(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!
I am a law graduate having experience in travel sector (booking airlines around the globe with gds) not sure whether I should apply in law field or tourism industry in express entry.
I… really don’t know! You should talk with professionals in your field.
Thank you so much for this platform.i am a nigerian married with 3kids,2 of my kids are American citizens although they are below the age of 3.my hubby and i wish to go and settle in canada,hubby is a business man and has d money to take care of all of us for years.please how do we go about it thanks.
All you need to do is see if you are eligible on http://www.cic.gc.ca. Good luck.
Hello madam
A few days ago I had received an email Canada.Immigrationapproval@diplomats.com for family ressettlement and i passed the documents process and now they needs money 518 Canadian dollars for each person to send us certificate canada Embassy in my country
now I don’t know how I can it’s correct or not please help me
I believe this is a scam. Do not send any money.
I am a business man in India, I am not happy with pollution here as this is a developing country. I believe it may affect in some or the other way and affect health. I wish to move to Canada siting clean air and clean water and other resources. Does entrepreneurs have scope to migrate to Canada? What are the costs involved?
You should visit the official reference website for immigration matters: http://www.cic.gc.ca.
i will love to come and live in canada but i dnt know how to get a residence visa here in my country pls help me.Thanks alot
You need to do research online, there is a lot of info available. Check out http://www.cic.gc.ca.
Good information sir!
… I am a woman…
Thanks for the information!
Is it possible for me to apply for the skilled immigration with my brother and his family or do I have to do mine separately.
I have no idea, I don’t know your case.
my sons girlfriend came into Canada as a visitor. She went through Calgary and the Border told her to come back the next day infront of a magistrate. They did not say why. She met my son in Calgary, but they slept in and missed the appointment. So they just went on and planned to have her just stay the 180 days. She went over her stay by two months, and was arrested, put in jail and went in front of a judge who sent her back to the states. I dont know if she was deported for ever? or just sent back and can come back the right way. How do I find this out. I paid a lawyer to take her case, but i did not get any information back as to what happened. in court. Is there someone I can call or write to do get the results of that case. My son cannot go to the states because of dui, so his hope is she can come back to Canada and they move on with their lives here. But just dont know? And answers. I will send an email to the lawyer and see what he says but not sure now if I can trust what he says.
I really appreciate it when people say “hi” and “thank you” instead of posting a wall of text…
How can i get working permit and how much does it cost to canada
http://www.cic.gc.ca
Thanks .. A great source of information… Would need some informations later.
Eleanor Clarina
How much do i need to pay to apply for the (PRTD)
It says in the article…
No it doesn’t
Hi,
ZHU,
I would like to get in touch with you. I would like to consult with you regarding immigration.
Kindly, find the below details me mine.
I’m not an immigration consultant, sorry.
We don’t want anymore fucking immigrants
HI Donald,
Thank you for the in-depth constructive comment! Any DNA shared with the Trump family? Or are you just another random coward behind the screen?
Poor misguided soul. Like some delusional folks found a scapegoat in immigrants. Probably has biased opinions that shape his/her ideas about what an immigrant is/looks like.
Perhaps he/she doesn’t realize that many of these immigrants that he/she doesn’t want are more well off/qualified than him/her. Jealousy, perhaps?
Either that, or the fellow is just looking for some attention.
Anyway, I for one appreciate your webpage.
Bon Chance!
Thank you for your support! I think you are right, I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I hope her life gets better, in Canada or elsewhere.
ZHU
you are doing a good job
Thank you!
Hi Zhu, The fees you said about the Processing fees to Canada, is it from Malaysia to Canada iin this year 2016? Approximate how much is the cost now if we go through a consultant? Maybe a a rough estimate will be a great help.
Certain consultants are down to earth Spiritual guys, just want to know esp for work and migration, etc.
Thank you Ms Zhu.
Hi,
I have no idea how much consultants charge in Malaysia! For updated fees, check out the official website, http://www.cic.gc.ca.
Thank you so much Zhu! You are the best.
Thank you so much. good info and great post.
please can you share the link .
I will give you a list of useful links at the end of this series, and these will all be free!
I am a Kenyan citizen aged 19, I am planning to immigrate to Canada mid/end-next year for a permanent residence. I am a graduate in Development Studies and I have other useful skills as Tailoring and Curtain making. I am excellent at interior design though I did not take it as a major in University. I am violinist also. Apart from the normal fees for applications and travel how much more should I have and can I find I job to support myself?
Thanks.
The quick answer is… as much money as you can save. Many immigrants report that the minimum amount required by CIC is quite low, and unfortunately, cost of living is rising. I understand how hard it is to save, of course. Did you check if you were eligible?
How much is the living cost of three (2adults & 1year old)?
In the web it is CAD$18,617 (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/funds.asp), is it includes Rent & other daily expenses?
Can give an overview of living expense in canada?
It’s impossible to give you a straight answer: Canada is a huge country and the cost of living is very different from one city to another, from one province to another, etc. It also depends on your own budgeting skills, spending habits, etc. $18,617 seems very very low. These funds are supposed to help you make the transition but I can’t see how a family can live with so little (and I’m sure some do, but this is not life, it’s survival at this point).
hello madam
I came to know you through search engine that help those applicants who want to immigrate to canada. please help me…
I am MBA student graduate in finance. I want a job in canada. I am an Indian nationality.
You have to do research online. Star with the Government of Canada pages on immigration.
There are so many consultant who are very very expensive how can I get imigration myself paying legal fee of canada thanks
I’m not sure I understand your question. If you want to apply by yourself, I’d suggest you check you the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Hi Zhu,
I am 34 year old dual citizen of Australia and the UK looking to move to Canada for work. I have run into issues trying to get sponsored work and have just started looking into trying the Express Entry via the skilled worker route.
I do not have a degree but did attend law school but never graduated. I worked as a retail analyst for a big multi national company and was told that I could still apply based on this even though I didn’t have enough points.
Is it worth getting an immigration lawyer to help me work this out and apply? I see it as my only real route to get into Canada. I also have the possibility of a job offer but only if I can get a visa on my own.
Honestly, I have no idea. Lawyers can give good advice, so an initial consultation could help you. But really, it comes down to being eligible or not and if you’re not eligible, I think going through the process with or without a lawyer would be a waste of time and money.
Am from Nigeria with 3kids..had my first degree in Economics and diploma in business studies..worked with an insurance firm as an agent..what job can i fit in when i migrate to Canada that will be ok for me and my kids.
I’m not qualified to answer that question, you need to do research on your own.
I am a 26 yr old man with a 25 yr old wife, 2 children under the age of 7 and my mother who is 45. I have Type 1 diabetes and am insulin dependent, and my mother has a rare heart and lung condition. My wife and I are both very skilled card dealers and have been in the casino industry for over 5 yrs, we are looking to move to the Quebec or Ontario area for better work and healthcare. What can you do/say to help us.
O duh, we live in the US also…if that makes a difference.
This is something you need to investigate but unfortunately, severe medical conditions (and the definition of “severe” is something you have to check) can prevent you from immigrating to Canada for this exact reason, skilled immigrants are chosen primarily to contribute to the country, the government fear any additional burden on the healthcare system. Before even applying, do check whether you are eligible.
Hi, I an Indian citizen currently working in US on temporary work visa. I have a graduate degree and 10 yrs of experience in IT field as Software analyst. I’m planning to apply Permanent residency for Canada under skilled Immigrant category
Do you think with degree and relevant work experience, this permanent residency will be approved in 6 months ? What is an average approval process time and cost for me and my wife. is this right time to apply permanent residency for Canada
I doubt it. Current processing time, depending on the visa office, are usually years, not months.
Helllo, what should be mimimum cutoffs required for IELTS while applying for Canadian PR under express entry? is it necessary for my wife to appear for IELTS? & What will be approximate cost for Canadian PR while applying from India by my own?
Regards,
Piyush Agrawal
I’m not up to date with current policies, but I’m pretty sure you can find your answer on http://www.cic.gc.ca. Good luck!
Thank you ZHU, very helpful informations for a new immigrant.
You’re very welcome, good luck to you!
in dubai oraclevisas agagenci charged 1500 dhs. for first for submitting my cv is it real or not?
Probably a scam. Agencies cannot help you get a job in Canada if you don’t already have a visa.
i want to move from india to canada….m MBA in Marketing and 4+ yr exp in sales field….so plz suggest me what i have to do????
You have to see if you are eligible for a visa. All the information is online, focus on official Governement of Canada’s websites.
Hello. i am a Nigerian i don’t know if it is possible for me to work in canada because i don’t have a degree certificate i only finish college my parents don’t have much to take care of me and my siblings. i am 21 years old. please is it possible for me. i have someone there who can take care of me but he is not a citizen of canada he is from Bulgeria working in canada i met him online and we became per (GOOD FRIENDS) And he said i should make some requeiries if it is possible. Please i need your answer thank you?
Your good friend won’t be of any help for immigration matters. You should get info from Canada’s official immigration website.
Hi ZHU,
My situation is this my fiancee is Canadian lived there all his life. I plan on moving to Canada from the US once I retire which is in several years. I will have assets of close to 1 million dollars. Question is what would be the easiest way to emigrate to Canada? Family sponsorship? or on my own merit? We are both divorced and at the time I plan on moving there we will have been together for 9 years.
Thanks!
You need to check the official immigration website and see what option is best for you. Sponsorship sounds like the obvious option.