Starting December 1, Canada will see an increase in application and processing fees for various visitor, worker, and student permits. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that these changes will affect temporary residents seeking to extend their status or enter the country.
The fee adjustments apply to:
- Applications to restore temporary resident status for visitors, workers, and students.
- Applications for authorization to return to Canada.
- Applications for criminal rehabilitation, including cases of serious criminality.
- Applications for Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs).
However, IRCC has not yet provided details on the updated fee amounts.
Existing fee structure
- $229.00 CAD for restoring visitor status
- $379.00 CAD for restoring student status
- $384.00 CAD for restoring worker status
- $459.55 CAD for authorization to return
- $229.77 CAD for criminal inadmissibility
- $1,148.87 CAD for serious criminal inadmissibility
- $229.77 CAD for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)
What occurs if clients submit an outdated fee amount?
In most situations, applicants who submit complete applications with the old fees to IRCC do not need to worry about changes.
- Online submissions are processed immediately, and confirmation of receipt is ensured soon after submission.
- For mailed applications, there may be a delay between sending documents and receiving them from IRCC.
Even if fees change during this time, most applications won’t be refused as long as:
- The old fee was fully paid,
- The application was complete, and
- It was mailed before the fee update.
If additional fees are needed, IRCC will guide applicants on how to pay the difference.
How to Address Fee Differences for IRCC Applications
When IRCC updates fees, paper applicants who paid the old amount will need to pay the difference. IRCC will provide instructions on submitting your payment receipt.
Determine the Fee Adjustment
- Calculate the difference between the old fee and the updated fee, accounting for all family members included in the application.
Complete the Payment
- Access the IRCC online payment tool and choose the “Make an additional payment or pay other fees” option.
- Enter the total fee difference in the “Quantity” field.
- You’ll receive a receipt for each transaction, whether paid in one or multiple installments. Ensure you have or create an IRCC account to proceed.
Provide the Receipt
- Submit your payment receipt according to the instructions included in IRCC’s fee request.
