Maple News reports that Canada has raised permanent residence processing fees across all streams, effective April 30, 2026, affecting Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and family sponsorship. The increases apply to principal applicants and accompanying family members where applicable, and include the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF).
A key change is the RPRF, now set at $600 per applicant, whether you are the principal applicant or an accompanying spouse or common-law partner. The RPRF can be deferred at the time of initial PR submission, but it must be paid later, and the new amount applies when you pay.
Across most categories, fees rose by about 4–5%. Family sponsorship saw the steepest jump, just under 6%, while fees for dependent children and for protected persons rose by around 4%.
Here are representative fee changes by category (old vs. new, effective April 30, 2026): Right of Permanent Residence Fee — principal applicant and accompanying spouse: $575 → $600. Federal High Skilled (Express Entry, PNPs, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration, and most economic streams) — principal applicant: $950 → $990; accompanying spouse: $950 → $990; dependent child: $260 → $270. Business (Federal and Quebec) — principal applicant: $1,810 → $1,895; accompanying spouse: $950 → $990; dependent child: $260 → $270. Family reunification — Sponsorship fee: $85 → $90; sponsored principal applicant: $545 → $570; sponsored dependent child: $85 → $90. Protected persons — principal applicant: $635 → $660; accompanying spouse: $635 → $660; dependent child: $175 → $180. Humanitarian and compassionate or public policy — principal applicant: $635 → $660; accompanying spouse: $635 → $660; dependent child: $175 → $180. Permit holders class — principal applicant: $375 → $390.
Important: if you deferred your RPRF payment, you must pay the new $600 when you finalize your PR application. The amount due is determined at payment time, not at application time. If you already submitted online before April 30 and IRCC processed your fees, you don’t need to take action, but you should budget for the higher costs going forward. Maple News will continue to monitor immigration policy updates and keep readers informed.