Immigrate to Canada: Whether you are looking to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker or through family sponsorship, via federal or provincial programs or through Quebec, it is wise to be aware of fees so that there are no surprises during their application.
This article covers fees for skilled worker, Quebec, provincial and family class applicants and sponsors, where applicable.
It should be noted that all of the fees listed in this article are subject to change.
Skilled Worker/Express Entry Immigration
There are several fees associated with applying for skilled worker immigration to Canada through Express Entry aside from the main ones, which are the application processing fee and the right of permanent residence fee.
Some fees will not be applicable for every application, such as police certificates and notaries, while others vary, and have been estimated in the table below.
For a couple with two children, the average cost work out at about $5,760, although many of the fees will vary, such as medical exams and language tests.
Fee Type
Individual
Couple
Couple with one child
Couple with two children
Language tests (estimated)
350
700
600
600
Educational credential test
200
400
400
400
Biometrics (all family members applying at same time and place)
85
170
170
170
Medical exams (estimated)
150
300
450
600
Application processing fee
850
1,700
1,930
2,160
Right of permanent residence fee
515
1,030
1,030
1,030
Other possible fees, including police certificate, courier and notary (estimated)
It should be noted that some provinces offer provincial healthcare on arrival for new immigrants, while rules in other provinces vary, including three months waiting periods. The cost of three months of health coverage should also be factored into financial planning.
Settlement Funds
Canada’s federal government requires skill worker candidates to have a certain level of settlement funds to prove that they can afford to establish themselves in Canada.
The idea is that they must have a certain amount of money in hand so they do not immediately become a drain on provincial welfare systems.
The 2023 settlement funds are as follows:
Number of Family Members
Funds Required
1
$13,757
2
$17,127
3
$21,055
4
$25,564
5
$28,994
6
$32,700
7
$36,407
Each additional family member
$3,706
Quebec Skilled Worker Immigration
Submitting a profile to the Quebec Expression of Interest pool is free. The fee is charged during the application process for permanent selection.
To apply for the Regular Skilled Worker Program, the principal applicant pays $869, their spouse or common-law partner $186 and each dependent child $186.
Provincial Nominee Program Fees
In Canada’s other provinces, the fees vary wildly, from nothing for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program up to $2,000 for certain categories of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.
Canada’s provincial programs target different occupations and labour market shortages specific to their cities and towns.
PNP
Fee (Canadian dollars)
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
1,150
Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
500
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
500
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
350
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
1,500 or 2,000
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
250
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
250
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
0
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEIPNP)
300
Family Class Immigration
There are several fees associated with Canada’s family class application system, with the main sponsorship, principal applicant processing and right of permanent residence coming to $1,080 for any category of applicant.
Further fees are added as more dependents are added to the application.
Below are the fees specific to family sponsorship applications. It should be noted that the miscellaneous fees appearing in the skilled worker fees table at the top of this page may also apply to the family class.
Parents or Grandparents
Fee (Canadian dollars)
Sponsor your parent or grandparent Sponsorship fee ($75), principal applicant processing fee ($490) and right of permanent residence fee ($515)
1,080
Sponsor your parent or grandparent (without the right of permanent residence fee) Sponsorship fee ($75) and principal applicant processing fee ($490)
565
Include the spouse or partner of your parent or grandparent Processing fee ($570) and right of permanent residence fee ($515)
1,085
Include the spouse or partner of your parent or grandparent (without the right of permanent residence fee)
570
Include a dependent child of your parent or grandparent
