Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently adjusted its fee schedule for various immigration applications. While some fees have increased, many remain the same.
These changes, effective December 1, 2024, primarily impact individuals seeking:
- Temporary Residency: This includes tourists, students, and temporary workers.
- Status Extensions: For those wishing to prolong their stay in Canada.
- Re-entry Permits: Necessary for individuals leaving and re-entering Canada.
- Criminal Rehabilitation: For those with minor or serious criminal records.
Key Fee Changes: Which Fees Are Increasing?
- Increased Fees: Certain categories, including temporary residency, study permits, and work permits, now have higher associated fees.
- Unchanged Fees: Fees for citizenship, permanent residence, and family sponsorship applications remain the same.
What Are the Canada Immigration Fee Changes?
| Fee Category | Previous Fee | New Fee |
| Authorization to return to Canada | $459.55 | $479.75 |
| Temporary resident permit | $229.77 | $239.75 |
| Inadmissibility on grounds of criminality | $229.77 | $239.75 |
| Inadmissibility on grounds of serious criminality | $1,148.87 | $1,199.00 |
| Restore status as a visitor (Visa fee not required) | $229.00 | $239.75 |
| Restore status as a worker | $229.00 | $239.75 |
| Restore status as a worker (includes work permit fee) | $384.77 | $394.75 |
| Restore status as a student | $229.00 | $239.75 |
| Restore status as a student (includes study permit fee) | $379.77 | $389.75 |
| International Experience Canada (IEC) program fee | $172.00 | $179.75 |
Important Notice for Applicants
Online Applicants
Please double-check that you paid the correct fee before submitting your online application.
Mail-In Applicants
- Due to potential mail delays, your application might be affected by the recent fee changes.
- In most cases, your application won’t be rejected if: you paid the old fee amount, your application was complete, or you mailed your application before the fee change took effect.
How to Pay the Fee Difference
Calculate the Difference
- Determine the difference between the old and new fees for your application and any included family members.
Make the Payment
- Use the IRCC online payment tool to make an “additional payment or pay other fees”
- Input the total fee difference under “Quantity”
- Create an account or sign in to complete the payment
Submit Your Receipt
Follow the specific instructions provided by IRCC in their request to submit your payment receipt.
Unchanged Fees
Several major immigration categories have retained their previous fee structure:
- Citizenship: Despite calls for fee reductions, there are no changes to the current citizenship fees.
- Permanent Residence: Fees for skilled worker programs, Canadian Experience Class, and Provincial Nominee Programs remain unchanged.
- Family Sponsorship: Fees for sponsoring family members like spouses, partners, children, and parents are stable.
- Study Permits and Temporary Resident Visas: Students and temporary visitors won’t see any increase in application fees.
- Work Permits: Fees for both employer-specific and open work permits remain the same.
- Refugee and Humanitarian Applications: Fees for refugee claimants have not been increased.
By maintaining these fees, the Canadian government aims to make Canada a more attractive destination for immigrants while easing financial burdens, particularly for vulnerable applicants.
Do You Need Help Immigrating to Canada?
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VisaPlace Immigration News Contributor
Ella Bergquist
Hello! I am one of VisaPlace's many immigration news contributors. Comment below if you have any questions or comments about this article.
