Canada Permanent Residence: Upcoming Changes Fees Starting April 2024
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced adjustments to the fees associated with the application for permanent residence (PR) in Canada. These adjustments will take effect from 9:00:00 AM Eastern Time on April 30, 2024, and are in line with the Immigrant and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). The fee changes are calculated based on the cumulative percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Canada, as reported by Statistics Canada. This update outlines the revised fee structure for various PR application categories for the period from April 2024 to March 2026.
Revised Fee Structure for Permanent Residence Applications
Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)
- For the principal applicant and their accompanying spouse or common-law partner, the fee will increase from $515 to $575.
Federal Skilled Worker Program, Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class, and Economic Pilots (including Rural and Agri-Food)
- The fee for the principal applicant and their accompanying spouse or common-law partner will rise from $850 to $950.
- The fee for each accompanying dependent child will increase from $230 to $260.
Live-in Caregiver Program and Caregiver Pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot)
- The principal applicant and their accompanying spouse or common-law partner will see an increase in their fees from $570 to $635.
- The fee for each accompanying dependent child will be adjusted from $155 to $175.
Business Immigration (Federal and Quebec)
- Principal applicants will now pay $1,810, up from $1,625.
- Accompanying spouses or common-law partners will have their fees increased from $850 to $950.
- The fee for each accompanying dependent child will rise from $230 to $260.
Family Reunification (including spouses, partners, children, parents, grandparents, and other relatives)
- The sponsorship fee will increase from $75 to $85.
- The fee for sponsored principal applicants will rise from $490 to $545, while sponsored children (under 22 years old and not a spouse/partner) will see an increase from $75 to $85.
- Fees for accompanying spouses or common-law partners and dependent children will increase to $635 and $175, respectively.
Protected Persons and Humanitarian and Compassionate Consideration/Public Policy
- Fees for the principal applicant, their accompanying spouse or common-law partner, and each dependent child will increase from $570 to $635 and from $155 to $175, respectively.
Permit Holders Class
- The fee for principal applicants in this category will increase from $335 to $375.
Important Exemptions and Clarifications
IRCC highlights that certain applicant groups will continue to be exempt from the Right of Permanent Residence Fee. These include:
- Sponsored children under the family reunification class, provided they are under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship.
- Principal applicants applying under humanitarian and compassionate grounds or public policy, subject to specific conditions.
Additionally, it’s important to note that applicants in the “permit holder” class are required to apply for PR as principal applicants without including accompanying family members in their applications.
These fee adjustments reflect Canada’s commitment to maintaining a fair and sustainable immigration system. As these changes may impact your application process, we recommend consulting with a professional immigration consultant to ensure you are prepared for these updates.
For further assistance or to discuss how these changes might affect your application, please do not hesitate to reach out for a consultation.
