Canada is a very beautiful country with diverse cultures and people. It is known to have great opportunities for foreigners who are either looking to find a job, live, visit, or even study here. But how much does it cost to immigrate to Canada? And how can I afford it?
In this post, you will find the cost of several immigration and visa fees. For each visa application in Canada, you pay a certain fee. This fee is usually for processing your application, and the processing time depends entirely on which type of visa you are applying for. The general estimated time for any visa to Canada is at least 3 months except for special cases like medical conditions, or special assignments.
One thing you should have in mind is that Canada changes the price of processing fees for different applications. So, the amount on this page is by no means constant and it is bound to change in the future. This is just to give you an idea of what your budget should look like if you are going to apply for a visa to Canada.
What are the Fees You Pay For?
The programs that you should expect to for are narrowed down into 4 major groups, and then we can include other service charges and application charges such as IELTS fees and so on.
- Temporary residence fees;
- Permanent residence fees;
- Family sponsorship fees;
- Citizenship fees;
- Other applications and services fees;
Canada Temporary Residence Fees
Canada temporary residence application is for those who are coming to Canada to work temporarily, students who are coming to study, or visitors. The temporary visa is bound to expire at some point during your stay, and you will be required to renew it. There are 5 types of visa fees under the temporary residence application and they include
- Canada Visitor Visa Fee
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) Fees
- Work Permit Fees
- Study Permit Fees
- Biometric fees
| Visa | Type of fee | Amount $CAN |
| Visitor Visa | Visitor Visa Application Fee (including the Super Visa) for one person Visitor Visa Application Fee (including the Super Visa) for 5 or more persons Visa Extension fee Restoration Status as a Visitor | 100 500 100 200 |
| Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) | Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) Fees | 7 |
| Work Permit Fees | Work Permit Application Fee for one person. (Including extension applications) Work Permit Application Fee for a group of 3 or more Open Work Permit Fee Restoration Status | 155 465 100 355 (Includes restoration of status fee of $200 and a new work permit fee for $155) |
| Study Permit Fees | Study Permit Application Fee for one person. (Including extension applications) Restoration Status | 150 355 (Includes restoration of status fee of $200 and a new work permit fee for $155) |
| Biometric fees | Biometrics fee – per person Biometrics fee – for families of 2 or more members Biometrics fee – for a group of 3 or more performing artists | 85 170 255 |
Note: Biometrics fees cover the cost of a digital photo and fingerprint, it will also cover the costs of service at Visa Application Center where you submitted your application. These include fees to
- Help you check if your application is complete;
- Sending application to the visa office;
- Moving passports and supporting documents to and from the visa office;
- Tracking applications that are submitted online;
Canada Permanent Residence Fees
If you are eligible to apply for Canada’s permanent residency, then you should know the amount you are expected to pay. There are over 8 different fees you will be required to pay, each with its own difference depending on your interest.
Right to Permanent Residence Fee
This fee is mostly paid after your permanent resident application has been approved. The fee is only refundable if you withdraw your application or if the money is refused by the Canadian government. The permanent residence fee is CAD 490
Business Immigration Fees
This is for the investors and businessmen and women who are looking to immigrate to Canada. The fees apply for
- Self-employed people;
- Quebec business immigration;
- Start-up visa;
| Type of fee | $CAN |
| Permanent residence application fee | 1,540 |
| (Includes processing fee of $1,050 and right of permanent residence fee of $490) | |
| Permanent residence application fee Not Including the right of permanent residence fee) | 1,050 |
| Application fee including spouse or common-law partner | 1,040 |
| (Includes processing fee of $550 and right of permanent residence fee of $490) | |
| Application fee including spouse or common-law partner (Not Including the right of permanent residence fee) | 550 |
| Application fee including a dependent child – per child | 150 |
Economic Immigration Fees
Canada economic immigration comprises of different immigration programs, and these are some of the program fees you are required to pay for:
- Atlantic immigration pilot;
- Caregivers;
- Canadian Experience Class;
- Federal Skilled Trades;
- Federal Skilled Workers;
- Quebec-selected skilled workers;
- Provincial Nominee;
- Express Entry;
| Type of fee | $CAN |
| Economic immigration application fee | 1,040 |
| (Includes processing fee of $550 and right of permanent residence fee of $490) | |
| Application fee including spouse or common-law partner | 1,040 |
| (Includes processing fee of $550 and right of permanent residence fee of $490) | |
| Application fee including a dependent child – per child | 150 |
Humanitarian and compassionate immigration fees
| Type of fee | $CAN |
| Economic immigration application fee | 1,040 |
| (Includes processing fee of $550 and right of permanent residence fee of $490) | |
| Application fee including spouse or common-law partner | 1,040 |
| (Includes processing fee of $550 and right of permanent residence fee of $490) | |
| Application fee including a dependent child – per child | 150 |
Protected person immigration fees
The application fee for protected persons in Canada is $550 (the same also applies if your spouse or common-law partner is included). The application fee including a dependent child is $150.
Permit Holders Class Fees: Permit holders’ class application fee is $815 which includes the right of permanent residence fee of $490. The application fee without the rights of permanent residence is CAD 325.
Permanent resident cards fee: this is the card issued to you as a legal document that confirms you are a permanent resident in Canada. You will receive this card only when your application has been approved. Permanent resident card CAD 50
Permanent resident travel document: this document is only issued to you in a case where you lost your permanent resident card while on a trip outside of Canada. The fee for a permanent resident travel document is CAD 50.
