Plan the money you need before, during, and after applying
Immigration costs are not one number. Some amounts are IRCC fees, some are paid to third parties, and some are proof-of-funds liquidity that must stay available rather than being spent.
Key points
- Government fees: IRCC and province fees — Processing, right of permanent residence, biometrics, and some provincial nomination fees.
- Third-party costs: Tests and documents — Language tests, educational credential assessments, medical exams, police certificates, photos, and translations.
- Settlement cash: Available funds — Proof-of-funds amounts are not application fees; they are liquidity requirements for several pathways.
Costs are paid to different organizations
IRCC fees are only one part of the budget. You may also pay a province, a designated language-test provider, an educational credential assessment organization, a panel physician, police authorities, translators, couriers, and settlement vendors after landing.
- Processing fees and biometrics are usually paid when the application is submitted.
- The right of permanent residence fee applies to most adult permanent-residence applicants and is refundable if the application is refused or withdrawn before landing.
- Third-party costs are normally not refundable by IRCC because they are paid outside IRCC.
- Settlement funds must remain available if your pathway requires proof of funds.
Do not combine fees and proof of funds
Fees are amounts you spend. Proof of funds is money you must be able to access. A family can have enough cash to pay application fees and still fail a proof-of-funds requirement if the remaining liquid balance is too low.
- Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades applicants generally need settlement funds unless exempt.
- Canadian Experience Class applicants do not need settlement funds.
- Study permit applicants must show tuition, living expenses, and transportation support.
- Provincial and Quebec pathways may add their own fees or financial-support rules.
Use calculators for scenario math, use this page for orientation
The calculators remain useful when you need household-specific totals. This reference page exists to explain the categories and prevent common planning mistakes before you open a calculator.
Common IRCC fee categories
These are representative permanent-residence and biometrics fee categories. Always verify the exact fee before payment.
| Category | Current amount | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Economic permanent residence processing, principal applicant | CAD 990 | Applies to Federal High Skilled, PNP, Quebec Skilled Worker, Atlantic Immigration Class, and several economic pilots for applications received on or after April 30, 2026. |
| Economic permanent residence processing, accompanying spouse or partner | CAD 990 | Charged separately from the principal applicant processing fee. |
| Economic permanent residence processing, dependent child | CAD 270 | Charged per accompanying dependent child in the listed economic classes. |
| Right of permanent residence fee | CAD 600 | Applies to most adult permanent-residence applicants and is refundable if permanent residence is not granted. |
| Biometrics | CAD 85 individual / CAD 170 family maximum | Required for most applicants, with a family cap when family members apply together. |
Frequently asked questions
Is proof of funds an immigration fee?
No. Proof of funds is money you must have available and transferable. It is not paid to IRCC unless you later spend it on your own settlement costs.
Should I rely on one total cost number?
No. Keep fees, third-party costs, and required liquid funds separate. They have different timing, refund rules, and evidence requirements.
Why can calculator results differ from an official payment screen?
Fee rules can change by date, program, and province. Use Passavia calculators for planning, then confirm the final amount on the official IRCC or provincial payment page before submitting.
Updated: May 2026