Canada Raises Fees for Permanent Residency, Citizenship Applications

The Canadian government has announced an increase in application fees for permanent residence and citizenship, with the new rates set to take effect between late March and April 2026.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the revised fees will apply to all new applications received on or after the implementation dates.

The agency disclosed that the Right of Citizenship fee will rise from $119.75 to $123 starting March 31, 2026, while fees for permanent residence applications across various categories will increase from April 30, 2026.

Affected categories include economic immigration programmes such as Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Programme, family sponsorship, business immigration, and humanitarian applications.

Breakdown of some of the new permanent residence fees shows:

Right of Permanent Residence Fee increased from $575 to $600

Provincial Nominee Programme fee raised from $950 to $990

Family class application fee increased from $545 to $570

Business class application fee rose from $1,810 to $1,895

Permit holders’ fees increased from $375 to $390

IRCC explained that the fee adjustment is part of a routine review carried out every two years to reflect inflation and ensure the sustainability of immigration services.

The agency also clarified that applicants who submitted and paid for their applications before the new dates will not be affected by the increase.

The development is expected to impact prospective immigrants, including Nigerians, seeking permanent residency or citizenship in Canada, as overall application costs continue to rise.