Effective December 1, 2024, Canada will introduce higher application and processing fees for various temporary resident applications, impacting visitors, students, and workers seeking to enter or extend their stay in the country. This change will also affect applications for restoring temporary resident status, authorization to return to Canada, criminal rehabilitation for serious criminality, and Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs).
While Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has yet to disclose the revised fee amounts, applicants are advised to prepare for the increase and ensure they pay the correct fee when submitting their applications.
Applications Affected by the Fee Increase
The fee adjustments will apply to the following categories:
- Restoration of temporary resident status for visitors, students, and workers.
- Authorization to return to Canada.
- Criminal rehabilitation, including for serious criminality.
- Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs).
Important Notes for Applicants
Online Applications
When submitting an application online, the payment is processed immediately. Applicants must verify that they have paid the correct fee before submission to avoid delays.
Mailed Applications
For mailed applications, a delay may occur between the time an application is sent and when it is received by IRCC. If the fees change during this period, IRCC will generally not reject the application provided:
- The application was complete.
- The old fee was paid.
- The application was mailed before the fee adjustment took effect.
In such cases, IRCC will contact the applicant with instructions to pay the difference between the old and new fees.
How to Pay the Fee Difference
Applicants who paid the old fees must follow these steps to pay the additional amount:
Calculate the Difference: Determine the difference between the old and new fees, including for each family member, if applicable.
Make the Payment: Visit the “Make an additional payment or pay other fees” section in IRCC’s online payment tool.
Enter the Amount: Under the “Quantity” field, input the total fee difference. Applicants will receive a receipt for each payment and can complete all payments in one transaction or separately.
Submit the Receipt: Follow the instructions provided by IRCC in the payment request to submit the receipt.
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