Canada is raising permanent residence (PR) application fees across every program from 9:00 a.m. ET on 30 April 2026.
Here’s the full updated fee list and how to lock in the lower rates before the cut-off.
What’s Changing on 30 April 2026
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed across-the-board increases. The new fees apply the moment an application is received by IRCC at or after 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on 30 April 2026.
See the full old-vs-new breakdown below.
| Program | Applicant | Old Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right of PR Fee | Principal + accompanying spouse/partner | $575 | $600 |
| Federal High Skilled, PNP, Quebec Skilled, Atlantic, Economic Pilots | Principal applicant | $950 | $990 |
| Accompanying spouse/partner | $950 | $990 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $260 | $270 | |
| Business (federal and Quebec) | Principal applicant | $1,810 | $1,895 |
| Accompanying spouse/partner | $950 | $990 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $260 | $270 | |
| Family Reunification (spouses, children, parents, grandparents) | Sponsorship fee | $85 | $90 |
| Sponsored principal applicant | $545 | $570 | |
| Sponsored dependent child | $85 | $90 | |
| Accompanying spouse/partner | $635 | $660 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $175 | $180 | |
| Protected Persons | Principal applicant | $635 | $660 |
| Accompanying spouse/partner | $635 | $660 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $175 | $180 | |
| Humanitarian & Compassionate / Public Policy | Principal applicant | $635 | $660 |
| Accompanying spouse/partner | $635 | $660 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $175 | $180 | |
| Permit Holders Class | Principal applicant | $375 | $390 |
Why IRCC Is Raising Fees
The increase is not a one-off. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, PR fees are adjusted every two years using the Consumer Price Index.
The previous adjustment took effect on 30 April 2024. The 2026 update lifts the RPRF by roughly 4 percent, in line with recent Canadian inflation.
Other Recent IRCC Fee Changes
- Right of citizenship fee: Rose to $123 on 31 March 2026
- Removal expense fees: Updated on 1 April 2026
- Inadmissibility fees: Increased on 1 December 2025
The full list is on the IRCC fee changes page.
Who Is Affected and How to Beat the Deadline
The new fees apply to any PR application IRCC receives on or after 9:00 a.m. ET on 30 April 2026. The date of receipt is what counts, not the date you started preparing.
Online vs Paper Applications
- Online: Your application is received the moment you press submit.
- Paper: Allow extra days in transit so it lands before the cut-off.
Quick Action Checklist
- Submitting online: Finalise and press submit before 9:00 a.m. ET on 30 April 2026.
- Mailing a paper application: Send it well before the cut-off and keep proof of mailing.
- Already applied, RPRF unpaid: Expect to pay the new $600 when IRCC requests it.
- Need to pay the difference: Use the IRCC online payment tool and submit the receipt as instructed.
What This Means if You’re Moving to Canada
The fee hike does not change eligibility, processing times or document requirements. It only changes how much you pay.
For a typical family-of-four application under economic streams, the total increase is roughly $130 to $150 once spouse and child fees are added.
Plan Your Landing Trip
Factor the new amounts into your budget along with flights and short-term accommodation. You can compare flights to Canada on Wego, plus hotels in Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal for your first weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly do the new IRCC PR fees take effect?
The new fees apply to applications received by IRCC at or after 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on 30 April 2026. Online submissions are timestamped instantly; paper applications need to arrive before that moment.
Will my application be rejected if I paid the old fee?
In most cases, no. If you mailed a complete application before the cut-off and paid the old fee, IRCC will accept it and ask you to pay the difference through the online payment tool.
Does the fee increase change processing times?
No. IRCC processing standards are not affected by the fee adjustment. Processing times depend on program category, completeness of your file and overall demand.
What if I delay paying the Right of Permanent Residence Fee?
You will pay the new $600 amount whenever IRCC requests it. The fee in force at the time of payment applies, even if your processing fee was paid at the old $575 rate.
When will Canada raise PR fees again?
Permanent residence fees are reviewed every two years under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. The next adjustment is expected on or around 30 April 2028.
Sources
- IRCC notice: Permanent residence fees increasing on April 30, 2026
- IRCC: Citizenship and immigration application fee changes
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
- IRCC online payment tool — additional payments
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