Permanent residence fee increases

Summary#

The government is increasing Canada’s permanent residence application fees effective April 30, 2024. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, fees are being raised by the cumulative Consumer Price Index change for 2022–2023 and rounded to the nearest $5; the notice lists the old and new amounts for various application types for the period April 2024–March 2026.

What it does#

• Raises permanent residence fees on April 30, 2024 by the two‑year cumulative change in the Consumer Price Index (rounded to the nearest $5).
• Updates specific fees (current → new):
  • Right of Permanent Residence Fee — Principal applicant and accompanying spouse/common‑law partner: $515 → $575.
  • Economic streams (examples: Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class, and most economic pilots) — Principal applicant: $850 → $950; accompanying spouse/partner: $850 → $950; accompanying dependent child: $230 → $260.
  • Caregiver streams (Live‑in Caregiver and caregiver pilots) — Principal applicant: $570 → $635; accompanying spouse/partner: $570 → $635; dependent child: $155 → $175.
  • Business (federal and Quebec) — Principal applicant: $1,625 → $1,810; accompanying spouse/partner: $850 → $950; dependent child: $230 → $260.
  • Family reunification (spouses/partners/children; parents/grandparents; other relatives) — Sponsorship fee: $75 → $85; sponsored principal applicant: $490 → $545; sponsored child (under 22, not a spouse/partner): $75 → $85; accompanying spouse/partner: $570 → $635; dependent child: $155 → $175.
  • Protected persons — Principal applicant: $570 → $635; accompanying spouse/partner: $570 → $635; dependent child: $155 → $175.
  • Humanitarian and compassionate / Public policy — Principal applicant: $570 → $635 (exemptions apply in some cases); accompanying spouse/partner: $570 → $635; dependent child: $155 → $175.
  • Permit holders (principal applicants only) — $335 → $375.
• Gives a contact for questions: Martin Mulligan, Director, Fees (contact details provided in the notice).

Who's affected#

• People applying for permanent residence in Canada (principal applicants).
• Their accompanying family members (spouses/common‑law partners and dependent children) in most streams.
• Applicants in specific streams named above: economic programs, business, caregiver programs, family sponsorships, protected persons, humanitarian/public policy cases, and permit holders converting to permanent residence.
• The notice comes from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration (the department responsible for these fees).

Why it matters#

• Applicants and sponsors should budget for higher fees when filing after April 30, 2024.
• The increases are automatic and routine: they track inflation (CPI) for the previous two years and are rounded to the nearest $5, so fees are reviewed on a predictable schedule.
• Some applicants (for example certain dependent children and protected persons) remain exempt from the Right of Permanent Residence Fee in specified circumstances — check the notice or contact the department for details.