Permanent residence fees went up on April 30, 2026. IRCC adjusts these fees every two years under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, and this cycle touches nearly every PR category. Here is the plain-English breakdown of what applicants pay now.
The new permanent residence fees at a glance
- Right of permanent residence fee: $575 → $600 (+$25)
- Provincial Nominee Program: $950 → $990 (+$40)
- Business immigration: $1,810 → $1,895 (+$85)
- Family class: $545 → $570 (+$25)
- Protected persons: $635 → $660 (+$25)
- Humanitarian & compassionate / public policy: $635 → $660 (+$25)
- Permit holders: $375 → $390 (+$15)
These are principal-applicant amounts; spouses, partners and dependants have their own fee lines, so budget for the full family total.
Which fee applies to you?
The date that matters is the date IRCC receives your application: received on or after April 30, 2026 = new fees. If you underpay under the old schedule, expect your application to be returned, which can cost you far more than the fee difference if a program cap or draw deadline passes while you resubmit.
Why permanent residence fees increase
The adjustment is automatic, every two years, tied to program costs and inflation. It isn’t a policy signal about admissions. But it is a reminder that immigration planning has a financial timeline too: filing before a scheduled increase can save a family hundreds of dollars.
Plan the whole cost, not just the fee
Government fees are only one line in a PR budget, language tests, credential assessments, medicals, police certificates and translations add up. When I plan an Express Entry or PNP application, the full cost map is part of the strategy conversation, alongside timing around draws and caps. If you’re transitioning from a work permit, the timing question matters twice.
Source: IRCC Notice, March 27, 2026 and the official fee list.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different: book a consultation to discuss your situation.
About the author
Miguel Martins Pereirinha is a Canadian immigration lawyer and partner at Slayen Immigration Law in Vancouver, British Columbia. He practises Canadian immigration law exclusively — work permits, permanent residence, family sponsorship, citizenship and inadmissibility — and works with clients in English and Portuguese.
