Permanent Residence Fee Increases

Summary#

The Department of Citizenship and Immigration published a notice that most permanent residence application fees will rise on April 30, 2026 at 9:00:00 a.m., Eastern daylight time. The increases follow the change in the Consumer Price Index for 2024 and 2025, and the new fees are rounded to the nearest $5.

What it does#

• Updates permanent residence fees under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, as allowed by the Financial Administration Act.
• Raises many individual fees. Examples from the published table (current → new):
  • Right of Permanent Residence Fee (principal applicant and accompanying spouse/partner): $575 → $600.
  • Economic skilled streams (e.g. Federal Skilled, Provincial Nominee, Quebec Skilled Workers): principal applicant $950 → $990; accompanying spouse/partner $950 → $990; accompanying dependent child $260 → $270.
  • Home care / caregiver programs (opened before 2025): principal and spouse/partner $635 → $660; dependent child $175 → $180.
  • Business class (federal and Quebec): principal applicant $1,810 → $1,895; spouse/partner $950 → $990; child $260 → $270.
  • Family sponsorship and family-class applicants: sponsorship fee $85 → $90; sponsored principal applicant $545 → $570; sponsored child $85 → $90.
  • Protected persons and many humanitarian/public policy principal applicants: $635 → $660 for principal/spouse; dependent child $175 → $180.
  • Permit holder principal applicants: $375 → $390.
• The changes are the result of a biennial CPI adjustment (for 2024 and 2025) and are effective across the fee categories listed in the notice.
• The notice gives a contact for questions: Martin Mulligan, Director, Fees, Passport and Financial Business Intelligence (contact details provided in the original notice).

Who's affected#

• People applying for permanent residence in Canada as:
  • Principal applicants in economic, family, business, humanitarian, protected-person, and caregiver streams.
  • Accompanying spouses or common‑law partners.
  • Dependent children named on permanent residence applications.
  • Sponsors who pay the sponsorship fee for family reunification.
  • Permit holders applying for permanent residence (as principal applicants).
• Note: the notice and table identify that some groups (for example, dependent children and some protected persons) are exempt from the Right of Permanent Residence Fee — check the full table or official guidance to see who is exempt.

Why it matters#

• Applying for permanent residence will cost more starting April 30, 2026, sometimes by only a few dollars and sometimes substantially (for example, business-class principal fees rise by $85).
• The increases affect individuals and families budgeting for immigration fees, and may be especially noticeable for applicants who must pay multiple fees (e.g., principal + spouse + children).
• If you plan to apply near the date change, the effective time means applications submitted (or fees paid) before 9:00:00 a.m. EDT on April 30, 2026 may be charged the current rate; check the official instructions from the department.
• For questions or clarification, the notice lists the departmental contact (Martin Mulligan) and email/phone details in the original Canada Gazette publication.