If you are planning to apply for permanent residence in Canada, there is one date you need to mark on your calendar: April 30, 2026.
On March 27, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that permanent residence application fees will increase across all programs effective that date. Applications received on or after April 30, 2026 will be subject to the new — higher — fees.
Here is everything you need to know.
Why Are Fees Increasing?
Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, permanent residence fees are reviewed and adjusted every two years. The stated purpose is to offset the cost of running the immigration program and keep pace with inflation and growing application demand. This is a scheduled, regulatory adjustment — not an unexpected policy change.
The New Fee Schedule: Program-by-Program Breakdown
Below are the updated fees for principal applicants, effective April 30, 2026:
| Program | Current Fee | New Fee | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right of Permanent Residence | $575 | $600 | +$25 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | $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 |
The most significant increase is in the Business Immigration category, which rises by $85. Provincial Nominee Program applicants will see a $40 increase — notable given how popular PNP streams have become for skilled workers.
What Does This Mean for You?
If your application is ready to submit, filing before April 30, 2026 means you pay the current, lower fee. Depending on your program, that could save you anywhere from $15 to $85 per principal applicant — with additional fees applying for dependants.
If your application is not yet ready, do not rush and risk submitting an incomplete file. A rejected or returned application can cost you more in time and stress than the fee difference. Getting it right the first time is always the priority.
If you are still in the early stages of your immigration journey, this is a good reminder that immigration costs can change — and that planning ahead with a legal professional helps you avoid surprises.
Who Is Most Affected?
Skilled workers applying through the Provincial Nominee Program and those pursuing Business Immigration will feel the biggest impact of these increases. Family class sponsors and those on humanitarian grounds will see modest but still meaningful bumps in cost.
Act Before April 30 — Talk to Visaserve Today
At Visaserve Immigration Law P.C., we help clients across all permanent residence streams submit accurate, complete applications — the first time. If you have been considering applying and your documents are in order, now is the time to move.
Contact us at info@visaserve.ca or call 905-203-2266 to speak with our team and find out if you can get your application in before the fee increase takes effect.
