1. Overview of Official IRCC Application Fees
Every application submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires mandatory non-refundable government processing fees paid online through the official Canada.ca payment portal.
Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks
- Permanent Residence Processing Fee: $950 CAD per principal applicant and spouse for Express Entry and PNP pathways
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $575 CAD per principal applicant and spouse (100% refundable if application is refused or withdrawn)
- Temporary Resident Permits: Study Permit ($150 CAD), Visitor Visa ($100 CAD), Standard Work Permit ($155 CAD), Open Work Permit Surcharge ($100 CAD = $255 CAD total)
- Biometrics Fee Caps: $85 CAD per individual; $170 CAD maximum cap for families applying together
Mandatory Action Checklist
✓Select application pathway on IRCC Pay Fees portal
✓Calculate principal applicant, spouse, and dependent child fees
✓Download PDF fee receipt and attach to online IRCC application
2. Official IRCC Fee Schedule Matrix 2026
Complete breakdown of IRCC fees.
| Application Type | Processing Fee | RPRF / Right Fee | Total Fee Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Entry PR Principal Applicant | $950 CAD | $575 CAD | $1,525 CAD Total |
| Express Entry PR Spouse / Partner | $950 CAD | $575 CAD | $1,525 CAD Total |
| Dependent Child (PR Application) | $260 CAD | $0 (Exempt) | $260 CAD Total |
| Study Permit | $150 CAD | N/A | $150 CAD Total |
| Open Work Permit (PGWP / SOWP / BOWP) | $155 + $100 Surcharge | N/A | $255 CAD Total |
| Adult Citizenship Grant (18+) | $500 CAD | $100 Right Fee | $600 CAD Total |
3. Fee Refunds & LMIA Employer Costs
Refund rules and employer fee mandates.
Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks
- RPRF Refund Guarantee: The $575 Right of Permanent Residence Fee is 100% REFUNDABLE if your PR application is refused or withdrawn before landing
- Processing Fee Non-Refundability: Standard processing fees ($950 PR fee, $150 study permit fee) are NON-REFUNDABLE once processing begins
- Employer LMIA Fee ($1,000): Employers filing an LMIA with ESDC must pay a non-recoverable $1,000 CAD fee per position
- Employer Compliance Fee ($230): Employers hiring under LMIA-exempt open/closed streams pay a mandatory $230 CAD employer compliance fee
Critical Regulatory NoteLMIA FEE PROHIBITION: Employers are legally barred from deducting or recovering the $1,000 ESDC LMIA fee from a foreign worker's salary.
4. Step-by-Step Fee Calculation Roadmap
Paying fees.
Mandatory Action Checklist
✓Add principal, spouse, and children fees on IRCC calculator
✓Pay via credit card on Canada.ca portal
✓Attach official PDF receipt to application submission
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The total fee is $3,050 CAD ($1,525 CAD for principal applicant + $1,525 CAD for spouse).
Yes! The $575 RPRF fee is 100% refundable if your PR application is refused or withdrawn.
An Open Work Permit costs $255 CAD ($155 work permit fee + $100 open work permit surcharge).
Family biometrics fees are capped at a maximum of $170 CAD when applying together.
An adult citizenship application costs $600 CAD ($500 processing fee + $100 Right of Citizenship fee).
No. Under ESDC rules, the employer MUST pay the $1,000 fee and cannot charge it to the worker.
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IRCC Fee Metrics
Express Entry PR Total
$1,525 CAD ($950 Fee + $575 RPRF)Study Permit Cost
$150 CAD Government FeeOpen Work Permit Cost
$255 CAD ($155 + $100 Surcharge)Biometrics Individual
$85 CAD ($170 Family Cap)Related Immigration Pathways
Explore All 87 Visa Guides
Browse all IRCC visa categories, study permit rules, and visitor entry requirements.
View Visas & Study Permits Hub →