Canada IRCC Raises PR & Citizenship Fees from 30 April 2026 — Express Entry $950 → $990, RPRF $575 → $600

IRCC has published its scheduled fee adjustment under the cost-recovery framework for immigration services. Two effective dates matter: the citizenship right-of-citizenship fee rose on 31 March 2026, and every category of permanent residence processing fee rises on 30 April 2026.

IRCC says the increase reflects a cumulative 7.8% rise in Canada's Consumer Price Index from April 2024 through March 2026. The department adjusts fees periodically so that immigration service costs are recovered from applicants rather than from general tax revenue.

Applications received online before the cutoff date pay the old rates. Applications received on or after 30 April 2026 pay the new rates. Importantly, applicants who deferred the Right of Permanent Residence Fee at the time of submission must pay the new $600 amount when called upon — even if their processing fee was paid at the old rate.

The Express Entry system — including Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades, and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) — is the most common pathway used by UAE-based Indian, Filipino, and Pakistani professionals applying for Canadian permanent residence.

The Right of Citizenship Fee — paid by adult applicants when their citizenship application is approved and before they take the oath — increased from $119.75 to $123.00 on 31 March 2026. This is a separate fee from the citizenship application fee itself, which remained at $530 for adults.

For UAE residents who already hold Canadian permanent residence and are completing their three-year residency obligation, the new combined cost for adult citizenship is now $653 ($530 application + $123 right-of-citizenship), up from $649.75.

IRCC allows applicants to defer the Right of Permanent Residence Fee at the time of submission and pay it later, when called upon during the visa-issuance phase. This option is selected by many applicants who want to spread costs over the multi-year processing window.

IRCC operates on a cost-recovery principle: fees collected from applicants fund the immigration system rather than relying on general taxpayer revenue. The Service Fees Act requires federal departments to adjust certain fees in line with the Consumer Price Index to maintain real-dollar cost recovery as the economy changes.

Canadian inflation cumulated to 7.8% over the two-year measurement window, which is the basis for the current adjustment. PR processing fees were last increased in April 2024, when the Express Entry principal applicant fee rose from $850 to $950 — a 12% jump. The 2026 increase is more moderate at roughly 4–5% across most categories.

Fee adjustments do not change application processing rules, eligibility criteria, or Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoffs. Service standards and processing times remain governed by separate IRCC operational policies.

Canada is one of the top three destinations for UAE residents pursuing permanent migration, particularly among the Indian community (around 38% of the UAE population, 3 million+ residents) and the Filipino community. Express Entry remains the dominant pathway because it does not require an existing Canadian job offer and processes most applications within 6 months.

Tourist visa, study permit, and work permit fees are NOT changing in this announcement — only permanent residence categories and the right of citizenship. UAE residents planning to visit Canada or send children to study in Canada are unaffected.

1. 1If your Express Entry profile has received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and you are within the 60-day submission window, prioritise submitting before 30 April 2026 to lock in the old fees.
2. 2If you can pay the RPRF upfront, do so before the deadline to lock in $575 instead of $600 — saves $25 per applicant.
3. 3PNP nominees with a 60-day window to submit federal PR application should aim to submit before 30 April.
4. 4If you are sponsoring a spouse or partner, submit the sponsorship + PR application together before 30 April to save $50–$75 in total fees per family.
5. 5Prospective applicants still gathering documents (language tests, ECAs, police clearances) should not rush low-quality applications. The $40–$65 saving is not worth a refusal that costs months and the entire fee.
6. 6Citizenship applicants who already meet the 1,095-day residency requirement should submit promptly — though the $3.25 right-of-citizenship increase is minor.
7. 7Contact OraVisa for a personalised assessment of whether your file is ready to submit before the deadline.

This update is based on the IRCC official fee changes page, the Government of Canada news notice on permanent residence fee increases, and corroborating analysis from CIC News and other Canadian immigration sources. All figures are in Canadian dollars (CAD). The information is provided for informational purposes for UAE residents and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. For the latest official fee schedule, visit the IRCC website directly.