Every two years, IRCC adjusts permanent residence fees to track the Consumer Price Index, it's a built-in mechanism under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, not a one-off decision. The latest round took effect April 30, 2026, and I wanted to put the actual numbers in one place since IRCC's own breakdown is easy to lose track of.
What changed for principal applicants
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee: $575 → $600
- Provincial Nominee Program: $950 → $990
- Federal High Skilled / Atlantic Immigration: $950 → $990
- Business Programs: $1,810 → $1,895
- Family Class (sponsored principal applicant): $545 → $570
- Protected Persons / H&C Class: $635 → $660
Any application IRCC received on or after April 30, 2026 falls under the new fee schedule. Applications submitted before that date were assessed at the old rates, so timing genuinely mattered for anyone filing in that window.
The individual increases look modest on paper, $25 here, $40 there, but once you factor in a spouse, dependents, biometrics, and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee stacked on top of a program fee, the total cost of a PR application adds up faster than most people expect going in. This is exactly the kind of thing we walk through during an initial consultation, because budgeting for the full process, not just the headline fee, is part of building a realistic strategy. You can see our current fee structure for each pathway on the Services & Fees page, or book a session if you want a full cost picture for your specific situation before you file.