Permanent residency for Canada will experience a slight price hike. On April 5, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced on its website that all permanent residency (PR) applications would be subject to an increase in costs to compensate for inflation.
From May 2022, all permanent residence applications in Canada will be subject to an increase in application charges; individuals wishing to relocate to Canada after that date will be required to pay an additional price. The fee increase will affect the economic, permit holder, family, and humanitarian categories.
Permanent Residency In Canada
A Canadian permanent resident (PR) is not a Canadian citizen but is entitled to live and work in Canada indefinitely. Like a citizen, they enjoy certain privileges, such as receiving coverage under their universal health care system and the ability to contribute to the Canada Pension Plan.
However, permanent residents do not have the right to vote in Canadian elections. In addition, they are barred from running for political office at any level of government. They cannot work in the public or commercial sectors that require a high degree of security clearance.
To apply for permanent residency for canada, one must approach the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRCC), apply for one of the several programs accessible to foreign nationals, and be approved for a Canada Permanent Residence visa. Some of the available programs include:
- Express Entry
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Quebec Skilled Workers
- Atlantic Immigration Class
- Economic Pilots
- Live-in Caregiver Program and Caregivers Pilots
- Business (Federal and Quebec)
- Family Reunification
- Protected Persons
- Humanitarian and Compassionate
The Canada Permanent Residence visa is valid for 5 years and allows multiple entries. It will enable highly trained foreign employees to work and live in Canada. After three years of staying and working on the PR card, you can alter your Canadian PR status to that of a Canadian citizen.
Increase in Canadian PR Fees
The cost increase is intended to keep Canada well-aligned with the fees levied by other immigrant-receiving nations. Canada is raising immigration objectives in order to boost post-pandemic growth and meet crucial labor shortages. This is fantastic news for Indians who wish to live in Canada since they are the single most significant source of immigrants to the country.
From 2002 until 2020, the IRCC did not raise permanent residency costs. After that, however, it was declared that fees would be raised every two years to account for inflation.
According to Canada’s immigration minister, it also contributes significantly to the Canadian economy. The cost of processing a permanent residence visa varies depending on the immigration program you choose. The following changes are applicable to principal applicants and their accompanying spouse or common-law partner:
| Program | Previous Fee | Updated Fee (April 2022) | Difference |
| Right of Permanent Residence | CAD 500 | CAD 515 | CAD 15 |
| Federal High Skilled | CAD 825 | CAD 850 | CAD 25 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | CAD 825 | CAD 850 | CAD 25 |
| Quebec Skilled Workers | CAD 825 | CAD 850 | CAD 25 |
| Atlantic Immigration Class | CAD 825 | CAD 850 | CAD 25 |
| Most Economic Pilots (Rural, AgriFood) | CAD 825 | CAD 850 | CAD 25 |
| Live-in Caregiver Program | CAD 550 | CAD 570 | CAD 20 |
| Caregivers Pilots | CAD 550 | CAD 570 | CAD 20 |
| Business category (Federal and Quebec Immigration Program) | CAD 1,625 | CAD 1,575 | CAD 50 |
| Family Reunification | CAD 475 | CAD 490 | CAD 15 |
| Protected Persons | CAD 550 | CAD 570 | CAD 20 |
| Humanitarian and Compassionate/Public Policy | CAD 550 | CAD 570 | CAD 20 |
| Permit Holders | CAD 325 | CAD 335 | CAD 10 |
For an accompanying dependent child, the changes are as follows:
| Program | Previous Fee | Updated Fee (April 2022) | Difference |
| Federal High Skilled | CAD 225 | CAD 230 | CAD 5 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | CAD 225 | CAD 230 | CAD 5 |
| Quebec Skilled Workers | CAD 225 | CAD 230 | CAD 5 |
| Atlantic Immigration Class | CAD 225 | CAD 230 | CAD 5 |
| Most Economic Pilots (Rural, AgriFood) | CAD 225 | CAD 230 | CAD 5 |
| Live-in Caregiver Program | CAD 150 | CAD 155 | CAD 5 |
| Caregivers Pilots | CAD 150 | CAD 155 | CAD 5 |
| Business category (Federal and Quebec Immigration Program) | CAD 225 | CAD 230 | CAD 5 |
| Family Reunification | CAD 150 | CAD 155 | CAD 5 |
| Protected Persons | CAD 150 | CAD 155 | CAD 5 |
| Humanitarian and Compassionate/Public Policy | CAD 150 | CAD 155 | CAD 5 |
Fees will stay the same for permanent resident cards, permanent resident travel papers, and certification or replacement immigration paperwork.
The charge for the right to permanent residency does not apply to:
- Sponsorship applications for adopted children
- Sponsorship applications for an orphaned brother, sister, niece, nephew, or grandchild
- Protected individuals, including applicants qualifying on humanitarian and compassionate grounds and convention refugees
Conclusion
These hikes are intended to keep Canada competitive and on par with rates levied by other immigrant-receiving countries. Fees in Canada are frequently lower than in nations with similar immigration procedures, such as Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The federal government has allocated $2.1 billion over five years and an ongoing $317.6 million in new financing in Budget 2022 as part of Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan to assist the processing and settlement of those applying for permanent residency in Canada.
