Canada Immigration Update 2026: New PR Fees Effective April 30

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially announced that permanent residence (PR) application fees across all major immigration categories will increase effective April 30, 2026.

This fee adjustment affects applicants under Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), family sponsorship, business immigration, humanitarian pathways, protected persons, and more.

If you are planning to submit your PR application soon, understanding these updated fees is essential to avoid delays, payment issues, or application rejection.

Why Is Canada Increasing PR Fees?

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, IRCC adjusts permanent residence fees every two years to help offset the operational costs of managing Canada’s immigration system and respond to increasing application volumes.

The last fee increase occurred on April 30, 2024. The 2026 increase applies to all PR applications received on or after April 30, 2026.

Full List of New Canada PR Fees (Effective April 30, 2026)

1. Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)

Fee Type	Old Fee	New Fee
Right of Permanent Residence Fee	CAD $575	CAD $600

This fee applies to most PR applicants and accompanying spouses/common-law partners.

Dependent children and protected persons are generally exempt from paying the RPRF.

2. Express Entry / Economic Immigration Programs

Includes:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Canadian Experience Class
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Provincial Nominee Program
• Atlantic Immigration Program
• Quebec Skilled Workers
• Rural and Francophone Community Pilots

Applicant Type	Old Fee	New Fee
Principal Applicant	CAD $950	CAD $990
Spouse/Common-law Partner	CAD $950	CAD $990
Dependent Child	CAD $260	CAD $270

3. Business Immigration Programs

Includes:

• Start-up Visa
• Self-Employed Program
• Quebec Business Immigration

Applicant Type	Old Fee	New Fee
Principal Applicant	CAD $1,810	CAD $1,895
Spouse/Common-law Partner	CAD $950	CAD $990
Dependent Child	CAD $260	CAD $270

This is one of the largest fee increases in dollar value.

4. Family Sponsorship Programs

Includes:

• Spouse Sponsorship
• Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
• Other Family Class Applications

Fee Type	Old Fee	New Fee
Sponsorship Fee	CAD $85	CAD $90
Sponsored Principal Applicant	CAD $545	CAD $570

5. Protected Persons & Humanitarian Applications

Category	Old Fee	New Fee
Protected Persons	CAD $635	CAD $660
Humanitarian & Compassionate	CAD $635	CAD $660

6. Permit Holders Class

Fee Type	Old Fee	New Fee
Application Fee	CAD $375	CAD $390

Who Will Be Affected?

You will be affected if:

• Your PR application is submitted on or after April 30, 2026
• You have not yet paid your application fees
• You still need to pay your Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)

Applications received before April 30 using the old fee structure generally remain unaffected.

What Happens If You Pay the Old Fee?

If you submit your application after April 30, 2026 using the old fee amount:

• IRCC may delay processing
• You may receive a request for additional payment
• Your application could face unnecessary complications

IRCC specifically advises applicants to confirm the updated fee amount before submission.

What Applicants Should Do Now

Before April 30, 2026:

1. Confirm Your Immigration Category

Different PR pathways have different fee structures.

2. Check the Official IRCC Fee List

Use the official IRCC fee page to verify exact amounts before payment.

3. Submit Early If Possible

If your documents are ready, submitting before April 30 may help avoid higher costs.

4. Keep Payment Receipts

Always retain proof of payment for your immigration records.

Conclusion

Canada’s PR fee increase effective April 30, 2026 may seem modest, but for families and business applicants, the total cost difference can be significant.

Whether you are applying through Express Entry, PNP, family sponsorship, or business immigration, preparing early can save both time and money.