that offer short-term Canadian work opportunities.

Officials say the new fees apply to inadmissibility-related applications and to the International Experience Canada work permit processing fee. The changes follow a regular review of program costs.

What Happens to Earlier Applications?

People who applied online before midnight on December 1 keep the old fee rates. Their applications remain valid.
Those who sent paper applications before the deadline may need to pay the difference. Mailed applications often arrive late, so fees depend on the date IRCC receives the file, not the date the envelope was sent.

Inadmissibility Fees Increase

The new costs cover many application types. Each fee rose by a small amount. Here are the main increases:

• Authorization to Return to Canada: $479.75 to $492.50
  
• Temporary Resident Permit: $239.75 to $246.25
  
• Criminal Rehabilitation (criminality): $239.75 to $246.25
  
• Criminal Rehabilitation (serious criminality): $1,199.00 to $1,231.00
  
• Restoration of Visitor Status: $239.75 to $246.25
  
• Restoration of Worker Status (no permit): $239.75 to $246.25
  
• Restoration of Worker Status (with permit): $394.75 to $401.25
  
• Restoration of Student Status (no permit): $239.75 to $246.25
  
• Restoration of Student Status (with permit): $389.75 to $396.25
  

Why People Use These Services

Many travellers seek an Authorization to Return to Canada when officials order them to leave the country. This approval allows them to re-enter legally.

A Temporary Resident Permit helps people come to Canada when an issue makes them inadmissible. Officials grant this permit when they see a strong reason for travel and when the person presents a low risk to the public.

Criminal rehabilitation helps people move past old offences. After five years have passed since the completion of a sentence, an individual may ask to clear the record for Canadian travel. The cost of this application depends on whether the offence counts as criminality or serious criminality.

People also seek restoration of status when their visitor, student, or worker status expires. They must apply within 90 days or leave the country.

IEC Work Permit Fees Rise

International Experience Canada also sees a fee increase. The work permit processing fee moves from $179.75 to $184.75.
The IEC program offers a limited number of work permits each year through three streams: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op. Eligible candidates must enter a pool and wait for an invitation. The 2025 pools remain closed, so applicants must wait until the 2026 season.

What If You Paid the Old Fee?

IRCC plans to contact anyone who mailed a complete application before the fee change. They will ask for the fee difference and provide clear payment steps.
Applicants must calculate the difference, pay through IRCC’s online tool under “Make an additional payment or pay other fees,” and then send the receipt as instructed.