India has traditionally been the top source country of new permanent residents in Canada. Permanent residency is akin to a green card in the US and provides a pathway to Canadian citizenship.
Shortly, individuals aspiring to be Canadian permanent residents will have to pay higher fees – the hikes are approximately 12% across key immigration programs and the new fees apply up to the period March 2026.This biennial fee adjustment is meant to align with inflation rates and the fee schedule will be updated as of April 30.
According to an official gazette issued by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, the ‘right of permanent residence fee’ stands increased to Canadian Dollars (CAD) 575 from the existing CAD 515, a hike of around 12%. This fee is payable at the time of application for permanent residence; however, dependent children are exempt.
The application fees also stand increased for various permanent residency immigration programs including the Federal Skilled Worker Program (which falls under the Express Entry module) and is very popular for Indians aspiring to immigrate to Canada. Fees for the Provincial Nominee Program, which may see increased focused in 2024 and beyond and others like Quebec Skilled Workers Program, Atlantic Immigration class and most economic pilot programs will also see a rise. The fee hike in all these cases is from CAD 850 to CAD 950, the same fee rate also applies to an accompanying spouse or common law partner. For accompanying dependent children, the fee will see a revision from CAD 230 to CAD 260.
During 2022, 1.18 lakh Indians became permanent residents of Canada, which was 27% of the total new permanent residents admitted during this year. In contrast, while China was the second largest source country, only 31,841 Chinese (7%) were admitted as new permanent residents. While the full data set for 2023 is not available, according to immigration experts, the strained relationship between the two countries saw a significant decline in applications from India.
Permanent resident fees under the family reunification program (which covers spouses/partners and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives) are also set to increase. The sponsorship fee stands increased from CAD 75 to CAD 85. There are variations in the application fees, which for the principal applicant stands increased to CAD 545 from the existing CAD 490.
Canada unveils its immigration target levels each year, giving a three-year projection of the number of permanent residents that will be admitted each year. Recently, Marc Miller, immigration minister had said, “Starting this fall, for the first time, we will expand the immigration levels plan, to include both temporary resident arrivals and permanent resident arrivals.”
As per the immigration target levels announced last November, Canada seeks to welcome 4.85 lakh new permanent residents in 2024 and 5 lakh in 2025 (the numbers remain the same as those announced in the 2023-2025 plan). The number of new permanent residents is then set to plateau at 5 lakh in 2026.
Shortly, individuals aspiring to be Canadian permanent residents will have to pay higher fees – the hikes are approximately 12% across key immigration programs and the new fees apply up to the period March 2026.This biennial fee adjustment is meant to align with inflation rates and the fee schedule will be updated as of April 30.
According to an official gazette issued by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, the ‘right of permanent residence fee’ stands increased to Canadian Dollars (CAD) 575 from the existing CAD 515, a hike of around 12%. This fee is payable at the time of application for permanent residence; however, dependent children are exempt.
The application fees also stand increased for various permanent residency immigration programs including the Federal Skilled Worker Program (which falls under the Express Entry module) and is very popular for Indians aspiring to immigrate to Canada. Fees for the Provincial Nominee Program, which may see increased focused in 2024 and beyond and others like Quebec Skilled Workers Program, Atlantic Immigration class and most economic pilot programs will also see a rise. The fee hike in all these cases is from CAD 850 to CAD 950, the same fee rate also applies to an accompanying spouse or common law partner. For accompanying dependent children, the fee will see a revision from CAD 230 to CAD 260.
During 2022, 1.18 lakh Indians became permanent residents of Canada, which was 27% of the total new permanent residents admitted during this year. In contrast, while China was the second largest source country, only 31,841 Chinese (7%) were admitted as new permanent residents. While the full data set for 2023 is not available, according to immigration experts, the strained relationship between the two countries saw a significant decline in applications from India.
Permanent resident fees under the family reunification program (which covers spouses/partners and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives) are also set to increase. The sponsorship fee stands increased from CAD 75 to CAD 85. There are variations in the application fees, which for the principal applicant stands increased to CAD 545 from the existing CAD 490.
Canada unveils its immigration target levels each year, giving a three-year projection of the number of permanent residents that will be admitted each year. Recently, Marc Miller, immigration minister had said, “Starting this fall, for the first time, we will expand the immigration levels plan, to include both temporary resident arrivals and permanent resident arrivals.”
As per the immigration target levels announced last November, Canada seeks to welcome 4.85 lakh new permanent residents in 2024 and 5 lakh in 2025 (the numbers remain the same as those announced in the 2023-2025 plan). The number of new permanent residents is then set to plateau at 5 lakh in 2026.