Canada Raises Key Immigration Fees. Canada has officially increased several major immigration fees effective December 1, 2025, impacting applicants dealing with inadmissibility issues, restoration of status, and the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. Anyone who submitted an online application and paid before midnight on December 1 is safe from the new prices. However, many paper-based applicants may now owe additional fees, and IRCC will contact them with payment instructions.
These new changes reflect Canada ongoing effort to modernize immigration processing, manage higher application volumes, and adjust costs after updates to the Motor Vehicle Ordinance. Below is the complete breakdown of all new fees, rules, and next steps for affected applicants.
Higher Fees for Inadmissibility Applications
IRCC has applied the biggest increases to inadmissibility-related applications, which include ARC, TRP, and criminal rehabilitation.
Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC)
- New Fee: $492.50
This applies to people previously removed from Canada who now seek permission to re-enter.
Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)
- New Fee: $246.25
A TRP allows individuals who are otherwise inadmissible to enter or remain in Canada temporarily.
Criminal Rehabilitation Fees Increased
The new fees for rehabilitation applications are:
- Regular criminality: $798.00
- Serious criminality: $1,231.00
These increases come after a surge in applications linked to recent legislative amendments involving driving-related offences.
Restoration of Temporary Resident Status
- New Fee: $246.25 (visitors, students, and workers)
This applies when a foreign national loses their temporary status and needs to regain it.
Restoration of Status Rules Remain the Same
Even with the new fees, the restoration rules have not changed.
Anyone who loses their temporary visitor, student, or worker status still has:
90 days to apply for restoration
The updated fee applies whether they are requesting restoration alone or restoration plus a new permit.
IEC Work Permit Fee Also Increased
The International Experience Canada (IEC) program has also seen a fee adjustment.
- Old Fee: $179.75
- New Fee: $184.75
IRCC has confirmed that:
- IEC 2025 pools are closed, and
- New applications will be accepted when the IEC 2026 season opens.
Applicants Who Paid Old Fees Must Pay the Difference
IRCC will notify applicants who mailed their applications before the fee increase. To complete their file, they must:
- Calculate the fee difference
- Pay it using IRCC’s “Make an additional payment or pay other fees” tool
- Upload or send the payment receipt as instructed
Applicants may pay the difference in one or multiple transactions, and each will generate a separate receipt.
Fee Changes at a Glance
| Application Type | Old Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Authorization to Return to Canada | N/A | $492.50 |
| Temporary Resident Permit | ~ $200.00 | $246.25 |
| Criminal Rehabilitation (regular) | ~ $573.00 | $798.00 |
| Criminal Rehabilitation (serious) | ~ $883.00 | $1,231.00 |
| Restoration of Status | ~ $200.00 | $246.25 |
| IEC Work Permit Fee | $179.75 | $184.75 |
What This Means for Applicants
These changes majorly impact individuals dealing with inadmissibility or status restoration. Online applicants who paid before the deadline remain unaffected, but paper-based applicants must act quickly to avoid delays. Anyone planning to apply now must use the updated fee schedule to prevent application returns or processing issues.
Conclusion
Canada’s latest immigration fee increase affects several key application categories, especially inadmissibility files and IEC work permits. Applicants must follow IRCC instructions carefully and ensure any outstanding payments are completed. Staying updated on the new fee structure will help avoid delays and keep applications moving smoothly.
