Immigration Fees Calculator Canada 2026

Estimate the total cost of immigrating to Canada. Includes government fees, biometrics, medical exam, language tests, and credential assessments.

Key Takeaways

• Total immigration costs for a family of four can exceed $5,000-$8,000 CAD including all government and third-party fees.
• The Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) is per person and is refundable if your application is refused.
• Language tests ($300-$400), medical exams ($200-$450), and credential assessments ($200-$350) are paid to third parties, not IRCC.
• Biometrics ($85 per person, $170 max per family) are required for most applicants aged 14-79.

Canadian Immigration Fees Calculator

Immigrating to Canada involves multiple government fees that can add up to thousands of dollars per applicant. Understanding the full cost upfront helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises during the application process. Fees include the processing fee, Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF), biometrics, medical exams, language tests, and credential assessments — each paid at different stages.

The total cost varies significantly depending on the immigration program, your family size, and whether you need additional services like police certificates from multiple countries. This calculator provides a comprehensive estimate of all fees associated with your immigration pathway.

How It Works

Select your immigration program (Express Entry, Provincial Nominee, Family Sponsorship, etc.) and enter your family composition — principal applicant, spouse, and number of dependent children. The calculator tallies all applicable government fees, third-party costs (medical exams, language tests, credential assessments, police certificates), and shows the total estimated cost.

Each fee is listed with its current amount and when in the process it must be paid. Some fees are refundable if your application is refused (like the RPRF), while others are not (like the processing fee). The calculator also indicates which fees are per-person versus per-application.

Fee Breakdown by Application Stage

Immigration fees are paid at different stages of the process. Before applying, you typically pay for language tests ($300-$400), Education Credential Assessments ($200-$350), and police certificates ($25-$100+ per country). At the time of application, you pay the processing fee and biometrics fee. After receiving approval in principle, you pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee and complete your immigration medical exam ($200-$450).

For Express Entry, the processing fee is charged per person — principal applicant, spouse, and each dependent child. The RPRF is charged per adult only (not for dependent children). Planning for these staged payments helps manage cash flow during what can be a 6-14 month process.

Additional Costs to Plan For

Beyond government fees, several additional costs are often overlooked. If you need documents translated by a certified translator, expect $30-$100 per page. Police certificates from multiple countries can take weeks to obtain and cost $25-$100+ each. Photography for application forms costs $15-$30.

Post-landing costs include the first and last month's rent for housing, furniture and essentials, provincial health insurance waiting period (up to 3 months in some provinces where you may need private insurance), and settlement expenses. Having 3-6 months of living expenses saved beyond the immigration fees themselves is prudent.

Key Facts

• IRCC processing fees and the RPRF are subject to change — always verify current amounts on the IRCC website before paying.
• The biometrics fee is $85 per person or $170 maximum per family. It is valid for 10 years.
• Medical exams must be performed by an IRCC-designated panel physician. Results are valid for 12 months.
• Express Entry applicants must show proof of settlement funds unless they have a valid Canadian job offer. The required amount depends on family size.
• Provincial Nominee Programs may have additional processing fees charged by the province, on top of federal IRCC fees.
• Some fees can be paid by credit card through the IRCC online portal; others must be paid directly to third-party service providers.

FAQ

Are immigration fees refundable if my application is refused?

The Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) is refundable if your application is refused or withdrawn. The processing fee is generally not refundable. Third-party costs (language tests, medical exams, credential assessments, police certificates) are never refundable by IRCC, as they are paid to independent service providers. If you withdraw your application before processing begins, you may be able to request a partial refund of certain fees.

Do I need to pay all fees upfront?

No. Fees are paid at different stages. Language tests and credential assessments are paid before you submit your Express Entry profile. Processing fees and biometrics are paid when you submit your application after receiving an ITA. The RPRF and medical exam are typically paid after your application receives approval in principle. This staged payment schedule spreads the cost over several months.

Are there fee waivers for low-income applicants?

IRCC does not offer fee waivers for economic immigration programs like Express Entry. However, refugees and protected persons may have certain fees waived or covered by the government. Some settlement agencies offer free assistance with applications, which can reduce costs associated with immigration consultants or lawyers (though their fees are not part of the IRCC fee structure).

How much do I need in settlement funds for Express Entry?

The required settlement funds depend on your family size and are updated annually. As of IRCC's July 7, 2025 table, a single applicant needs CAD 15,263 and a family of four needs CAD 28,362. You must show that you have these funds available and accessible, not borrowed. Official bank letters must include account details, current balances, debts, and average balances for the past six months.

Does Saskatchewan charge a fee for the SINP "skilled workers with job offers" stream?

Yes, as of April 1, 2026. Saskatchewan's Ministry of Finance 2026-27 fees backgrounder introduced a new $500 application fee for the SINP skilled-workers-with-job-offers stream (which had previously been free of charge). A separate $250 fee was also introduced for second-review requests in this stream — but if the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training determines your complaint is valid and overturns the original decision, the second-review fee is fully reimbursed. For context: the without-job-offer stream of SINP has charged a $500 application fee for several years and was unaffected by the April 2026 change. This calculator currently models only the with-job-offer fees; check the Saskatchewan SINP "How to Apply" page for the latest without-job-offer pricing if that stream applies to you.

Are SINP fees on top of the federal IRCC fees?

Yes. SINP fees are paid directly to the Government of Saskatchewan when you apply for provincial nomination, and they are separate from — and additional to — the federal IRCC processing fees, RPRF, and biometrics. A successful provincial nomination still requires a separate federal permanent residence application, with its own full set of IRCC fees.

Updated March 2026. Information on this page is provided for educational purposes only. Tax rules, rates, and government programs may change — verify details with the CRA or a qualified financial advisor.