Higher Fees for Government-funded Removals

Summary#

The final rule, Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, updates how the government recovers the cost of removing people from Canada. It sets new fees — $3,840 for unescorted removals and $12,880 for removals under escort by air — exempts people who were under 18 when the removal order was made, and comes into force on April 1, 2025.

What it does#

• Replaces the old geographic fee system (previously lower flat fees for the United States and elsewhere) with two new amounts:
  • $3,840 for removal without an escort or for escorted removals that are not by air.
  • $12,880 for removals under escort by air.
• Says that if a person is flown under a medical escort, the lower $3,840 fee applies instead of the higher air-escort fee.
• Exempts people who were under 18 at the time their removal order was made from having to repay removal costs. That exemption applies even for past removals.
• Keeps the pre-existing rules for people who were 18 or older when removed before the new rules start.
• Establishes that the fees will be adjusted annually by inflation (CPI) under the Service Fees Act.
• Changes IT and processing at government agencies so applications or entry may be blocked until outstanding removal costs are repaid or an exemption is granted.

Who's affected#

• People who were removed from Canada at the government's expense and later apply to return (for a visa, permit, eTA or entry at a port of entry).
• People who were removed under escort by air — they face the higher $12,880 fee unless the escort was for medical reasons.
• People who were under 18 when their removal order was made — they are exempt from repaying removal costs.
• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) — these agencies will collect the fees and enforce the rule.
• Transport companies can still be liable in some cases, and if a transporter’s liability is used then the person may not be charged directly; the rule applies only when transporter liability has not been recovered.

Why it matters#

• The practical effect is higher costs for many people who want to come back to Canada after being removed. That could make return harder or slower for low-income and vulnerable people.
• The government says the new fees better reflect actual removal costs and may encourage people to leave voluntarily to avoid government-paid removals.
• The rules carve out protections: minors are fully exempt, and medical escorts are charged the lower fee. The previously proposed detention fee was dropped after consultation.
• The government estimates these changes will generate about $8.0 million (present value) over 10 years, while also requiring new IT and processing changes to prevent entry or approval when fees are unpaid.
• Stakeholders (refugee groups, legal associations and others) raised concerns that higher fees could harm family reunification and disproportionately affect vulnerable and racialized people; the government adjusted the proposal in response to some of those concerns.