Canada releases official 2026 fees for visas, PR, citizenship: full breakdown
By Aboki Forex —
Canada's immigration authority has published its official fee schedule for 2026, covering temporary residence, permanent residence, family sponsorship, and citizenship applications. Fees range from CAD 7 for an Electronic Travel Authorisation to CAD 2,495 for certain business immigration permanent residence applications.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published the schedule, and the fees apply to all applicants, including Nigerians, regardless of where they apply from. The Canadian dollar fees must be paid before an application can be processed.
Visitor, study, and temporary residence fees
An Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) costs CAD 7. A visitor visa, whether single or multiple entry, costs CAD 100 per person. Families of five or more applying together at the same time and place pay a capped fee of CAD 500. Extending a stay as a visitor also costs CAD 100 per person.
Students applying for a study permit, including extensions, pay CAD 150 per person. Those who need to restore their student status first must pay CAD 246.25 for the restoration, bringing the total to CAD 396.25. The International Experience Canada fee is set at CAD 184.75.
Permanent residence and economic immigration
Economic immigration applicants, including those going through the Express Entry system, pay CAD 1,590 for their own application. This figure covers both the processing fee and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF). Including a spouse or partner adds another CAD 1,590, while each dependent child costs CAD 270.
Business immigration applicants, such as those on the start-up visa route or self-employed persons pathway, pay a higher rate of CAD 2,495 for their own application, inclusive of the RPRF. Humanitarian and compassionate applications are set at CAD 1,260 per principal applicant.
The RPRF itself stands at CAD 600 and is charged as a standalone fee for most permanent residence applications. IRCC said applicants can pay it alongside their application fees to avoid delays. It is the only fee refunded if an application is withdrawn or refused.
Family sponsorship and citizenship
Sponsoring a spouse or partner costs CAD 1,260. Sponsoring a parent or grandparent is also CAD 1,260. Each dependent child included in a sponsorship application attracts a fee of CAD 180.
Canadian citizenship for an adult aged 18 and above costs CAD 653, covering both the processing fee and the Right of Citizenship fee. For minors under 18, the fee is CAD 100. A citizenship certificate costs CAD 75, and renouncing citizenship carries a fee of CAD 100.
A permanent resident card costs CAD 50. A permanent resident travel document, needed when a valid PR card is unavailable outside Canada, also costs CAD 50.
What this means for Nigerian applicants
IRCC advises applicants to consult the relevant application guides for full details on how fees are paid and which documents are required. Nigeria remains a major source of Canadian immigrants, and these fees will affect family budgets and business planning.
In a related update, IRCC published revised guidance on July 29, 2026, changing the eligibility criteria for the C20 reciprocal employment exemption. The update blocks foreign workers from qualifying for the exemption if they had not yet started their job with an overseas employer before relocating. The exemption allows certain foreign nationals to work in Canada without first undergoing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).