Canada to Raise Permanent Residence Fees by April 2026

The Government of Canada has announced an increase in permanent residence application fees, set to take effect on April 30, 2026. The new fee structure will see increases ranging from 15% to 85%, depending on the immigration category.

This adjustment is part of a regular review process conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, aimed at sustaining immigration services in light of growing demand. The principal application fee for permanent residence will rise from CAD 575 to CAD 600, which will impact new applications submitted after the effective date.

The fee changes reflect Canada’s broader immigration strategy to manage increasing application volumes while maintaining service standards. In 2025, Canada is projected to admit 393,500 new permanent residents, slightly below the previous year, as the country addresses population growth pressures and public service demands.

As of January 2026, there are 2 million applications across various immigration categories, with 990,300 already in backlog beyond standard processing timelines.