Introduction
Canada attracts many hopeful immigrants every year. Getting permanent residence (PR) can be their key to residence and work opportunities. Canada has many immigration programs to choose from to qualify for permanent residency.
In a recent release by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, there is expected to be a biennial increase in permanent residence application fees.
The increase in fees will become effective April 30, 2024. This marks the second increase in two years, following an adjustment last April 2022. The increase will be based on a cumulative percentage based on Canada’s consumer price index (CPI) published by Statistics Canada.
Reasons for the Fee Increase
The fee increase is a routine update that happens every two years. The purpose of this is to address the rising program costs with processing applications and inflation. The amount of increase is tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is the measure of the average change in costs of goods and services Canadians consume.
What to Do If You Are Applying
Permanent residence candidates who want to avoid paying the increased fees, and applicants with applications pending submission should aim to submit prior to the increase on April 30, 2024. Certain categories of applicants such as humanitarian and compassionate categories as well and public policy categories may be exempt from paying the right of permanent residence fees in some circumstances.
Conclusion
To keep abreast with these and other changes in Canadian immigration rules and policies, and you can find the most up-to-date fees information from the IRCC website. For personalized guidance to stay ahead of the changes and on track to meeting your Canadian dreams, book a consultation with one of our licensed immigration professionals.
The Team at Northern Connections Canada
