(Updated April 2020)
Welcome to the “How to immigrate to Canada” series, ten articles covering the basics—immigration categories, rights and duties as a permanent resident, first steps as a newcomer and more.
Browse these articles for more info on immigrating to Canada.
Did you find the right immigration category and check your eligibility? Are you getting ready to fill out your permanent residence application? Good job!
But wait—can you afford it?
You probably already know or suspect you will have to pay an application processing fee and the right of permanent residence fee. But did you budget for other associated expenses?
In this article, I will give you an overview of how much you should budget when applying for permanent residence in Canada. All amounts are in Canadian dollars.
The application processing fee
The fee depends on your immigration category.
- For business immigration (Quebec business immigration, Self-employed people, and Start-up visa), the processing fee is $1050.
- For economic immigration, including Express Entry (Atlantic immigration pilot, Canadian experience class, Live-in Caregiver Program, Home Child Care Provider Pilot [without the work permit fee], Home Support Worker Pilot [without the work permit fee], Federal skilled workers, Federal skilled trades, Provincial nominee, Rural and northern immigration pilot and Quebec-selected skilled workers), the processing fee is $550.
- For humanitarian and compassionate, the fee is $550.
- For spouse, partner or children sponsorship, the fee is $550.
For more details, check out the Fee list.
The Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) fee
Applicants who plan to settle in Quebec must apply for a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). The fee is $812 for the principal applicant, $174 for a spouse, and $174 for each child.
The right of permanent residence fee
All landed immigrants in Canada must pay the right of permanent residence fee (RPRF), which is $490 per person.
Note that the RPRF can be refunded if your application is denied or if you withdraw it. This is the only refundable fee.
Other application-related fees
- If your supporting documents (i.e. diplomas, certifications, etc.) are not in French or English, you must hire an authorized translator and provide a translation.
- You must include several photographs and the rules are quite specific (yes, Canadians are weird with passport pictures!). Depending on where you live, it adds up. In Canada, it cost about $14 for two pics—not cheap if you immigrate as a family!
- You may need to have your foreign degrees recognized in Canada. This is called a credential evaluation only designated organizations such as World Education Services can perform the assessment. The recommended ECA evaluation is $220.
- If English or French isn’t the official language in your country of citizenship, you will have to have your language abilities tested. This is one of the six selection factors for skilled workers. The language proficiency test must be administered by an approved organization, for example, IELTS (around $320) and CELPIP ($265) for English, or the TEF for French ($440).
- A medical exam is mandatory for each applicant and their dependents (spouse, children) and it must be performed by a panel physician. Two fees must be paid—the exam fee and the X-ray fee. Fees vary greatly so ask around. In 2005, I paid $100 for the medical exam and $100 for the X-ray in an Ottawa clinic.
Miscellaneous fees to budget for
- Travelling expenses from your city to your local Canadian visa office, typically located in world capitals. You may have to show up in person if an interview is required. Similarly, you may have to travel to the nearest panel physician for your medical exam.
- Passport fees, since you will need a valid passport issued by your country of citizenship to travel to Canada.
Unnecessary expenses
Don’t splurge for an immigration consultant! As I explained in Two Immigration Myths, most applicants don’t need to hire an immigration lawyer or an immigration consultant—it’s money wasted.
Immigration representatives typically charge from $1000 to $5000 (but the sky is the limit!). Save money, learn to Google.
Don’t forget you need savings on top of all these fees and expenses
If you apply in the skilled worker category, you will have to prove that you have enough funds to support yourself and your family for the first few months following your arrival in Canada. For one person, it’s $12,960, and up to $27,315 for a family of five.
Good luck!
Hi im from Mauritius i work on cruise ship for 5 years already but im not skilled im Married and has a daughter of 7 so is there any chance for me??
Being married and having a child isn’t an issue or an asset regarding your project. However, you do need to qualify.
Hi, you have been really helpful to a lot of people. Please I want to know if it Is a compulsory to have more than 10,000 dollars before you can be allowed into Canada. That’s big amount of money if I could say.
Depends on the category you apply in, I suppose. I’m not up to date with the latest requirements. Keep in mind that 10 000 $ isn’t that big of an amount in Canada, cost of living may be higher than where you currently live (admittedly, it makes it hard to save this amount, I understand that!)
Good morning.
Firstly, thank you for all the clear information on your website regarding immigration to Canada. Myself, my partner and mour children are considering moving to Canada permanently, however we couldn’t find any information on requirements of debt. We both have some debt which we are working to clear, but wondered if that could stop you applying for a work visa?
Kind regards,
Stacey Hardy
I’m not an expert but I’ve never heard of debt being an issue to get a visa. This is not really Canada’s business, as long as you’re able to pay visa fees. And it’s not a criminal matter… so shouldn’t be a red flag.
Sir,
Please you send me email at my gmail(ihsanalich@gmail.com)then I shall send all detail from .Please please
I don’t offer immigration advice.
Hi madam,I am AbdulRahim from Afghanistan and living in UAE,I have recently graduated from high school and looking to get immigrated to Canada by work permit.Can you help getting that?
Nope, I’m not an immigration lawyer. All the info you need is free and online.
How to get sponsorship,who can me sponsorship
Research the topic online…
I’m a USA citizen I married a Canadian citizen
We were told the best way is for an inland sponsorship with work permit
Any help
Please
All the info you need is online.
Hi madam,I am AbdulRahim from Afghanistan and living in UAE,I have recently graduated from high school and looking to get immigrated to Canada by work permit.Can you help getting that?
Hi madam, I am married and I want to get a permanent visa/ permit to Canada. Please like how much should I be looking up to, how much will it also cost me and my hubby?. Thank you you.
The answer is pretty much in the article…
Please email me
Thank you
hi, I am planning to come down to Canada and looking for a govt over there. can you tell me the scope of govt job in Canada.
It’s pretty big in Ottawa, the federal capital. However, the hiring process is long and priority is given to Canadian citizens.
Hi, thanks for the info! I was planning to apply an immigrant visa using the express entry. Does a work permit needed to get a higher points to get approved even if im applying as an immigrant?
Sorry, no idea!
If for example im her ni SPAIN but im already CITEZ.EN her what papers are produced .
I don’t understand your question.
Hi , am a Zambian married with 2 kids, me and my family would like to move to Canada, how much is required in USD for us to gain approval? And how easy is it to get a job before coming to Canada?
As for how much is required, it depends on the immigration category.
There’s no yes/no answer to how easy it is to get a job before moving to Canada, but generally speaking, employers favour immigrants who are already in Canada and ready to work legally. Few employers will wait for months or years of red tape.
Hi my name is Barney, my fiancé and I have recently started the application process to move to Canada through a company called cis. We’ve already paid the first stage (the profile) of roughly £600 but then once a decision has been made all of the options are in excess of 3250? Is that normal or would it be easier to go about it myself?
Cheers.
I typically recommend to handle the process yourself. This is what most immigrants do (successfully!). Immigration lawyers, visa businesses, etc. don’t actually speed up anything or increase your chances. It’s a waste of money and many are just scams.
Hi there
I was just looking into working with cis myself and family this week, they are offering €190 for profile registration, how have they assisted you thus far?
It’s a scam…
I’d live in Georgia and I’m planning to go meet my fiance In Toronto to get married and start a happy family afresh ..please how is the best way to get a permanent stay visa
All the info you need is online. You can check Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
I have a record of landing imm 1000 i got it when i was 7 years. We left canada without getting the pr now i am 30 years. Can i travel back to canada and apply for the pr?
Probably not. Since you presumably didn’t meet the residency requirements or never landed in Canada, you lost your PR. You have to apply for it again.
Dear Zhu,
I have started process for Canada Permanent Visa, The person with who i am in contact is always asking me send the fee on Money Gram or Weston Union, Last time i have transfer CVAR fee by money Gram. the following is his email for more transfer, “PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE BY WESTERN UNION TRANSFER:
Please you can now proceed and make the following payments.
Permanent resident fee. $350 Per person
Validation Fee: $1000 Family
Travel & Health Insurance Cover: $1500 Family
Receiver: FRANK ROGERS
TOTAL AMOUNT: $4,250.00
TORONTO, CANADA”
Need your advised in this regard.
It’s a scam. Never send money through Western Union. The business probably doesn’t even exist.
Hi, I am Zweli from South Africa. Is there a scam for the people who may claim to representative for Canadian Immigrants. How can we realize if it’s a scam?
It’s a scam. The Government of Canada make all the info available online for free and doesn’t use representative.
Thanks Zhu
I really appreciate you alot
Hi i’m single so can i move canda permenently
Check out the Government of Canada website.
Hi…please help…..is it compulsory to have that big amount even if you will be sponsored….foe example already have free accomodation and have secured a job already,?
Regardless, you will have to pay the fees.
Wow,, it seems quite expensive here.
I would like to get more information.
Thnks
Keep in mind that salary are also higher once you’re in Canada 😉
Please mam,, In case I’m offered to study In Canada,, will it be possible to change my visa to permanent anytime soon?
You would have to apply for permanent residence.
Sir I need the link to start the procedure
… Google?
Hi, I am from South Africa and I wanted to know my husband and I do not have any degrees but we have years of work experience. do we stand a chance of getting in or won’t we be considered because of no degrees? we have the money to sustain ourselves for 2-3 months but will it be hard to find employment? we both in admin & finance departments.
You can see if you have enough point online, on the website of the Government of Canada.
Hi I came to canada for workin. But I have no money what can i do.
Adjust your plans?
There are these agents by the name SONAIEXVAS. Have you ever heard of them and their dealings if they are authentic or its just a scam.?
Probably scammy.
Hi.
Just wondering what you think my best option is.
My brother and his wife (she’s Canadian and he’s Australian with Canadian PR) live in Winnipeg and I want to be able to immigrate to be there with them.
What kind of sponsorship would be best?
You can’t be sponsored by your brother. It works for spouses.
Please how much does it cost to immigrate for a husband,wife and child. please
Check canada.ca for the latest fees.
Hi, you have been really helpful to a lot of people. Please email me all your 10 posts and all other information regarding migration to Canada. Thanks in advance.
The relevant articles are here: https://correresmidestino.com/category/immigration/
Hi,please i want to apply for visa to immigrate permanent to canada looking for jobs to do am a graphic designer an a computer operator am single not married but i dont no the right link to use and apply for the Visa.Scanners too plenty.
You have to look for the website of the Government of Canada for all official directives.
Please confirm if Canadian Visa Professionals is legitimate.
if it legit, the categories of fees being charge:
Documentation US$2, 730
Registration US$500
Lawyers US$ 1, 000
TOTAL US$4, 230
Are these costs normal?
kindly advise if I am really dealing with a genuine organization please
Is it normal to ask for the details of your ATM card details and deduct fees direct?
Please urgently advise
It sounds like a scam. You absolutely don’t need lawyers.
Hi
My self mohd jasim i m 28yrs old
from india
I am not skilled but
I have experience of 10 years in hospital with orthopedic surgeon i do everythng thr like driving marketing ot assist. Etc.
Is there any way to move canada.
You have to see if you qualify, I can’t help you.