Canada PR Fee Increase 2026: IRCC Hikes Immigration & Citizenship Costs
Executive Summary: 2026 IRCC Fee Increases
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is officially raising the cost of immigrating to Canada. Processing fees across all major Permanent Residence (PR) and Citizenship categories are increasing this Spring.
- Citizenship Fees: The Right of Citizenship fee will increase on March 31, 2026.
- PR Processing Fees: All Permanent Residence application fees, including Express Entry, Family Sponsorship, and PNP, will increase on April 30, 2026.
- The RPRF Trap: Even if you submitted your PR application before the deadline, if you deferred paying your Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) until the end of the process, you must pay the new, higher rate.
Canada PR Fee Increase 2026: IRCC Hikes Immigration & Citizenship Costs
If you are preparing to submit your Canadian Permanent Residence (PR) or Citizenship application, you need to budget for a sudden price hike. The federal government has announced across-the-board fee increases for virtually all economic, family, and humanitarian immigration programs.
These new costs will impact everyone from Express Entry candidates and Provincial Nominees to spouses being sponsored by their Canadian partners. Understanding exactly when these fees kick in—and what to do if your application crosses the deadline—is critical to avoiding returned applications and processing delays.
Submit Your Application Before the Fees Increase — Book a Consultation1. The 2026 Permanent Residence Fee Schedule
Effective April 30, 2026, processing fees and right of residence fees will increase for PR applicants. Below is the complete, updated fee schedule issued by IRCC:
| Immigration Program | Applicant Type | Old Fee (CAD) | New Fee (April 30, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | Principal applicant & accompanying spouse/partner | $575 | $600 |
| Federal High Skilled (Express Entry, PNP, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration, Economic Pilots) | Principal applicant | $950 | $990 |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $950 | $990 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $260 | $270 | |
| Business Immigration (Federal and Quebec, Start-Up Visa, Self-Employed) | Principal applicant | $1,810 | $1,895 |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $950 | $990 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $260 | $270 | |
| Family Reunification (Spousal/Partner, Parent, Grandparent Sponsorship) | Sponsorship fee (paid by sponsor) | $85 | $90 |
| Sponsored principal applicant | $545 | $570 | |
| Sponsored dependent child (under 22) | $85 | $90 | |
| Protected Persons & Refugees | Principal applicant | $635 | $660 |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $635 | $660 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $175 | $180 | |
| Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C) or Public Policy | Principal applicant | $635 | $660 |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $635 | $660 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $175 | $180 | |
| Permit Holders Class | Principal applicant | $375 | $390 |
IRCC defines a dependent child as someone who is under the age of 22 AND does not have a spouse or common-law partner.
Children aged 22 or older can only qualify as dependents if they have relied on their parents for financial support since before turning 22 and are unable to financially support themselves due to a physical or mental condition.
2. Canadian Citizenship Fee Increase
Permanent Residents applying to naturalize as Canadian citizens will also face a price hike, and this change happens a full month earlier than the PR fee increases.
Effective March 31, 2026, the Right of Citizenship Fee will increase. This fee is mandatory for all applicants aged 18 and older, and is paid alongside the standard citizenship processing fee.
| Fee Type | Old Fee (CAD) | New Fee (March 31, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Right of Citizenship Fee | $119.75 | $123.00 |
Avoid Costly Application Delays
Submitting the wrong fee amount guarantees your application will be delayed or returned. Let our licensed immigration experts prepare your application package to ensure all fees and documents are perfectly aligned with IRCC's new rules.
Book an Application Review Session3. The "Deferred RPRF" Trap: Read Carefully
When you submit a PR application, IRCC gives you the option to pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) upfront, or defer the payment until the very end of the process, right before your PR is approved.
4. What if I Already Paid the Old Fee?
If you fall into the transition window, here is how IRCC handles your application:
- Online Applications: If you applied and paid your fees online before 11:59 PM on April 29 (for PR) or March 30 (for Citizenship), IRCC received your funds immediately. You are grandfathered into the old rates and do not need to do anything.
- Paper/Mailed Applications: If you mailed a physical application before the deadline, IRCC will generally accept the old fee amount as long as the package was complete and postmarked before the fee change date.
How to Pay the Difference if You Make a Mistake
If you submit an application after the deadline but accidentally pay the old fee amount, IRCC will contact you with instructions to make up the shortfall. To avoid having your file returned, you can pay the difference proactively:
- Calculate the exact gap between the old fee and the new fee for every person on your application.
- Go to IRCC's official online ePayment tool.
- Select the option to "Make an additional payment or pay other fees."
- Enter the total difference in the "Quantity" field and complete the transaction.
- Submit the newly generated receipt to IRCC following the instructions they sent you via your online portal or email.
Secure Your Canadian Future Today
With processing fees rising and Express Entry competition fiercer than ever, there is no time to waste. Contact Liberty Immigration today to build a comprehensive, cost-effective strategy for your Canadian Permanent Residence.
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