Canada: permanent residence application fees rise — check IRCC before you pay

What is changing IRCC is increasing permanent residence application fees effective 30 April 2026, as part of its published forward regulatory plan. The exact amounts sit on the official fee list — you should not rely on a blog (including this one) for the number the day you pay. Who it affects Anyone submitting a new permanent residence application, or who has not yet paid a required fee that is set to change, should check whether the new schedule applies. This is especially relevant for Pakistani applicants in Express Entry, family class, and other PR streams who are finalising an application in late April 2026. What you should do • Open the current IRCC fee schedule and note the "effective date" line for your stream. • If you are a few days from submitting and the increase is material, understand whether paying before 30 April (where the rules allow) changes your case — in many systems only the date of application submission matters, not the date of fee selection; your RCIC or lawyer can confirm for your specific situation. • Do not make irreversible travel or job decisions based on rumour. If someone tells you to "rush" without citing IRCC, treat that as a red flag. Safe message This is a fee and timing hygiene issue, not a change to whether you are eligible. Budget for the updated amounts and keep proof of payment with your file. Sources: IRCC forward regulatory plan and current fee list on canada.ca. Secondary reporting (e.g. CIC News, April 2026) summarises the timing — always verify against IRCC.