Have you ever thought about becoming a permanent resident of Canada? Before you start getting ready for your PR application, you might want to find out how much it costs, as there are some fees to get immigration documents regardless of which immigration documents you need. In this article, I will list the fees that are set out in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) and the fees you will likely to pay in order to obtain immigration documents. However, please note that you still have to meet all the requirements and gather documents you are required to submit, and these fees do not guarantee you permanent residency. There is also a chance that the immigration law changes, which could result in the application process entirely. So, please check the processing time to estimate how long it actually takes when you submit your application.
How Much Does it Cost to Get Permanent Residency?
This will depend on which program you apply for permanent residency, and the complete list of fees is found here. In general, you will need to pay the application processing fee and the right of permanent residence fee. At the time of submission, you will need to pay the application processing fee, but you can choose to pay the right of permanent residence fee later. If you decide to pay the right of permanent residence fee together with the application processing fee, the right of the right of permanent residence fee is refunded if your application is denied.
Economy Class
Applicants who apply for permanent residency under Atlantic Immigration Pilot, Canadian Experience Class, Caregivers, Federal Skilled Workers Program, Federal Skilled Trades, Provincial Nominee, and Quebec-Selected Skilled Workers Program will need to pay the fees below.
- Application processing Fee-CAD $825 per adult(main applicant and accompanying spouse) and CAD $225 per child [IRPR Section 295(1)(c)]
- The Right of Permanent Residence Fee-CAD $500 [IRPR Section 303(1)]
Business Class
Applicants who apply for permanent residency under Self-Employed People, Start-up Visa, Quebec Business Immigration Class, and Quebec Entrepreneur Class.
- Application processing Fee-CAD $1,575 for the main applicant, CAD $825 for an accompanying spouse, and CAD $150 per child [IRPR Section 295(1)(b)]
- The Right of Permanent Residence Fee-CAD $500 [IRPR Section 303(1)]
Family Class
Applicants who apply for permanent residency with sponsorship are required to pay the application processing fee, the right of permanent residence fee, and the sponsorship fee.
- Application processing Fee-CAD $475 for the main applicant, CAD $75 per dependent child
- The right of Permanent Residence Fee-CAD $500
- Sponsorship Fee- CAD $75
Other Fees for Permanent Residency
There are other than fees I listed above. Some of the fees below do not have set prices, so you can “shop” around to find the best price.
- Medical Fees
Applicants for permanent residency need to go through the medical exams performed by a panel physician. The fee of full-medical exam varies and is not refundable even if your application is refused. The panel physician often refers the applicants to a chest x-ray and laboratory tests, and their costs differ from one place to another. You can find a panel physician who is approved by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) here.
- Police Certificate
You need to submit a police certificate from every country you live for more than 6 months since the age of 18. Some countries require fees to issue a police certificate, and the cost differs from one place to another. How you can obtain a police certificate depends on a country, and you can find instructions here.
- Biometric Fee
The fee for biometric is set. CAD $85 per person and CAD $170 for family( 2 or more) [IRPR Section 12.1(a) and Section 315.1(1)]. You can find a Visa Application Centre, a place you can take photo and provide fingerprints, here.
- Postage Fees
It will depend on which country you send your application form and which company use to deliver your application.
- Professional Fees
This will depend on the program you apply for and which company you use. The price will vary from one company to another, so there isn’t a good reference for you, unfortunately. From my research which is not very extensive, the professional fee to pay an immigration lawyer is higher than the fees of an immigration consultant. I strongly recommend asking the price, and the professional fees include the application processing fees, the right of permanent residency fee, and other related fees.
- Provincial Nominee Program Fees
You may need to pay an additional fee if you apply for permanent residency under a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and the cost varies. Also, you will need to have settlement funds for the size of your family if you do not have a job offer in Canada. Even though you do not need to pay anything from it, you, as an applicant, need to demonstrate your ability to support you and your family once you arrive in Canada.
- Settlement Funds
If you apply for permanent residency for one of the economy programs and live outside Canada, you likely need to prove that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you land. The amount you need to have depends on the size of your family. Please visit here to find out how much money you need to have for your settlement.
Conclusion
You will likely to pay somewhere around CAD $1,500-$2,000 (the application processing fee, the right of permanent residence fee, and medical exam fees) if you decide to file your application all by yourself. If you have additional family members, require a temporary resident visa to extend your stay in Canada while you wait for the result, or use an immigration lawyer/consultant, the cost goes up. Ensure that you have more than enough required settlement funds as well!
