Immigration Guide

PR application fee in Canada 2026: IRCC permanent residence fees by program

By Alex Francisco Updated Oct 8, 2026 Figures checked Oct 8, 2026 8 min read

How much is the PR application fee in Canada in 2026?

The PR application fee for most economic programs, including Express Entry, is $1,590 per adult in 2026: a $990 processing fee plus the $600 right of permanent residence fee. Each dependent child adds $270, and biometrics cost $85 per person or $170 per family. IRCC last raised permanent residence fees on April 30, 2026, and lists no further change.

An adult applying through Express Entry or another economic program pays IRCC $1,590: $990 for processing and $600 for the right of permanent residence fee.
An accompanying spouse or common-law partner pays the same $1,590, and each dependent child costs $270 with no right of permanent residence fee.
Biometrics cost $85 for one person and a maximum of $170 for a family applying at the same time; children under 14 and adults over 79 are exempt.
Sponsoring a spouse, partner, parent or grandparent costs $1,260, made up of a $90 sponsorship fee, a $570 processing fee and the $600 right of permanent residence fee.
The right of permanent residence fee is refunded if the application is withdrawn or refused; processing fees are not refunded once IRCC starts processing.
IRCC raised permanent residence fees on April 30, 2026, taking the right of permanent residence fee from $575 to $600, and lists no later change as of October 8, 2026.

— YieldMaple, figures checked against official sources on October 8, 2026. Sources

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes every permanent residence fee on its Fee list and records each increase on its Fee changes page. Every amount, date and rule on this page comes from those IRCC pages, checked on October 8, 2026. This page explains the fee schedule; it is not immigration or legal advice, and the amount shown in an applicant’s own IRCC account on the day of payment is the one that counts.

How much is the PR application fee in 2026?

The PR application fee is $1,590 for an adult on an economic immigration application, which covers Express Entry, provincial nominees and the other programs in the first row of the table. IRCC’s fee list shows two amounts for each adult: one that bundles the right of permanent residence fee (RPRF) and one without it.

IRCC permanent residence fees by program, 2026

How to read this table: amounts are in Canadian dollars per person, as listed on IRCC's Fee list on October 8, 2026. A dash means the fee list has no such line for that group. Biometrics are extra.

Program group	Principal applicant, with RPRF	Principal applicant, without RPRF	Spouse or partner, with RPRF	Each dependent child	What the group covers
Economic immigration, including Express Entry	$1,590	$990	$1,590	$270	Canadian experience class, federal skilled workers, federal skilled trades, provincial nominees, Atlantic immigration program, rural or francophone community immigration pilots, Quebec-selected skilled workers
Business immigration	$2,495	$1,895	$1,590	$270	Start-up visa, self-employed people, Quebec business immigration
Home care worker pilots opened in 2025	$1,590	$990	$1,590	$270	Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot: Child Care and Home Support
Caregiver programs opened before 2025	$1,260	$660	$1,260	$180	Live-in Caregiver Program and the closed caregiver pilots
Humanitarian and compassionate	$1,260	$660	$1,260	$180	Also the health-care worker pathway, the Hong Kong public policy and the TR to PR pathway
Protected person	—	$660	—	$180	No right of permanent residence fee applies
Permit holders class	$990	$390	—	—	Principal applicant only

Three points make the table easier to read:

The bundle is two fees. For economic programs, $1,590 is the $990 processing fee plus the $600 RPRF. The processing fee is due when the application is submitted; the RPRF can wait until approval.
Spouses pay the adult amount. An accompanying spouse or common-law partner pays the same processing fee and RPRF as the principal applicant in every group that has a spouse line except business immigration, where the principal applicant’s processing fee is $1,895 and the spouse’s is $990. The permit holders class lists a principal applicant fee only.
Children never pay the RPRF. A dependent child is $270 on economic and business applications and $180 on the other groups.

What do the worked totals look like for one adult, a couple and a family of four?

For an Express Entry or other economic application, the IRCC total is $1,675 for one adult, $3,350 for a couple and $3,890 for two adults with two dependent children. The table breaks each household down.

Household	Processing fees	RPRF	Biometrics	IRCC total	Due on submission if the RPRF is paid later
One adult	$990	$600	$85	$1,675	$1,075
A couple	$1,980	$1,200	$170	$3,350	$2,150
A couple with one dependent child	$2,250	$1,200	$170	$3,620	$2,420
A family of four: two adults and two dependent children	$2,520	$1,200	$170	$3,890	$2,690

The totals assume every adult gives biometrics and the family applies together, so the $170 family maximum applies from two people up. Children under 14 are exempt from biometrics, which changes nothing here because two adults already reach the maximum. A single parent with children under 14 would pay the $85 individual fee instead.

These are IRCC’s own fees only. Language tests, educational credential assessments, medical exams and police certificates are paid to other organizations, are not on IRCC’s fee list and vary by provider and country. Settlement funds are also separate: they are savings an applicant must show, not a fee paid to anyone. The settlement funds checker shows the proof-of-funds amount by family size for Express Entry.

What is the right of permanent residence fee?

The right of permanent residence fee is a $600 charge that most adults pay before they can become permanent residents. IRCC says it is due when the application is approved, and that paying it together with the application fees avoids delays. If IRCC approves an application before the RPRF is paid, it contacts the applicant with payment instructions.

The separate fees inside IRCC's permanent residence bundles

How to read this table: the bundled amounts on IRCC's fee list are sums of these lines. For example, an economic principal applicant's bundle is the processing fee plus the RPRF.

Fee	Amount	Who it applies to
Right of permanent residence fee (RPRF)	$600	Principal applicant and accompanying spouse or common-law partner
Economic immigration processing fee	$990	Principal applicant, and the same amount for an accompanying spouse or common-law partner
Economic immigration dependent child	$270	Each accompanying dependent child
Family sponsorship fee	$90	The sponsor
Sponsored principal applicant processing fee	$570	The sponsored spouse, partner, parent, grandparent or relative
Family reunification dependent child	$180	Each accompanying dependent child

The RPRF does not apply to:

dependent children of a principal applicant or sponsor;
sponsored adopted children;
a sponsored orphaned brother, sister, niece, nephew or grandchild;
protected persons, including convention refugees.

The RPRF is also the one fee that comes back. IRCC refunds it when an application is withdrawn or refused, and calls it the only fee it can refund after processing starts. For a couple, that is $1,200 of the total that is returned if the application does not succeed, while the processing fees stay with IRCC once processing has begun.

Paying later carries one risk that IRCC spells out: an applicant who applied without paying the RPRF pays whatever the fee is on the day it is paid. Someone who submitted before April 30, 2026 and paid the RPRF afterwards paid $600, not $575, a difference of $25 per adult.

How much are biometrics for a PR application?

Biometrics cost $85 for one applicant and no more than $170 for a family of 2 or more who apply at the same time. IRCC lists permanent residence among the applications that need fingerprints and a photo, and its Express Entry instructions list the biometrics fee beside the processing fee and the RPRF.

The family rate covers a spouse or common-law partner and dependent children. Children under 14 and applicants over 79 are exempt from giving biometrics. The fee is paid with the application; IRCC then sends a biometric instruction letter, which the applicant brings with a valid passport to an in-person appointment. Booking the appointment itself is free.

Biometrics, PR card and citizenship fees on IRCC's fee list

How to read this table: these fees are separate from the permanent residence application fees in the first table. The PR card and citizenship lines are paid after a person becomes a permanent resident.

Fee	Amount	Notes
Biometrics, per individual	$85	Fingerprints and photo; paid with the application
Biometrics, family of 2 or more applying at the same time	$170	Maximum total for a spouse or common-law partner and dependent children
Permanent resident card	$50	Renewal or replacement; delivered only to an address in Canada
Permanent resident travel document	$50	For a permanent resident outside Canada without a valid PR card
Verify your status or replace an immigration document	$30	Listed under other applications and services
Citizenship application, adult (18 and over)	$653	Includes the processing fee and the $123 right of citizenship fee
Citizenship application, minor (under 18)	$100	Processing fee only

What are the PR fees for family sponsorship?

Sponsoring a spouse, partner, parent or grandparent costs $1,260 with the RPRF or $660 without it. The bundle is a $90 sponsorship fee paid by the sponsor, a $570 processing fee for the sponsored person and the $600 RPRF.

IRCC family sponsorship fees, 2026

How to read this table: a dash in the With RPRF column means no right of permanent residence fee applies to that application. Amounts are per person and biometrics are extra.

Application	With RPRF	Without RPRF	What the amount includes
Sponsor your spouse or partner (abroad or in Canada)	$1,260	$660	Sponsorship fee, processing fee and, in the higher amount, the right of permanent residence fee
Include or independently sponsor a dependent child	—	$180	Per child; no right of permanent residence fee
Sponsor your parent or grandparent	$1,260	$660	Sponsorship fee, processing fee and, in the higher amount, the right of permanent residence fee
Include the spouse or partner of your parent, grandparent or relative	$1,260	$660	Processing fee and, in the higher amount, the right of permanent residence fee
Sponsor your relative (22 years or older)	$1,260	$660	Sponsorship fee, processing fee and, in the higher amount, the right of permanent residence fee
Sponsor your relative (under 22 and not your dependent child)	$780	$180	Sponsorship fee, processing fee and, in the higher amount, the right of permanent residence fee
Sponsor an adopted child or orphaned relative	—	$180	Per child; no right of permanent residence fee

For a hypothetical sponsor bringing a spouse and one dependent child aged 15, the IRCC total is $1,610. If the child were under 14 and exempt from biometrics, only the spouse would give them and the total would be $1,525. IRCC notes that Family Class fees can be paid when the sponsor files the sponsorship application. The spousal sponsorship guide walks through the rest of that application, which the fee list does not cover.

Do Express Entry, PNP and Canadian Experience Class applicants pay the same fee?

Yes. The Canadian experience class, federal skilled workers, federal skilled trades, provincial nominees, the Atlantic immigration program, the rural or francophone community pilots and Quebec-selected skilled workers all sit in one fee group on IRCC’s list: $1,590 per adult with the RPRF and $270 per dependent child.

Two details differ by route:

Express Entry. The fees are listed in the IRCC secure account as part of the application that follows an invitation to apply, and the invitation is valid for 60 days. Payment is by debit or credit card, and at a minimum the processing fees must be paid on submission. The CRS calculator estimates a profile’s score ahead of an invitation, and the Canadian Experience Class guide sets out that program’s work experience rules.
Provincial nominees. The federal fee is the same, but a province can charge its own fee for the nomination application. That provincial fee is paid to the province and is not on IRCC’s list. The OINP draws page tracks Ontario’s invitations.

When did IRCC fees last change, and is another increase announced?

Permanent residence fees last changed on April 30, 2026, and IRCC’s Fee changes page lists no later or upcoming change as of October 8, 2026. IRCC’s notice of March 27, 2026 says permanent residence fees are adjusted every two years under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, which matches the April 30, 2024 and April 30, 2026 increases; no date or amount for a later adjustment has been published. The table shows the old and new amounts IRCC published for that increase.

Old and new permanent residence fees: the April 30, 2026 increase

How to read this table: amounts come from the table 'List of old and new permanent residence fees' on IRCC's Fee changes page.

Program or fee	Applicant	Old fee	Fee from April 30, 2026
Right of permanent residence fee	Principal applicant and accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$575	$600
Economic programs (federal high skilled, provincial nominee, Quebec skilled workers, Atlantic and most economic pilots)	Principal applicant	$950	$990
Economic programs	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$950	$990
Economic programs	Accompanying dependent child	$260	$270
Business (federal and Quebec)	Principal applicant	$1,810	$1,895
Family reunification	Sponsorship fee	$85	$90
Family reunification	Sponsored principal applicant	$545	$570
Family reunification	Accompanying spouse or partner	$635	$660
Family reunification	Accompanying dependent child	$175	$180
Protected persons; humanitarian and compassionate or public policy	Principal applicant, or accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$635	$660
Permit holders class	Principal applicant	$375	$390

For an adult on an economic application, the bundle rose from $1,525 to $1,590, an increase of $65. For a family of four, the application fees before biometrics went from $3,570 to $3,720, or $150 more.

Recent IRCC fee changes that affect permanent residents

How to read this table: dates and amounts as recorded on IRCC's Fee changes page, which was last modified on September 21, 2026.

Date	What changed
April 30, 2024	Permanent residence fees increased; the right of permanent residence fee went from $515 to $575 and the economic principal applicant fee from $850 to $950
March 31, 2025	Right of citizenship fee increased from $100.00 to $119.75
March 31, 2026	Right of citizenship fee increased from $119.75 to $123.00
April 30, 2026	Permanent residence fees increased; the right of permanent residence fee went from $575 to $600 and the economic principal applicant fee from $950 to $990
October 8, 2026	No later or upcoming change is listed on IRCC's Fee changes page (date modified September 21, 2026)

IRCC’s rules for applications caught by an increase are specific. IRCC receives an online application immediately, and asks applicants to check that the correct amount was paid before submitting. For a complete application mailed before a fee change with the old fee, IRCC says that in most cases it does not reject the file and instead asks for the difference, paid through the “Make an additional payment or pay other fees” category of its online payment tool.

How do IRCC refunds work if an application is withdrawn or refused?

A full refund is available only when an application is withdrawn before IRCC starts processing it. After that point, the processing fee stays with IRCC and only certain fees are returned.

IRCC payment and refund rules for permanent residence fees

How to read this table: rules are summarized from IRCC's Fee list, Fee changes, refund, biometrics and Express Entry pages, read on October 8, 2026.

Rule	What IRCC says
When the RPRF is due	When the application is approved, before the applicant can become a permanent resident; it can be paid with the application fees to avoid delays
Who does not pay the RPRF	Dependent children of a principal applicant or sponsor, sponsored adopted children, sponsored orphaned brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews or grandchildren, and protected persons
RPRF refund	Refunded if the application is withdrawn or refused; IRCC calls it the only fee on a permanent residence application it can refund after processing starts
Processing fee refund	Full refund if the application is withdrawn before processing starts; not refunded once processing has started
Refund timing	Eligible refunds take between 2 and 8 weeks
RPRF paid after a fee increase	An applicant who applied without paying the RPRF pays the new amount, even if the processing fee was paid before the change
How often permanent residence fees are adjusted	Every two years under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, according to IRCC's notice of March 27, 2026; no date or amount for a later adjustment is published
Mailed applications and fee increases	In most cases IRCC does not reject a complete application mailed before a fee change with the old fee; it asks for the difference
Express Entry payment	Paid by debit or credit card in the IRCC secure account; at a minimum the processing fees are paid on submission, and the invitation to apply is valid for 60 days
Who gives biometrics	Permanent residence applicants, unless exempt; children under 14 and applicants over 79 are exempt
When biometrics are paid	With the application; IRCC then sends a biometric instruction letter, and booking the appointment is free

IRCC says eligible refunds are issued automatically when an application paid for online is withdrawn or refused, and take between 2 and 8 weeks to appear. After 8 weeks without a refund, the route is IRCC’s online payment service: sign in, find the receipt under “My receipts” and select “Request a refund”. People who paid by bank draft, money order or at a visa application centre use IRCC’s web form instead.

What does a permanent resident pay after landing?

The application fees end at landing, but two later IRCC fees are worth planning for. A PR card renewal or replacement is $50, and the PR card renewal guide explains when a card can be renewed and the residency obligation behind it. An adult citizenship application is $653, which includes the $123 right of citizenship fee; the Canadian citizenship application guide covers eligibility and timing.

For one adult who goes from an economic PR application to citizenship, the IRCC fees add up to $2,328, before any PR card renewal along the way.

Outside IRCC, the first weeks in Canada involve steps that cost nothing but take time: a Social Insurance Number, covered in the SIN application guide, and a first chequing account, compared in the guide to bank accounts for newcomers.

What are the common mistakes with PR fees?

Paying an old amount. Fees rose on April 30, 2026. An amount copied from an older checklist or forum post leaves the payment short, and IRCC then asks for the difference.
Forgetting biometrics. The biometrics fee is separate from the application bundle, and IRCC warns of delays when it is not paid with the application.
Paying the RPRF for children. Dependent children pay only the child fee; no RPRF applies to them.
Paying the individual biometrics fee for each family member. A family applying together pays the $170 maximum, not $85 per person.
Treating settlement funds as a fee. Proof of funds is money the applicant keeps. It is assessed separately from the fees on this page.
Assuming a refusal returns everything. Only the RPRF comes back once processing has started.
Mixing up provincial and federal fees. A provincial nomination fee, where a province charges one, is on top of IRCC’s fee and paid to the province.

Where can an applicant confirm the exact amount?

The exact fee is confirmed in three official places. IRCC’s Fee list shows every current amount. IRCC’s “How to pay your fees” tool gives payment instructions by country and application type. And for online applications such as Express Entry, the IRCC secure account lists the fees owed for the applicant and each family member before submission. A receipt from IRCC’s online payment service is the proof of payment that goes with any application filed outside the account. For questions about a specific case, a licensed immigration lawyer or a consultant regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants can review the file.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the PR application fee in Canada?

For Express Entry, provincial nominees and the other economic programs on IRCC's fee list, the fee is $1,590 for the principal applicant. That amount combines the $990 processing fee and the $600 right of permanent residence fee. A spouse or common-law partner pays the same $1,590, and each dependent child pays $270. Business immigration, family sponsorship and humanitarian applications have their own amounts, shown in the tables on this page.

What is the right of permanent residence fee?

The right of permanent residence fee, or RPRF, is a $600 charge that IRCC collects before an approved applicant can become a permanent resident. The principal applicant and an accompanying spouse or common-law partner each pay it. Dependent children, sponsored adopted children, certain orphaned relatives and protected persons do not. It can be paid up front with the application fees or later, when IRCC approves the application.

Is the right of permanent residence fee refundable?

Yes. IRCC's fee list says it refunds the RPRF if the applicant withdraws or IRCC refuses the application, and describes it as the only fee it can refund after processing starts. The $990 processing fee works differently: it is returned in full only when an application is withdrawn before IRCC starts processing it. IRCC says eligible refunds take between 2 and 8 weeks to arrive.

Do permanent residence applicants pay for biometrics?

Yes, unless they are exempt. IRCC lists permanent residence among the applications that need fingerprints and a photo, and charges $85 for an individual or a maximum of $170 for a family of 2 or more applying at the same time. Children under 14 and applicants over 79 are exempt. The fee is paid with the application, and IRCC then sends a biometric instruction letter used to book a free appointment.

What are the Express Entry fees for a couple?

A couple applying through Express Entry pays two adult fees of $1,590, which each include the $990 processing fee and the $600 RPRF, plus the $170 family maximum for biometrics. The worked totals table on this page adds those up and also shows the lower amount due on submission when the RPRF is left until approval. Language tests, medical exams and police certificates are paid to other organizations and are not on IRCC's fee list.

How much does a dependent child add to a PR application?

On an economic or business immigration application, each accompanying dependent child adds $270. On family sponsorship, humanitarian, protected person and pre-2025 caregiver applications, the child fee is $180. No right of permanent residence fee is charged for dependent children. A child under 14 is also exempt from biometrics, although a family with two adults already reaches the $170 family maximum.

When did IRCC fees last increase?

Permanent residence fees last increased on April 30, 2026. The right of permanent residence fee went from $575 to $600, the economic principal applicant fee from $950 to $990 and the dependent child fee from $260 to $270. The previous permanent residence increase on IRCC's Fee changes page is dated April 30, 2024. The right of citizenship fee rose separately on March 31, 2026, from $119.75 to $123.00.

Are PR fees going up again?

IRCC's Fee changes page, last modified on September 21, 2026, lists no permanent residence fee change after April 30, 2026 and no upcoming one. The two most recent permanent residence increases it shows are April 30, 2024 and April 30, 2026, and IRCC's March 27, 2026 notice says these fees are adjusted every two years under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. No date or amount for a later adjustment has been published. IRCC posts new amounts on that page before they take effect, so it is the place to confirm the fee on the day an application is submitted.

What is the PR fee for spousal sponsorship?

Sponsoring a spouse or partner costs $1,260 on IRCC's fee list, whether the sponsored person is abroad or in Canada. That is a $90 sponsorship fee, a $570 processing fee for the sponsored person and the $600 right of permanent residence fee. Without the RPRF, the amount due is $660. Each dependent child included on the application is $180, and biometrics are extra.

Do provincial nominees pay a different PR fee?

No. Provincial nominees are in IRCC's economic immigration fee group, so the federal application costs $1,590 for the principal applicant, $1,590 for a spouse or partner and $270 per dependent child. A province may charge its own fee for the nomination application, which is paid to the province and does not appear on IRCC's fee list. The same federal amounts apply to Quebec-selected skilled workers.

How much does a PR card cost?

A first PR card is sent at no charge when IRCC receives a photo and a Canadian address within 180 days of the person becoming a permanent resident. A renewal or replacement card costs $50, and a permanent resident travel document for someone outside Canada without a valid card also costs $50. The card fee is separate from the application fees paid to become a permanent resident.

How much are citizenship fees in Canada?

An adult citizenship application costs $653, which includes the processing fee and the $123 right of citizenship fee. A minor under 18 pays $100. These are separate from permanent residence fees and are paid years later, once a permanent resident meets the physical presence requirement. The right of citizenship fee last increased on March 31, 2026.

Rules, rates and sources

Last verified: September 30, 2026
Next scheduled check: December 30, 2026

Rule or table	In effect from	Verified
Permanent residence fees by program — IRCC fee list, right of permanent residence fee, biometrics, payment and refund rules	April 30, 2026	October 8, 2026
IRCC application fees	April 30, 2026	October 8, 2026
Permanent resident card — fees, renewal timing, residency obligation, documents, photos, urgent processing and PRTD	June 1, 2026	September 30, 2026

Official sources

Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list - IRCC (economic immigration) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee changes - IRCC (April 30, 2026) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Citizenship and immigration application fees: Ask for a refund - IRCC (timing) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Biometrics - Canada.ca (who gives biometrics) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
How to give your fingerprints and photo - Canada.ca (pay when you apply) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Apply for permanent residence through Express Entry - Canada.ca (fees shown in the account) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Permanent residence fees increasing on April 30, 2026 - Canada.ca (two-year adjustment) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Get a permanent resident card - Canada.ca (first card free) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Get, renew or replace a permanent resident card - Canada.ca (validity and when to renew) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Guide 5445 - Applying for a permanent resident card - Canada.ca (270-day rule) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Permanent resident photos - Canada.ca (digital photo) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Understand permanent resident status - Canada.ca (730 days, status not lost at expiry) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Getting your PR card after you apply - Canada.ca (delivery delay) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Permanent resident travel document - Canada.ca (single entry) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Permanent resident travel document - How to apply - Canada.ca (fee) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Apply urgently for a PR card or PRTD - Canada.ca (PRTD urgent window) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Travelling outside Canada as a permanent resident - Canada.ca (card only in Canada) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

How we check figures: our methodology and editorial policy.

General information for education, not financial, tax, legal or immigration advice. Rules change — confirm anything you act on with the official source or a licensed professional (for immigration, a lawyer or a licensed consultant registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants).