If you are in the process of applying for permanent residence in Canada, you have ten days to act. IRCC has confirmed that permanent residence application fees are increasing on April 30, 2026. Any application received before 9:00 AM Eastern Time on that date will be processed at the current, lower rates. Applications received after that deadline will be charged the new rates, with no exceptions.
This is a straightforward biennial fee adjustment — not a change to eligibility, processing times, or program rules. But for families applying together, the combined increase adds up, and there is no benefit to waiting.
Canada Permanent Residence Fees: What Is Changing on April 30
The increases affect every major permanent residence stream. Here is a full breakdown by program:
Economic Immigration (Provincial Nominee Program, Express Entry — FSWP/CEC/FSTP, Atlantic Immigration Program, rural pilots):
- Principal applicant processing fee: $950 → $990 (+$40)
- Accompanying spouse or partner: $950 → $990 (+$40)
- Dependent child: $260 → $270 (+$10)
Right of Permanent Residence Fee (applies to principal applicant and accompanying spouse/partner in most programs):
- $575 → $600 (+$25 per person)
Family Reunification (spousal, partner, and dependent child sponsorship):
- Sponsorship fee: $85 → $90 (+$5)
- Sponsored principal applicant: $545 → $570 (+$25)
Business Immigration (federal and Quebec):
- Principal applicant: $1,810 → $1,895 (+$85)
Permit Holders Class:
- Principal applicant: $375 → $390 (+$15)
Source: IRCC — Citizenship and Immigration Application Fees: Fee Changes
How Much More Will You Pay as a Family?
For most Caribbean applicants, the most common scenario is a couple applying together through the Provincial Nominee Program or Express Entry — often with one or more dependent children included. Here is what the April 30 increase means in practice:
Two adults applying through PNP or Express Entry:
Processing fee increase: 2 × $40 = $80
Right of PR fee increase: 2 × $25 = $50
Total increase: $130
Two adults + one dependent child (PNP or Express Entry):
Processing and Right of PR (adults): $130
Dependent child processing: +$10
Total increase: $140
Spousal sponsorship (sponsor + sponsored spouse):
Sponsorship fee: +$5
Principal applicant processing: +$25
Right of PR (sponsored spouse): +$25
Total increase: ~$55
These are not enormous sums on their own, but combined with other application costs — translation, credential assessments, medical exams — they are real. Submitting before April 30 costs nothing extra, provided your application is genuinely ready.
Who Should Prioritize Submitting Before April 30
Not everyone is in a position to rush. Here is a straightforward way to think about whether the deadline applies to you:
You should prioritize submitting before April 30 if:
- Your application is complete or missing only minor items you can gather in the next few days
- You have already been invited to apply (Express Entry ITA, OINP nomination, or AIP employer referral) and your documents are in order
- You are completing a spousal or partner sponsorship and have had the file ready for some time
Do not rush an incomplete application just to avoid the fee increase:
- An error, missing document, or incorrect form in a PR application can result in delays, additional requests, or refusal — each of which costs far more in time, legal fees, and reapplication costs than the $40–$85 processing increase
- If your application requires significant work, the right decision is to submit it correctly, not quickly
How to Submit Before the Deadline
Most permanent residence applications are now submitted online through IRCC’s secure portal. The key steps to meet the April 30 deadline:
- Confirm your application is complete. Use the IRCC document checklist for your specific program. Missing documents are the most common reason applications are returned or delayed.
- Calculate your fees accurately. Use the IRCC fee list for your specific stream and family composition. Underpayment causes delays; overpayment is refunded but adds processing time.
- Submit with enough time to spare. IRCC’s portal can experience high traffic around deadlines. Do not wait until the evening of April 29. Aim to submit by April 28 to give yourself a buffer for any technical issues.
- Confirm receipt. After submitting, you will receive a confirmation with an application number. Save this. It is proof that your application was received before the fee deadline.
If you are working with a consultant or authorized representative, confirm with them now that your file is on track for submission before April 30. If you have not yet started the process, this deadline may not apply to you — your priority should be getting your application properly prepared, not rushed.
Why Fees Are Going Up
Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, IRCC is required to review and adjust permanent residence fees every two years. The purpose is to ensure the program remains self-sustaining and that processing costs are partially offset by applicant fees. The adjustment is indexed to demand and inflation — it is not a new policy or a change in direction on immigration levels.
The last comparable adjustment came in 2024. The next review will follow the same two-year cycle.
What to Do Now
If you have been waiting for a reason to finalize your permanent residence application, April 30 is a concrete and practical one. For applications that are ready or nearly ready, submitting before 9:00 AM ET on April 30 means paying today’s rates — a meaningful saving for families applying together.
If you are still in the early stages of your immigration journey — gathering documents, building work experience, or exploring which PR pathway fits your situation — the fee increase is not urgent for you. Focus on building a solid, complete application, and work with a qualified RCIC to make sure you are pursuing the right program from the start.
Have questions about your PR application or which pathway makes sense for your family? Contact Bison Immigration Consulting today for a personalized assessment.