Canada raises immigration fees across several categories, i.e., the Canadian government has increased many immigration-related fees starting December 1, 2025. These changes apply mainly to two areas:
- Fees related to inadmissibility
- The International Experience Canada (IEC) work permit processing fee.
If you submitted your application online before midnight on December 1 and paid the previous fee, you will not be affected.
However, if you mailed a paper application before that date, you may still have to pay the difference because of the time it takes for IRCC to receive and process mailed applications.
Which Fees Have Increased?
Inadmissibility Fees
Below is the list of application types that now have higher fees:
| Application Type | Old Fee | New Fee, Effective Dec 1, 2025 |
| Authorization to return to Canada | $479.75 | $492.50 |
| Temporary resident permit | $239.75 | $246.25 |
| Criminal rehabilitation – inadmissibility due to criminality | $239.75 | $246.25 |
| Criminal rehabilitation — inadmissibility due to serious criminality | $1,199.00 | $1,231.00 |
| Restoration of visitor status | $239.75 | $246.25 |
| Restoration of worker status – without new work permit | $239.75 | $246.25 |
| Restoration of worker status – with new work permit | $394.75 | $401.25 |
| Restoration of student status – without new study permit | $239.75 | $246.25 |
| Restoration of student status – with new study permit | $389.75 | $396.25 |
What Do These Applications Mean?
Authorization To Return To Canada (ARC):
Anyone who was asked to leave Canada must apply for ARC before returning legally. This application is usually submitted with another application, such as a work permit or study permit.
Temporary Resident Permit (TRP):
A TRP allows someone who is inadmissible to enter Canada temporarily if they have a strong reason to come and if the benefits outweigh any risk to Canadian society.
Criminal Rehabilitation:
To enter Canada, you must be admissible. If at least five years have passed since completing your sentence, you may apply to have your past criminal record considered “rehabilitated.” The fee depends on whether your offence is considered criminality or serious criminality.
Restoration Of Status:
If your visitor, worker, or student status expires and you did not apply to extend it, you must either leave Canada or apply to restore your status within 90 days.
International Experience Canada (IEC) Fees
Under the IEC program, eligible youth from partner countries can get a Canadian work permit for up to two years through one of these categories:
- Working Holiday
- Young Professionals
- International Co-op (Internship)
Everyone who receives an IEC work permit must pay the work permit processing fee. Here is the fee change:
| Old Fee | New Fee |
| $179.75 | $184.75 |
To join IEC, applicants must submit a profile to IRCC, enter one or more candidate pools, and wait for an invitation to apply.
Without an invitation, you cannot apply for an IEC work permit.
The 2025 IEC season is now closed, and profiles can be submitted again when the pools open for the 2026 season.
What To Do If You Have Paid The Fee?
If you mailed a complete application before the fee increase, IRCC will email you asking for the difference between the old and new fees. They will also explain how to submit the receipt.
To pay the difference:
- Calculate how much more you owe based on the fee changes.
- Use IRCC’s online payment system under “Make an additional payment or pay other fees.” category
- Under “Quantity,” enter the total amount you need to pay.
- One receipt is issued per payment.
- You can pay everything in one transaction or several separate payments.
- Send the receipt to IRCC following the instructions they give you.
This process ensures your application continues smoothly and is not delayed because of unpaid fees.
Explore your pathway to move to Canada with Immigtoronto. Our team of skilled RCICs offers customized immigration solutions, ensuring a trustworthy and professional process. Contact us at [email protected].
