As announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in early April, the fees for permanent residence applications are set to increase.
The increase in fees is less than two weeks away - it will take effect on April 30 - and will affect fees for applications in the economic, permit holder, family and humanitarian immigration classes.
"The Government of Canada supports a cost-effective approach to financing government programs, where most of the costs are the responsibility of those who receive the services and benefit directly from them," IRCC said in a press release.
The previous increase dates back to 2020, when the IRCC introduced its first fee adjustment for permanent residence applications since 2002, saying it was in response to inflation.
It also announced at the time that from then on fees would be increased every two years to keep pace with current rates of inflation.
The pandemic disrupted supply chain networks around the world and in Canada as well, driving up the cost of living, including food and gasoline.
In February 2022, Canada's annual inflation rate reached 5.7%, the highest rate since August 1991.
The following table, provided by IRCC, gives a breakdown of the changes to the application fees that will take effect on 30 April 2022.
| Program | Applicants | Current Fee | New Fee April 30, 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee | Principal applicant and accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $500 | $515 |
| Federal High Skilled, Provincial Nominee Program and Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class and most Economic Pilots (Rural, Agri-Food) | Principal applicant | $825 | $850 |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $825 | $850 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $225 | $230 | |
| Live-in Caregiver Program and Caregivers Pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot) | Principal applicant | $550 | $570 |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $550 | $570 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $150 | $155 | |
| Business (Federal and Quebec) | Principal applicant | $1,575 | $1,625 |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $825 | $850 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $225 | $230 | |
| Family Reunification (Spouses, Partners and Children; Parents and Grandparents; and other relatives) | Sponsorship fee | $75 | $75 |
| Sponsored principal applicant | $475 | $490 | |
| Sponsored dependent child | $75 | $75 | |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $550 | $570 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $150 | $155 | |
| Protected Persons | Principal applicant | $550 | $570 |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $550 | $570 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $150 | $155 | |
| Humanitarian and Compassionate / Public Policy | Principal applicant | $550 | $570 |
| Accompanying spouse or common-law partner | $550 | $570 | |
| Accompanying dependent child | $150 | $155 | |
| Permit Holders | Principal applicant | $325 | $335 |
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