Canada Offers Visa Fee Waiver for Status Restoration

The Government of Canada, through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), confirmed that there is a specific instance where a visitor applying for a status change is exempt from paying a visa fee. According to the fee schedule updated on September 21, 2026, a standard visitor visa costs CA$100 (approximately ₦160,000) per person for single or multiple entries.

Families of five or more can pay a maximum of CA$500 (approximately ₦800,000) if all members apply simultaneously and all children qualify as dependants. The exception to the standard fee applies to individuals needing to restore their visitor status, who are not required to pay the visa fee.

However, they must still pay a separate restoration fee of CA$246.25 (approximately ₦394,000). This exemption pertains only to the visa component, not the entire application process.

The fee schedule also includes charges for extending visitor stays and various immigration categories, such as study and work permits.