(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!
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Hi,
I’m in the process of getting my citizenship, just had my exam last week. I know that its ok to sponsor my husband (resides and works in UK) from outside Canada as long as I’m Canadian. I would just like to know if I could stay with him until he gets his PR Visa. What would happen to the Income Requirements? And how can I demonstrate that we are going to reside here in Canada as soon as he gets his papers. We agreed on starting and raising our family here. I would have to quit my job to be with him. Please advise, I appreciate all the info that you could share.
Best Regards,
Lyla
Hi,
1) You can sponsor your husband if you are a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen. “From outside Canada” or “from inside Canada” can both work for you, it depends on where he lives. From outside Canada is probably a bit faster but he won’t be able to work in Canada until he gets the PR.
2) There are no income requirements for spouses/partners in the family class. However, you cannot receive financial assistance (i.e. Ontario Works, etc.).
Hi
I’m sorry but was going down the immigration route ( pay a couple hundred euro for a professional) until I saw ur website. Just wondering how to do this…my husband and I and 2 small children would like to immigrate to Canada, here’s the question…I was born in Canada but moved to Ireland when I wa 8 months ld, I am a citizen (passport holder) but how and can I, get my husband and kids across?? ThAnk you
Hi,
You probably don’t need an immigration lawyer, most immigrants do the paperwork on their own and save money. To get your family to Canada, you can sponsor them as a Canadian citizen. The website of reference is http://www.cic.gc.ca. Look into the sponsorship category, family class.
Hi i m 4rm Pakistan.. me n mz wife both r planning to migrate canada…i m by profession is an engineer n my wife is doctor.. i m 30 years n my wife 23 y. In short as per assessment form 4 canada canada i m eligible to apply 4 canada immigrantion. I Just want to know how much it cost 4 the whole procedure Approximately? Pls Tell me the lumsum amount..
Thanks
The answer is in the article, you have to calculate for yourself. There is no magic formula.
Hi,
Thank you for this article, is written simply without a lot of tangles … my status is in process for the last 13 months and I’m just a little confused about the fees … I paid little more …(1590$) and I got back 550$… the rest is $ 1040 … I wonder is in this amount counted permanent residence (landing)fee?? If not, then to get ready with the money …
Thank You.
All the best.
…Sorry I forgot to say that i submited aplication for Permanent Residence under the spouse or common law partner in Canada class!
The fees changed since I wrote this article so I’m not sure. Did you check on http://www.cic.gc.ca?
..hm…I will chack..thank you…I hope so no :)…They send me letter in September that I am in proces, and ask for my x ray ( I was pregnant when I had medical exam). So, Im just reading what to expect further ..to be ready, if I can :)…
Hi !
I filed my immigration under skiled worker category in Nov. 2005.
Before 1 month, my file was under processing. Now, it is now showing anything.
Secondly, in 2008, I came to USA under H1B Visa. I worked for 2 years. But, after, my employer didnot continue my H1B, Hence, I had to change my status to F1. I studied Masters in computer science from University of Northern Virginia. I just completed my graduation in Dec, 2012. Now, what are the ways I can immigrate to canada in faster way. As I don’t see too much hope in US. Hence, I would like to move to canada, as I can get my PR card, and live with my family peacefully.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a fast immigration process. Which visa office is processing your application right now?
I am 39 years old, I have my family my wife and two kids age 6, and 12.
I filed my immigration under skiled worker category in Nov. 2005 from New delhi, India.
Before 1 month, my file was showing under processing. Now, it is not showing anything.
After that, in 2008, I came to USA under H1B Visa. I worked for 2 years. But, after, my employer didnot continue my H1B, Hence, I had to change my status to F1. I studied Masters in computer science from University of Northern Virginia. I just completed my graduation in Dec, 2012. Now, I am waiting for my OPT, which I have applied, under which I can work in USA for 27 months.
Now, what are the faster ways I can immigrate to canada. As I don’t see too much hope in US. Hence, I would like to move to canada, as I can get my PR card, and live with my family peacefully.
I was hoping that my file will open up very soon. But, the Canadian Govt. has cancelled all the immigration files upto 2007.
Now, what should I do and what are the ways I can expedite my immigration process faster. Please guide my the faster ways to immigrate to canada.
Please I am awaiting your earliest reply.
I have just started the application process for permanent residency in Canada. I have already gone through the process of getting a study permit and then a post grad work permit, and those processes were relatively easy and quick. Therefore I did not predict having a possibility of a year or more to get my permanent resident status approved.
I just signed up to take my english language proficiency test at the earliest possible date in june, but my work permit expires in September.
My question is… am I able to continue working while my application is being processed? Or should I apply to extend my work permit?
Sorry, I can’t answer the question, no idea. The PR process is long, depending on the visa office and on your application. It often takes at least a year, sometime several years. If you can extend your work permit, do it. I don’t which kind of permit you have and what your status is in Canada so I can’t really give you any specific advice.
Hi dear Zhu,
I need some advice and help. I am presently on study permit, and would soon get my 3 year work permit. I am plannin on getting married next year and hopefully have my spouse with me here. She’s in India right now. We both fall under skilled worker. I know I have to take quick action since the processing takes quite long. How would you advice me to go on for this ??
Would appreciate your help,
Thanks,
Harris
You can apply in the skilled worker category if you meet the requirements but yes, processing times are long and there is no way around it.
Hi….
I really appreciate it very much if u could advice me of what to do. I am Malaysian, age 40 single mum(widow), plan to migrate to Canada. Have 4 kids age range 5-17 yrs old. I will go alone first, after settling down then only will bring all my kids. Have Diploma In Accounting(local) + 10++ yrs working experience (local). Unemployed for more than 2 yrs(right after my husband’s demised). Would like to work in Canada and taking up part time degree course there for better future career prospect.
Btw, the other reason why I need to migrate is because my late husband’s debts… now all the creditors are chasing me to pay all the debts which amounted to nearly half a million MYR which I cannot afford to pay. If I keep on living in Malaysia, I’m afraid there might not be peace any more in me and my kids life after this… not just that our life might as well be in great danger….. I have a house and willing to let it go and use the money for this migration purposes…
Pls pls advice me….. I’m grateful for prompt respond and all your kindness….
Do you qualify under any of the immigration category? That would be your first step. You can check the various categories at http://www.cic.gc.ca, the most common are the skilled worker category and the provincial nominee category. Note that the immigration process can be expensive, and moving to another country to escape debt may not be the right move, even if I understand the situation is difficult.
Hi Zhu,
I am from China and I’ve applied for business migration to canada half a year ago. Recently my daughter has told me to withdraw the application as she and her husband is able to bring our family over if she can get a permanent residency visa.
I had to pay 200 thousand to the canadian government as an investment to allow me to apply. It is alot of money and I wont get it back if they grant my family PR. It seems to my family that it is cheaper for us to wait for my daughter to graduate and get her PR rather than go through the business migration.
I was wondering if it is possible for me to get the money back? Do they refund the money you put with the government?
Thanks so much Zhu. 🙂
Sincerely,
Ryan
I think that when you withdraw your application, you can a refund, but you should contact CIC about that.
Hello Sir,
I read your posts and they are helping me alot to know the process to immigrate in Canada. I am an Indian National and right now working in Madagascar since last three years. I want to know that what kind of visa I should apply to land in Canada? Does Applying for “skilled worker visa” needs Employer’s invitation?
Does the tourist visa can be transformed into Residence Visa?
My first cousin sister and her husband are non resident Canandians. Are they still able to sponsor me?
Waiting for your helpful comment.
Reagrds
Syed
Sir, really? I am a woman! 😆
All the info you need is on http://www.cic.gc.ca, I encourage you to read the website for general visa information. Best of luck!
Hi Zhu I`m Brazilian and I hired a paralegal to represent me and do all the paper work for my visa , I payed 6.000 american Dollares
it was 2 years and half ago ,Am I getting cheated on by the paralegal ? my dreams seems so far away the paralegal web site is http://www.prolegal.ca and the paralegal name is Humberto Simao . thanks for informing people .
I have no way to know if this paralegal is legit or not, but it seems like a waste to pay so much money when you can compete the application on your own! If your application is stuck in the processing queue, there is nothing the paralegal can do… but if I were you I would inquire about the status of the application.
Hello,
I am trying to find out how much the fee is to sponsor my soon to be wife to Canada ( she is an American citizen and I am a Canadian citizen) we are getting married at the end of the month (June) in B.C. Canada.
All the info is here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp.
Good luck!
Hi. I applied in an online migration services name ASKMIGRATION.com. At first, they ask me to send a copy of my CV to their email address.That’s what I did. Then after a week or two they email me back. This time they are asking for my CV again to check my job status and help me find a job in Canada. They are asking for a 108$ for the processing fee. It it will take up to 7-14 days. They are also saying they will find me a work there and if I don’t have any match job there they will refund me. However, I am a bit hesitant. Is this legit? Do I have to pay? Please help. I would appreciate any respond from you. Thanks.
These kind of online services are typically a scam. I would advise you to not send money!
Hi ZHU
My name is Hassan and i am from Pakistan. I must say i am impressed by the way you are trying to help people in every way you can for free. I wanted to ask you i m also planing to hire an immigration lawyer named david cohen website(www.canadavisa.com). The reason is that i dont fulfill the 67 points requirement of canadian immigration. I lack points. SO does a lawyer can help me if completing the required points or not secondly I was wondering even if i try to fill the applications on my own can i submitt my appliccation without a job offer. and in which immigration programme should i apply. I am related to Human Resource and i have more than 9 years of experience. YOur help would be appreciated
Regards
Hasan
I personally wouldn’t hire a lawyer, he won’t help you improve your chances of being accepted and you will waste money. I would advise you to work on whatever you need to get more points (language skills, experience, etc.) and apply by yourself.
Good luck!
Thank You Zhu but even if i fulfill points do i still need a job offer to apply for canadian immigration? or i can apply without a job offer as well
thanks for your time
Most people apply without a job offer 🙂
LOL may be i asked wrong question i wanted to ask in which immigration category u dont need a job offer for and can a person could apply for federal skilled worker category without a job offer or not
Yes, any of the categories really. You do not need to have a job offer in Canada to apply for permanent residence.
HI Zhu,
I am from Shanghai,China.
You are so nice person to provide replies to the people from different countries without any fee charged.
I wonder if you could please tell how to write business plan for Provincial Nominee Programe?
I contact a lawyer in NB province, the offer is C$12000.0 including writing final business plan.
is this a fair rate? where i can find price for an immigration lawyer?
We have good enough English to handle our application by ourselves just considering immigration lawyer maybe more professional,for initial interview after we got invitation,how can we know which government dept.we should contact? where i can find from the website?
I am sorry, I have no idea, this is not a part of the immigration program I know well. The rate the lawyer offered seems extremely high though, and I would recommend you to go through the process on you own as lawyer won’t increase your chances of “getting in”.
Thank u ZHU. May Al Alimighgty Bless You AMeen 🙂
You are welcome!
Hi Zhu. Thanks for all the information. I am a civil engineer from nigeria and thinking of getting permanent residency in Canada. I have contacted an immigration lawyer who is asking for $2500. Though am yet to pay him, he has already done the eligibilty test for me and he said am qualified with a point score of 68. Please I need ur advice cos $2500 is quite an amount which I can use in some other more important aspects of the application process. Thanks for your services.
You do NOT need an immigration lawyer, you can complete the process alone like most immigrants do. A lawyer won’t increase your chances of getting permanent residence and will not speed up the process. I encourage you to go to http://www.cic.gc.ca and do it alone 🙂
Hi there
Thank you for the info you have been providing in your blog. Really helpful.
Im in the process of filling out all the forms and getting the support documentation ready.
The one thing that is worrying me as that for me , everything is hinging on me getting a sponsoring employer. The immigration firm I am working with said they will work with a placement firm to help me find a job there such that I can be sponsored to move.
I am hopeful but I know that it wont be easy. I wonder if anybody has been able to successfully find a sponsored employer.
Regards,
Sizwe
If you are filling for permanent residence, having arranged employment could be an asset but it is not a pre requisite.
hi, I am deepika from India. I am girl I want to study in Canada. & also my mother want to come along with me do you have any idea how much it would cost me. we want to settle in Canada. but we are not very rich. will we able to get work along with my studies. we can hardly afford $4000-6000
You can check it online at http://www.cic.gc.ca but you should have at least 10,000 dollars I think.
Hi,
i want to ask that how much one should invest to get an immigration.please reply me soon.I shall be thankful to you for this kindness
regards.
Go to cic.gc.ca where you can find all the relevant info 🙂
Hi,
I am Boby. I want to know that if I and my wife would like to immigrant in Canada, what is the procedure ? Pls reply me soon. I will thankful to you.
All you need to know is at http://www.cic.gc.ca.
Hi,
i m single and would like to immigrate to Canada. Please let me know more about how much it costs me to move.
All the info you need is at http://www.cic.gc.ca.
Hi,
I am from scotland, U.K. Is it compulsory for us to take an English test for immigrating to canada even though English is our first language?
Thank you.
You will have to check with CIC but I think so, given that I’ve heard French people taking the French language test!
Hi I just received the permanent resident cards for me and my wife. We intend to relocate to Canada in December. Can you guide me as to what a typical monthly budget for us should be. I realize that this depends a lot on our lifestyle choices but overall do you think $3,000 per month (divided roughly into $1,500 for rent and $ 1,500 for other expenses) is going to be enough for a modest lifestyle for a couple. We will likely stay initially in the GTA, perhaps Mississauga.
Thanks a lot.
I live in Ottawa where, I believe, cost of living is lower. Budgeting is such a personal issue that I can’t really provide an answer. You can check the average rental price in the GTA online (is $1,500 enough?). I can definitely live with $1,500 for general monthly expenses but it will depend on whether you have a car, have kids, need cellphones, etc.
Your blog is amazing! I love your knowledgeable advice, besides, the pictures of your child are so cute!
I’m planning to immigrate to Canada from Costa Rica. I have a BSc in Social Sciences and a MSc in Environment, plus 7 years of experience coordinating environmental projects.
Can you please give me your opinion on my plans?:
Plan A:
-Study a 1.5 years MSc course in natural sciences.
-As soon as I graduate, apply to the International Post-Graduates Pilot Project of the Provincial Nomination Program of British Columbia (which allows to apply without a job offer if you graduate in natural sciences).
(I’m applying to the Nomination as soon as possible since it is a lengthy process and I’m afraid that my 1.5 postgraduate visa would expire before getting my PR).
-Get a postgraduate work permit and get a job in 0, A or B skills, and update my job status at my Nomination application.
-In case the nomination is not approved, I will accumulate experience and then apply for Canadian Experience Class.
Questions about plan A:
-How likely is to get Permanent Residence through the BC Nomination program without a job offer? I would try to get a job, but if I can’t get it soon, would the CIC deny me PR in spite of the BC nomination?
-How much does this process would cost? Besides the $125 study permit and the $550 nomination fee; how much is for the work permit fee? Are there any other costs, like a landing fee that you pay at the airport with the borders officer?
Plan B:
-Work 1 year with a Working Holiday Visa.
-Apply for Canadian Experience Class.
Question about plan B:
-How can I get a 0, A or B skill job (needed to file for permanent residency) with a open work permit of only 1 year? Employers will see me as short-timer and will not hire me, so I won’t have enough experience to apply the CEC.
-Once the WHV expires, I cannot renew the visa, but I would have to come back home and apply for another type of visa that requires me to get a job beforehand, which is very difficult.
Plan C:
-I checked the Federal Skills Worker and my experience does not quite match the Environmental Health Inspector NOC description, so CIC would deny me PR in the application.
Do you have any other ideas to become a PR in Canada?
Thanks so much!
Wow, you are asking great questions and you clearly did research! That’s already a great first step 🙂 I’m sending you an email regarding your questions, it will be easier.
i am pursuing B.Tech in mechanical engineering final year.i want to migrate to Canada (permanent)from India to gain experience by doing job there and then doing MBA there . would you to like to suggest any plan?
Your best bet would be to explore various options on http://www.cic.gc.ca. Studying in Canada, trying to apply for a temp work permit (very tough) or applying for permanent residence if you qualify.
Hi,
I am a Canadian, (from Ottawa also 🙂 ), and my wife is from USA. We want to live in Canada and work there. So in order to bring her in to work (she is a teacher), do I sponsor her, or try and get a PR card? Sorry I don’t know the difference and maybe they are both the same, but whats the difference between a PR card or me being a sponsor? They say on the internet a PR card is 50$. Can you help me in which category I use to bring her into Canada?
Hi Kim,
The PR card is basically the proof of your status in Canada as a permanent resident. The $50 fee is if you lose the actual card, the first one is free if you are accepted as a landed immigrant (a permanent resident). You can’t get her a PR card like that, she must go through the whole immigration process first.
The best way would be for you to sponsor her (see “sponsorship category”) on the CIC website. Warning: it is a process and takes time (months, sometime years… but I’d say months for you considering you are married).
Hi Zhu,
I am trying to hire my young sister as a live-in caregiver to take care my kid. We have the postivie LMO. Even she is a intern doctor from China, she is denied for the work permit recently. Any advice? Thank you so much for your time.
Sally from Surrey BC
Hi Sally,
Was she given a reason for the refusal?
1)I am 29 year old, male, married, resident of India.
2)I did masters degree in MICROSOFT SYSTEM Engineering(MCSE)
3)I am a permanent employee of K’N’K COMPUTER since last 7 years. I am working here as a software engineer.
4)I have total 7 years of IT experience.
I would like to work and live in Canada.
1) What is the best work permit suits me.
2) How much time it will take for immegration to Canada if I apply it from India. How much it costs
You can find all your answers doing a bit of research! Go to http://www.cic.gc.ca, I am not the best person to advise you. 😉