Canada announces new immigration fee hike effective April 30

The Government of Canada has announced an increase in application fees for permanent residence and citizenship, a move that will affect Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking to relocate to the country.

The development was disclosed in an official notice by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which stated that the new fees will take effect from April 30, 2026.

According to the agency, the adjustment forms part of a routine review designed to sustain efficient service delivery and reflect current economic realities, including inflation.

“Starting April 30, 2026, fees for permanent resident applications will increase as part of a routine update. Applications received on or after April 30 will be subject to the new fees,” IRCC said.

Under the revised structure, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee will rise by $25, increasing from $575 to $600.

Applications under the Provincial Nominee Programme will also increase by $40, moving from $950 to $990.

Similarly, fees for the Business Class category will increase by $85, from $1,810 to $1,895, while the Family Class application fee will go up by $25, rising from $545 to $570.

The application fee for Protected Persons will increase by $25, from $635 to $660. The same increment will apply to applications under Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds or Public Policy Measures, which will also rise from $635 to $660.

In addition, the fee for Permit Holders will increase by $15, moving from $375 to $390.

Meanwhile, the Right of Citizenship Fee has already been adjusted, increasing slightly from $119.75 to $123, effective March 31, 2026, representing about a 2.7 per cent rise.

IRCC explained that under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, fees for permanent residence applications are reviewed and adjusted every two years to help cover programme costs and respond to the growing demand for immigration services.