If you are planning to apply for permanent residence in Canada, there is an important deadline to be aware of. From 30th April 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will increase fees across a range of permanent residence application categories. A smaller citizenship fee increase has already taken effect from 31st March 2026.
The changes are part of Canada’s standard biennial fee review process, which adjusts immigration costs in line with inflation and rising administrative expenses. This is not a sudden policy shift — it is a scheduled and predictable adjustment cycle.
New Canada Permanent Residency Fees From 30th April 2026
| Application Category | Current Fee | New Fee (From 30th April 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Right of Permanent Residence fee | $412.26 | $430.18 |
| Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Economic Pilots | $681.13 | $709.80 |
| Business Immigration (Federal and Quebec) | $1,297.72 | $1,358.67 |
| Family Sponsorship | $390.75 | $408.68 |
| Protected Persons and Humanitarian Programmes | $455.28 | $473.20 |
| Permit Holders | $268.87 | $279.62 |
The individual increases are modest, but for families applying together — where fees apply per person — the cumulative cost can be noticeably higher. IRCC has confirmed that fees for accompanying family members will also increase in line with the same structure.
Citizenship Fee Increase Already in Effect
A separate but related change has already taken effect. From 31st March 2026, the Right of Citizenship fee for adults applying for Canadian citizenship has increased:
- Previous fee: $85.86
- New fee: $88.19
This applies to individuals applying for Canadian citizenship after meeting the required residency conditions.
Should You Apply Before the Fee Increase?
If your application is ready and your documents are complete, submitting before 30th April 2026 could result in modest savings — particularly for family applications where multiple individual fees apply. However, the increases are relatively small, and submitting an incomplete application simply to beat the deadline is not advisable. A well-prepared, complete submission will always be more valuable than a rushed one.
If you are already mid-way through your application process, this is a good moment to review your documents and accelerate your timeline where possible.
Conclusion
Canada remains one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for skilled workers, students, and families, and the 2026 fee increases — while real — are incremental and part of a predictable adjustment cycle. For applicants who are ready to submit, acting before 30th April 2026 locks in the current lower fee structure. For those still gathering documents, the fee increase alone should not alter long-term immigration plans — what matters most is presenting a complete and accurate application.