Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada has announced an increase in application fees for many Canadian Permanent Residence applications. According to IRCC, current fees only cover 35% of the total cost associated with administering its permanent residence programs. The fee increases will be implemented in two phases. The Phase 1 fee increase takes effect on April 30, 2020 at 9:00 AM (EDT).
In Phase 1, application fees for economic class applications will increase by 50% for principal applicants and their accompanying family members in the following programs:
Fees, for principal applicants of the Self-Employed and Start-Up Visa programs, will increase from $1,050 to $1,575;
Also impacted are the Federal high skilled programs under Express Entry; Provincial Nominees; the Atlantic Immigration Pilot program, and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program. Fees will increase from $550 to $825.
Fees for spouses or common-law partners of economic class applicants will increase from $550 to $825; and
Fees for dependent children in economic class programs will increase from $150 to $225.
Notably, there will be no increase for principal applicants and their families in the Caregivers programs. However, the Right of Permanent Residence fee (RPRF) will increase from $490 to $500. Exemptions to the RPRF will remain including the exemption for dependent children of applicants.
Phase 2 will commence in 2022. Every two years thereafter, selected permanent residence fees will increase by the applicable Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase and rounded to the nearest $5
This update has been compiled with the latest available information for the general information of Border Law clients and other interested parties. This Update is not comprehensive and should not be relied upon without appropriate legal advice.