Permanent residence application fees for all PR applications have increased as of April 30, 2022. In 2020, the IRCC increased PR application fees for the first time since 2002 and announced that fees would increase every 2 years for inflation. On April 30, 2022, spousal PR application fees increased to $1,080 from $1,050. PR application fees for skilled workers, including Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program, increased to $1,365 from $1,325. The biometrics fee, which is usually required for PR applications, remains the same at $85.
Payment of insufficient or incorrect fees is one of the most common mistakes people make on immigration applications. The complete list of IRCC fees can be found on the IRCC’s website. For example, the biometrics fee is commonly overlooked and can result in processing delays or refusals. It is always a good idea to check if biometrics are required for the immigration application you are submitting.
If in doubt, it is better to err on the side of overpaying the fees rather than underpaying. If an application is submitted with insufficient fees, the IRCC with return the application to you without processing it, and you will have to reapply. If you overpay, the IRCC will process the application and automatically issue a refund for the overpaid amount.
For spousal PR applications, I usually recommend that you pay the Right of Permanent Residence fee at the time of submission. This is because the wait period for BC MSP coverage begins on the date that all three of the Sponsorship fee, the PR Processing fee, and the Right of Permanent Residence fee have been paid.
For a complete table of the new PR application fees in effect as of April 30, 2022, please visit the IRCC’s website.