The cost of living seems to only know one direction — up — and Canada’s pathway to permanent residency is not excluded. In a move that aligns more with inflation than the spirit of welcoming arms, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is increasing the fees associated with the permanent resident application.
As of April 30, 2024, applicants will need to meet updated financial requirements, a change dictated by the past two years’ cumulative percentage increase in Canada’s Consumer Price Index.
The Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) now costs $575 from principal applicants and their accompanying spouses or common-law partners, a leap from the previous rate of $515. For those applying tdreahrough programs like Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class, and most economic pilots, the fee increases to $950 for both principal applicants and their adult companions, up from $850.
Not sparing the younger dreamers, the fee for accompanying dependent children also sees a hike, set at $260 up from $230. As for individuals eyeing the entrepreneurial lane into Canada under the Business category, a substantial bump up to $1,810 from $1,625 is on the cards.
The family reunification route, which facilitates the sponsorship of spouses, partners, children, parents, grandparents, and other relatives, is also seeing a series of increases. The sponsorship fee is now $85, up from $75, with the sponsored principal applicant’s fee reaching $545, compared to the previous $490.
Despite the broad sweep of fee increments, specific applicant groups are exempt from the RPRF, including dependent children of a principal applicant or sponsor, and protected persons including Convention refugees.
The fee revision rides on the back of regulatory provisions, tying the hike to the economic situation in Canada. The adjustment is in keeping with a 2020 policy that lets the IRCC adjust fees every two years based on inflation, ensuring the new rates will remain until March 2026.
A bar graph showing the rate of price increases for 16 grocery products between February 2022 and February 2023.
Chart showing year-over-year grocery item price increases.