Increase in IRCC Application Fees Starting December 1
Author: Ashish Masopta
Starting December 1, application and processing fees for various types of visitor, work, and study visa applications to Canada will increase.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that fees related to temporary residence applications—either for extending status or entering Canada—will be increasing. This includes:
Applications to restore temporary resident status (for visitors, workers, and students);
Applications for Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC);
Criminal rehabilitation applications (including those for serious criminality);
Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) applications.
IRCC has not yet released the new fee amounts.
Current Fees
The table below shows the current fees for the relevant applications:
| Application Type | Current Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Restoration of Visitor Status | $229.00 |
| Restoration of Student Status | $379.00 |
| Restoration of Worker Status | $384.00 |
| Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) | $459.55 |
| Criminal Inadmissibility | $229.77 |
| Serious Criminality Inadmissibility | $1,148.87 |
| Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) | $229.77 |
What Happens if the Old Fee Was Paid?
In most cases, applicants who submitted a complete application along with the old fee to IRCC do not need to worry about the fee change.
Online Applications:
When applying online, the application is received instantly, and a valid confirmation of submission is available immediately or shortly after.
Paper Applications:
If submitted by mail, there may be a time gap between when the applicant sends the documents and when IRCC receives them. During this period, the fees may change.
In most cases, the application will not be rejected if:
The applicant paid the full old fee;
The application was complete;
The application was submitted before the fee change.
If an additional payment is required, IRCC will provide instructions on how to pay the difference.
How to Pay the Fee Difference After the IRCC Fee Change
In some cases, if an applicant submitted a paper application and paid the old fee, they may be asked to pay the difference. Instructions for submitting the new payment receipt will be provided.
How to Create a Receipt:
Calculate the Fee Difference:
The applicant must calculate the difference between the old and new fees. This includes fees for any accompanying family members.
Make the Payment:
Use the “Pay additional or other fees” section of the IRCC online payment tool.
In the “quantity” field, enter the total fee difference (new fee minus old fee).
A receipt will be issued for each payment. Payments can be made in a single transaction or multiple ones.
Submit the Receipt:
The applicant must follow the instructions provided in the original IRCC request to submit the payment receipt.
Am I Eligible to Immigrate to Canada?
To assess your eligibility for immigration to Canada, you can use online assessment tools or consult with licensed immigration consultants for more information.
Further updates regarding fee changes will be released by IRCC soon.