It’s an arduous and expensive process to work and live abroad, especially if you are a Canadian citizen. Neither Citizenship nor Immigration Canada makes it easy for any person who wants to live and work in Canada. Considering all the steps involved in applying for a federal work permit, finding documents, gathering information about occupational standards, researching for the best industries to apply for jobs is time consuming, expensive and unnecessary altogether. Information about how much does it cost to apply for a work permit in Canada is not readily available and this article will guide you through the steps of figuring out how much it costs to apply for a work permit in Canada.
How Much Does It Cost To Apply For A Work Permit In Canada
The good news is that Canada has recently relaxed its requirements for who qualifies for a work permit. So it’s now quite feasible for nearly anyone to visit, or live and work in Canada for a period of time. If you’re wondering how much does it cost to apply for a work permit in Canada, use the tool below to get an estimate.Beginning in December 2011, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) started accepting applications for the new Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program. This program is similar to the old Working Holiday Program, but is geared towards those who wish to come to Canada with the hope of obtaining permanent residency rather than only working here until they had saved enough money to be able to travel back home.
Canadian Immigration Processing Fees
A standard set by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), government processing fees must be submitted along with most visa applications. These fees are the same regardless of your nationality or country of origin.
The government processing fees for a permanent or temporary resident visa will depend on the number family of members that are accompanying the principal applicant, and are separate from any fees paid to an authorized representative, such as an attorney. Please note these fees are subject to change by IRCC without notice.
Permanent Residence Fees
Permanent residence fees vary from program to program, depending on the immigration stream to which you apply. Applicants should note that once their application has been approved, they will be required to submit a payment for the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, a separate fee that must be paid by all approved applicants, regardless of which program they apply under.
Business Immigration Processing Fees
Those wishing to immigrate to Canada via the Investor, Entrepreneur, or Self-Employed streams of immigration must pay the following processing fees:
| Applicant | Processing fee in $ CAD |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant | $1,625 |
| Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner | Add $850 |
| A dependent child under the age of 22 or a dependent over the age of 22 who is unable to support themselves financially due to a physical or mental condition | Add $230 per dependent |
| Last updated May 10, 2022 |
Note: Those applying to certain provincial immigration programs may have to pay additional processing fees as determined by the provincial immigration authority.
Economic Immigration Processing Fees
The following processing fees apply to:
- Quebec Skilled Workers
- Provincial Nominee Programs
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot
- Federal Skilled Trades
- Federal Skilled Workers
- Canadian Experience Class
| Application | Processing fee in $ CAD |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant (Processing fee and right of permanent residence fee) | $1365 |
| Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner (with right of permanent residence fee) | $1365 |
| A dependent child under the age of 22 who is not a spouse or common-law/conjugal partner, or a dependent over the age of 22 who is unable to support themselves financially due to a physical or mental condition | Add $230 each per dependent |
| Last updated May 10, 2022 |
Note: Those applying to certain provincial immigration programs may have to pay additional processing fees as determined by the provincial immigration authority.
Family Sponsorship Processing Fees
Permanent residents wishing to sponsor their family to Canada will be required to pay the following fees:
| Application | Processing fee in $ CAD |
|---|---|
| Spousal and dependent child sponsorship | |
| Spouse or common-law partner (with sponsorship fee, principal applicant fee, and right to permanent residence fee) | $1080 |
| Dependent child | Add $155 per child |
| Parent or grandparent sponsorship | |
| Parent or grandparent (with sponsorship fee, principal applicant fee, and right to permanent residence fee) | $1080 |
| Spouse or common-law partner of your parent or grandparent | $1080 |
| Dependent children of your parent or grandparent | $155 |
| Last updated May 10, 2022 |
Note: Those applying to certain provincial immigration programs may have to pay additional processing fees as determined by the provincial immigration authority.
Right of Permanent Residence Fee
The fees listed above do not include the $500 Right of Permanent Residence fee (RPFR), which must be paid once an application for permanent residence has been approved. This fee applies to all applicants and/or sponsored persons who are not dependent children or protected persons. The RPFR may be paid along with with required processing fees at the time of applying to avoid delays. In the event an application for permanent residence is denied and the applicant has prepaid the RPFR, this fee will be refunded. Note that all other processing fees are non-refundable.
Citizenship Processing Fees
If you or a family member are ready to embark on the final step of your immigration journey to obtain Canadian citizenship, you will be subject to the following fees:
| Application | Processing fee in $ CAD |
|---|---|
| Adult aged 18 and older | $630 per person |
| Adopted minor (18 and under) | $100 per person |
| Minor (18 and under) | $100 per person |