areeba iqbal
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revealed plans to adjust the fees for permanent residence (PR) applications, effective from 9:00 AM Eastern Time on April 30, 2024. These changes impact a range of applicants, including skilled workers, caregivers, business people, and families looking to reunite in Canada.
The adjustment in fees aligns with Canada’s Immigrant and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) and reflects the inflation rates reported by Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index. This means the fees are calculated based on the cost of living increase in Canada.
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Who Will Be Affected?
Several groups will see changes in the application fees they need to pay. Here’s a breakdown of the adjustments:
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee:
This fee will increase from $515 to $575 for the principal applicant and their spouse or common-law partner.
- Skilled Workers and Economic Pilots:
Fees for the principal applicant in programs like the Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, and others will rise from $850 to $950. Similarly, fees for spouses, partners, and dependent children are also going up.
- Caregivers:
Those applying under the Live-in Caregiver Program and other caregiving pilots will see the principal applicant fee increase from $570 to $635. The same increase applies to their spouses and dependent children.
- Business Immigration:
Business applicants will experience a fee rise from $1,625 to $1,810 for the principal applicant, with accompanying family members seeing an increase to $950 from $850.
- Family Reunification:
Families looking to reunite in Canada will now pay $85 instead of $75 for sponsorship fees. Other increases include fees for principal applicants and dependent children.
- Protected Persons and Humanitarian Grounds:
Applicants under these categories will see a new fee of $635 for principal applicants, up from $570. This fee adjustment also affects accompanying family members.
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Exemptions and Special Conditions
Despite these increases, IRCC has noted that certain applicants will remain exempt from the Right of Permanent Residence Fee. These include:
- Children under 22 years old who are not married or in a common-law relationship, under the family reunification class.
- Applicants applying under humanitarian and compassionate grounds, as well as those applying through public policy considerations.
Moreover, individuals applying as “permit holders” cannot include family members in their PR applications and must each apply separately.
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What Does This Mean for Applicants?
The fee increase is a significant development for prospective permanent residents of Canada. It reflects the need to adjust for economic changes but also adds an additional financial burden on applicants. Those planning to apply should consider these new costs when budgeting for their immigration process.
As always, potential applicants should stay informed about the latest updates from IRCC and plan their application submission accordingly to avoid any surprises. The updated fee structure is an important factor in the planning phase of your immigration journey to Canada.
For more detailed information, applicants are encouraged to visit the official IRCC website or consult with immigration professionals to understand how these changes may impact their specific circumstances.