Canada Immigrant Visa Costs: What You Need to Know

How much does a Canadian immigrant visa cost? This is one of the most frequent questions asked by individuals hoping to start a new life in Canada. Whether you're applying through the Express Entry system, for family sponsorship, or other pathways, understanding the financial commitment is essential. In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down the costs involved in securing a Canadian immigrant visa, offering insight into each phase of the application process.

It’s more than just the visa fee
When people think about the cost of moving to Canada, they often focus solely on the visa fees. But that’s only a part of the bigger picture. You'll need to account for other expenses, such as medical exams, police certificates, language tests, and even settlement funds that are required to prove you can support yourself when you arrive.

The cost of immigrating to Canada varies depending on the program you are applying for. For instance, the fees for the popular Express Entry program, which allows skilled workers to apply for permanent residency, differ from those for family sponsorship or humanitarian immigration streams. Below, we'll break down the fees associated with some of Canada’s primary immigration programs:

Express Entry Fees

Express Entry is one of the most common routes to Canadian permanent residency. It’s a points-based system that evaluates candidates based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language skills. Here's a breakdown of the key costs:

• Processing Fee: CAD 850 for the primary applicant.
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): CAD 515. This fee is paid once your application is approved, allowing you to obtain permanent residence.
• Spouse/Partner Processing Fee: CAD 850, plus CAD 515 for the RPRF.
• Dependent Child: CAD 230 per child.

Example of Total Fees for a Family:
For a family of four (two adults and two children), the fees might look something like this:

Applicant	Processing Fee	RPRF	Total
Primary Applicant	CAD 850	CAD 515	CAD 1,365
Spouse/Partner	CAD 850	CAD 515	CAD 1,365
Child 1	CAD 230	-	CAD 230
Child 2	CAD 230	-	CAD 230
Total			CAD 3,190

This table gives a basic overview of visa-related costs for an Express Entry application, not including other potential expenses such as language tests and medical exams.

Other Costs Associated with Express Entry

Beyond the fees for the visa itself, applicants must also budget for the following expenses:

1. Language Tests:
   Candidates must prove their proficiency in either English or French. For English, this often involves taking the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The fee for the IELTS test in most countries is around CAD 300. French-speaking applicants may take the TEF (Test d'Évaluation de Français), which costs roughly CAD 440.

2. Educational Credential Assessment (ECA):
   To verify foreign educational qualifications, many applicants will need to get an ECA from a designated organization. The cost for this varies but is typically around CAD 200-300.

3. Medical Exam:
   All permanent residence applicants must undergo a medical examination by an approved physician. The cost for this is usually around CAD 200-400 per person, depending on the country and specific clinic.

4. Police Certificates:
   Applicants must submit police certificates from every country where they have lived for six months or more. The fees for police certificates can vary significantly, ranging from free to approximately CAD 100, depending on the country of issuance.

5. Biometrics Fee:
   Applicants need to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photos) as part of the immigration process. The biometric fee is CAD 85 for an individual or CAD 170 for a family.

6. Settlement Funds:
   One often-overlooked aspect of immigrating to Canada is the settlement funds requirement. Applicants must show proof of funds to demonstrate that they can support themselves and their family in Canada. The amount depends on the size of the family. For instance, as of 2024, a single applicant is required to show at least CAD 13,757, while a family of four would need CAD 25,564.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Fees

If you’re applying for permanent residency through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you’ll pay additional fees on top of federal processing charges. These fees vary depending on the province. For example:

• Ontario: CAD 1,500 for nomination.
• British Columbia: CAD 1,150 for nomination.
• Alberta: No additional fees for provincial nomination.

Family Sponsorship Fees

For those seeking to sponsor a family member to come to Canada, the fees are different from the Express Entry pathway. Here's a look at what to expect:

• Sponsorship Fee: CAD 75.
• Principal Applicant Processing Fee: CAD 490.
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee: CAD 515.
• Dependent Child Fee: CAD 150 per child.

For example, the total cost to sponsor a spouse or partner would be CAD 1,080.

Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds (H&C) Application Fees

If you’re applying for permanent residency on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, the fees are similar to those for family sponsorship:

• Processing Fee: CAD 550 for the primary applicant.
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee: CAD 515.
• Dependent Child: CAD 150 per child.

Citizenship Fees (For Permanent Residents Looking to Naturalize)

Once you have been a permanent resident for a few years and meet the residency and language requirements, you may decide to apply for Canadian citizenship. The cost for this is:

• Application Fee: CAD 630 for adults.
• Child under 18: CAD 100.

Hidden Costs: Translation and Document Preparation

Don't forget that many official documents will need to be translated into English or French by a certified translator if they are in another language. These translation services can be costly, often ranging from CAD 30 to CAD 50 per page. Some applicants also hire immigration consultants or lawyers to help them navigate the process, which adds significant additional fees.

Can You Afford to Immigrate to Canada?

While the direct fees might seem manageable, the total cost of immigrating to Canada can be substantial when you consider all the associated expenses. For many applicants, the total cost can easily reach CAD 6,000 or more. However, the opportunity to start a new life in Canada, with its high quality of life, universal healthcare, and excellent education system, makes it an investment worth considering for many.

Conclusion
Immigrating to Canada is a financial commitment, but with careful planning and understanding of the various costs involved, it can be a smooth and rewarding process. Whether you're coming through Express Entry, family sponsorship, or another pathway, knowing what to expect in terms of fees will help you budget appropriately and avoid any unexpected surprises.