Canada to Update Immigration Fees for 2026

Effective April 30, 2026, the Canadian government announced that they will be updating immigration fees to account for inflation.

Individuals that apply to immigrate to Canada must pay both an application processing fee and a right of permanent residence fee.

The Government of Canada last increased immigration processing fees in 2024. Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that they would be raising fees every two years to adjust for inflation.

Immigration fees as of April 30, 2026

The fees associated with permanent resident cards, and permanent resident travel documents will not increase.

Government revenues from immigration fees

The Canadian government uses a ‘cost-effective’ approach to financing immigration programs, where the individuals receiving the services are responsible for the associated costs.

Altogether, the fees collected by IRCC represent about half of all fee revenue collected by the Canadian government. The costs associated with service delivery include program processing and management, internal services, and delivery partner costs.

Despite the recent increase, Canada’s fees remain competitive when compared to other countries like the USA, England, New Zealand, and Australia. In fact, many of these countries charge much higher fees. Australia, for example, can charge up to $7,500 CAD for immigration processes.

Can IRCC waive an applicant’s immigration fees?

The Canadian immigration minister has the authority to waive immigration fees via public policy. This has occurred during extenuating circumstances such as during the BC wildfires, or for certain Hong Kong residents.

The next immigration fee increase is expected in 2028.

Interested in learning more about how you can immigrate to Canada? Complete our online assessment form today for a full evaluation of your options!