Canada Immigration Fees: 7 Key Costs to Avoid Mistakes
Canada immigration fees can be one of the most confusing parts of preparing an application. Whether you are applying for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit, permanent residence, family sponsorship, PR card, citizenship, or another immigration service, the total cost may include more than one fee.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, commonly known as IRCC, charges different fees depending on the application type. Some costs are paid directly to IRCC, while others may be paid to doctors, police authorities, language testing organizations, credential assessment agencies, translators, or document providers.
This guide explains how Canada immigration fees work, which costs applicants should plan for, where to check official fees, how payment and refunds may work, and what mistakes to avoid before submitting an application.
Important: This article is for general information only. Immigration fees can change. Always confirm the latest fee amount on the official IRCC website before paying or submitting an application.
Table of Contents
Canada Immigration Fees: Quick Overview
Canada immigration fees are the official charges and related costs that may apply when someone submits an immigration, citizenship, travel, or permanent residence application to Canada.
Some fees are paid directly to IRCC. These may include application processing fees, biometrics fees, permanent residence fees, citizenship fees, PR card fees, or other government service fees. Other costs may be paid to third parties, such as panel physicians, police authorities, language test providers, ECA organizations, translators, or courier companies.
| Cost Type | Usually Paid To | Common Example |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | IRCC | Visitor visa, study permit, work permit, permanent residence |
| Biometrics fee | IRCC | Fingerprints and photo collection |
| Medical exam cost | Panel physician or clinic | Immigration medical exam |
| Police certificate cost | Police authority or issuing office | Police clearance certificate |
| Third-party document costs | Outside organizations | Language test, ECA, translation, courier |
Official IRCC fee list: Citizenship and immigration application fees
Who This Canada Immigration Fees Guide Is For
This guide is for applicants who want to understand possible costs before applying to visit, study, work, immigrate, sponsor family, renew a PR card, or apply for citizenship in Canada.
It may be useful if you are preparing for:
- A visitor visa or eTA-related travel plan
- A study permit or study permit extension
- A work permit or work permit extension
- Permanent residence through Express Entry or another program
- Family sponsorship
- A PR card renewal or replacement
- Canadian citizenship
- Biometrics, medical exams, police certificates, translations, or language tests
This guide does not list every fee for every program. Instead, it explains the main cost categories and shows where applicants should confirm the official current amount.
Where to Check Official Canada Immigration Fees
The safest place to check Canada immigration fees is the official IRCC fee list. This page separates fees by category, including temporary residence, permanent residence, family sponsorship, citizenship, biometrics, and other services.
You should also read the application guide for your specific application. Some applications require payment before submission, some require uploading a receipt, and some calculate fees inside the online application system.
Official fee resources:
Tip: Do not rely only on old screenshots, forum answers, or social media comments for immigration fees. Fees can change, so check the official IRCC page before paying.
7 Key Canada Immigration Fees and Costs to Avoid Mistakes
1. Application Processing Fees
The main part of Canada immigration fees is usually the application processing fee. This is the amount you pay to submit or process a specific application.
Application fees vary by program. A visitor visa, study permit, work permit, PR card, family sponsorship application, permanent residence application, and citizenship application can all have different fees.
Before paying, make sure you select the correct application type and the correct number of applicants. Paying too little or choosing the wrong fee can create delays.
2. Biometrics Fees
Some applicants must give biometrics, which usually means fingerprints and a photo. If biometrics are required, there is usually a biometrics fee.
IRCC commonly lists the biometrics fee as CAD $85 for one individual applicant and CAD $170 as the maximum total fee for families applying at the same time. However, always check the official biometrics page before paying because rules and exemptions can depend on the application.
Official biometrics page: Biometrics for immigration and citizenship applications
3. Right of Permanent Residence Fee
Some permanent residence applicants must pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, often called the RPRF. This fee is separate from some processing fees and is connected to becoming a permanent resident.
IRCC’s fee list shows the Right of Permanent Residence Fee as CAD $600 after the 2026 permanent residence fee increase. You can often pay this fee at the same time as your application fees to avoid finalization delays.
Official fee change page: IRCC: Fee changes
4. Medical Exam Costs
Some applicants need an immigration medical exam. This cost is usually paid to a panel physician or clinic, not directly to IRCC.
The cost can vary by country, clinic, applicant age, and required tests. Some applicants may need x-rays, blood tests, or additional medical follow-up.
Official medical exam page: Medical exams for immigration
5. Police Certificate Costs
Many permanent residence applicants and some other applicants may need police certificates. A police certificate helps IRCC review criminal background information.
Police certificate costs can vary by country, city, issuing authority, fingerprint requirement, delivery method, and translation needs. Some countries may also require a request letter before issuing a certificate.
Official police certificate page: Police certificates for immigration applications
6. Language Test and ECA Costs
If you are applying through Express Entry or certain economic immigration programs, you may need language test results and an Educational Credential Assessment, also called an ECA.
These costs are usually paid to third-party organizations, not IRCC. The amount may depend on the test provider, ECA organization, country, delivery option, and whether you need additional copies.
Official Express Entry documents page: Documents for Express Entry
7. Translation, Courier and Other Document Costs
Some applicants also need to pay for certified translations, notarized copies, courier delivery, passport photos, document replacement, bank letters, or professional assistance.
These costs may not appear in the IRCC fee list, but they can still affect your total budget. This is especially true if your documents come from more than one country or are not in English or French.
Common Canada Immigration Fees by Application Type
The table below shows common fee categories by application type. It is a planning guide only and does not replace the official IRCC fee list.
| Application Type | Common Fee Categories |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa | Application fee, biometrics if required, translations if needed |
| Study permit | Application fee, biometrics, medical exam if required, school documents, translations |
| Work permit | Application fee, biometrics, medical exam if required, employer documents, translations |
| Permanent residence | Processing fee, right of permanent residence fee, biometrics, medical exam, police certificates |
| Family sponsorship | Sponsorship fee, applicant fee, right of permanent residence fee, biometrics and documents if required |
| Citizenship | Citizenship application fees and supporting document costs |
How to Pay Canada Immigration Fees
Many Canada immigration fees can be paid online, but the exact payment method depends on the application type and where you are applying from.
Before paying, check:
- The exact application type
- The number of applicants
- Whether biometrics are required
- Whether the right of permanent residence fee applies
- Whether you need to upload a payment receipt
- Whether your payment method is accepted
Official payment page: Pay your IRCC fees online
Can You Get a Refund?
Refund rules depend on the fee type and the stage of the application. Some fees may be refundable in certain situations, while others may not be refunded after processing starts or after a service has already been provided.
For example, application processing fees, biometrics fees, and the right of permanent residence fee may follow different refund rules. Always check the official IRCC refund instructions for your situation.
Official refund page: Request a refund
Common Canada Immigration Fees Mistakes
Many applicants make avoidable mistakes with Canada immigration fees. These mistakes can delay an application or create extra work.
Using an Old Fee Amount
Immigration fees can change. If you use an old screenshot, old blog post, or old forum answer, you may pay the wrong amount.
Forgetting Biometrics Fees
If biometrics are required and you do not pay the correct fee, IRCC may need to contact you later. This can slow down the process.
Missing the Right of Permanent Residence Fee
Some permanent residence applicants can pay the right of permanent residence fee later, but paying it at the right time can help avoid finalization delays.
Paying on the Wrong Website
Use official IRCC payment pages whenever required. Be careful with unofficial websites that charge extra fees or look like government pages.
Forgetting Third-Party Costs
The official IRCC fee may not include medical exams, police certificates, language tests, ECA reports, translations, courier services, or professional help.
Related Immigration Guides
These related guides may help you understand application costs, documents, and related steps:
- eTA Canada: 7 Key Rules to Avoid Travel Mistakes
- Visitor Visa vs eTA Canada: 7 Key Mistakes to Avoid
- Express Entry Documents Checklist for Canada PR
- Biometrics for Canada Immigration Explained
- Medical Exam for Canada Immigration Explained
Helpful Official Resources
Use these official resources to confirm current Canada immigration fees and payment rules:
- IRCC: Citizenship and immigration application fees
- IRCC: Pay your fees online
- IRCC: Request a refund
- IRCC: Fee changes
- IRCC: Biometrics
FAQ About Canada Immigration Fees
Where can I check Canada immigration fees?
The safest place is the official IRCC fee list. You should also check the application guide for your specific program before paying.
Do all Canada immigration applications require a fee?
Most applications require a fee, but the amount and payment method depend on the application type. Some services may have different rules or exemptions.
Are biometrics included in the application fee?
Not always. Biometrics may be a separate fee if required for your application. Check the official fee list and your application instructions.
Can immigration fees change?
Yes. IRCC fees can change. Always check the current official fee list before paying, especially if you are using older information.
Can I get a refund if my application is refused?
Refund rules depend on the fee and application stage. Some fees may not be refunded once processing has started, while other fees may be refundable in certain situations.
Final Thoughts
Canada immigration fees are not always limited to one government application fee. Depending on your situation, you may also need to budget for biometrics, medical exams, police certificates, permanent residence fees, language tests, credential assessments, translations, and document delivery.
The best approach is to start with the official IRCC fee list, then review the application guide for your specific program. Do not rely only on old posts, screenshots, or estimates because fees can change.
Before submitting your application, make sure you paid the correct amount, saved your receipt, followed the correct payment process, and included any required proof of payment. A small fee mistake can create avoidable delays.
Last updated: July 2026