On December 1, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will implement increased application and processing fees for various temporary resident applications aimed at extending status or entering Canada. These changes apply to several key applications, including those for visitors, workers, and students.
Applications Affected by the Fee Increase
Starting December 1, the fees will rise for several categories of applications such as:
- Restoration of temporary resident status (for visitors, workers, and students)
- Authorization to return to Canada
- Criminal rehabilitation applications (including serious criminality cases)
- Temporary Resident Permit (“TRP”)
Though the updated fees are yet to be announced by IRCC, applicants should anticipate these adjustments.
Current Application Fees
At present, the fees for the different application types are:
- Restoration of visitor status: CAD $229.00
- Restoration of student status: CAD $379.00
- Restoration of worker status: CAD $384.00
- Authorization to return to Canada: CAD $459.55
- Inadmissible due to criminality: CAD $229.77
- Inadmissible due to serious criminality: CAD $1,148.87
- Temporary Resident Permit (“TRP”): CAD $229.77
Impact on Applicants Who Paid Old Fees
For applicants who have already paid the old fee rate prior to the increase and submitted a complete application, there is generally no cause for concern over any changes in fees:
- Applicants who apply online promptly receive their applications, reducing issues related to fee discrepancies.
- Applicants who mail their applications may encounter delays from dispatch to IRCC’s receipt. However, if they paid the full old fee before the change and submitted a complete application before December 1, IRCC is unlikely to reject their application due to fee alterations.
- If IRCC requires additional payment after a fee adjustment, they will instruct applicants on how to submit the revised amount.
Paying the Fee Difference on an IRCC Application After a Fee Change
If you submitted an IRCC application on paper and your application fee changed after you initially submitted your payment, you might need to pay the difference. Below is a guide on how to handle this situation:
- Calculating the Fee Difference
First, determine the amount you need to pay by calculating the difference between the original fee and the new fee. Ensure you include any additional fees required for family members included in your application.
- Making the Payment
To pay the fee difference, navigate to IRCC’s online payment tool and select the option labeled “Make an additional payment or pay other fees.” Under “Quantity,” enter the total amount of the fee difference, which is calculated as the new fee minus the old fee. You will receive one receipt for each payment transaction. If necessary, repeat transactions for multiple receipts. To proceed with payment, either create a new IRCC account or sign in to your existing account.
- Submitting the Receipt
Once you’ve made your payment, refer to the specific instructions provided in the initial request from IRCC outlining how to submit your receipt properly. It is essential to ensure compliance with these instructions to avoid delays in processing your application.
