New permanent residence fees effective April 30, 2026

The current fee structure

Permanent residence applications involve more than one government fee: a processing fee tied to the application category, and, for most economic-class principal applicants, a separate Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) paid once approved in principle. As of the April 30, 2026 adjustment, the RPRF rose from $575 to $600, and the economic-class processing fee rose to $990, bringing the combined base cost for that applicant to $1,590.

Why the fees changed

IRCC fees for permanent residence applications are adjusted on a two-year cycle under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, intended to help offset administration costs and respond to growing volumes. This is a routine, scheduled mechanism, so further increases on a similar cadence should be expected in future years.

Budgeting for more than just the application fee

The processing fee and RPRF are usually only part of the total cost. Depending on the program, applicants often also budget for biometrics, medical examinations, language testing, and document translation or authentication. Families applying together should note that fees are generally charged per person, so the total for a family of four looks quite different from the headline figure quoted for a single applicant.

Planning around fee timing

Because processing times can run well beyond a year and fees are reviewed on a two-year cycle, the fee in effect when an application is submitted can differ from the fee in effect if a later payment is required. Keeping a copy of the fee schedule that applied at filing, and checking canada.ca if a file is unusually delayed, helps avoid underpayment surprises.