Canada raises key Immigration Fees

MELBROUNE: Canada has increased a number of its immigration fees, effective December 1, 2025. The largest increases pertain to inadmissibility applications and the International Experience Canada work permit.

Applicants who applied online and paid before midnight on December 1 are not subject to the increased fee. Paper applicants will have to pay the difference, for which IRCC will contact them directly for processing.

Canada has given its latest fee update, which includes significant changes for those applicants for whom inadmissibility issues or IEC work permit applications are in process. Affected clients must follow any instructions given by IRCC to pay outstanding fees.

Higher Fees for Inadmissibility Applications

IRCC has raised fees across multiple categories:

• Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC): now $492.50
• Temporary Resident Permit (TRP): now $246.25

• Regular criminality: $798.00
• Serious criminality: $1,231.00

Restoration of Temporary Resident Status: now $246.25 for visitors, students, and workers

These adjustments follow increased application volumes after amendments to the Motor Vehicle Ordinance.

Restoration of Status Rules Unchanged

Foreign nationals who lose their temporary status still have 90 days to apply for restoration. The new fees apply whether or not they request a new permit at the same time.

IEC Work Permit Fee Also Increased

• The IEC work permit processing fee has risen from $179.75 to $184.75.
• The IEC 2025 pools are now closed, and new profiles will be accepted when the 2026 season opens.

Applicants Who Paid Old Fees Must Pay the Difference

IRCC will notify applicants who mailed their applications before the fee update. To complete payment, applicants must:

1. Pay through IRCC’s “Make an additional payment or pay other fees” tool
2. Upload or send the receipt as directed
3. Applicants can pay in one transaction or in multiple payments, each generating a separate receipt.

Fee Changes at a Glance