PR Application Cost Breakdown 2026: Every Fee from Start to Card
The headline number for a single Express Entry applicant in 2026: about CAD $2,400 in IRCC fees, plus $500–$800 for the medical exam, biometrics and police certificates. A couple with one dependent child should plan for roughly CAD $5,200 all-in. PNP applicants add another $0–$2,000 in provincial fees on top.
Cost is one of the biggest unknowns for newcomers. IRCC's fee page lists every charge but scatters them across multiple pages and PDFs. This guide pulls them into one table by application stage and adult/child split, so you can build a realistic budget before you file. All figures are from the IRCC fee schedule as of April 2026.
Federal IRCC Fees (Express Entry / PNP / Family Class)
| Fee | Per adult | Per dependent child | When paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR application processing | $950 | $260 | At submission |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | $575 | — | At submission or pre-COPR |
| Biometrics — single | $85 | $85 | After biometrics letter |
| Biometrics — family cap | $170 max for 2+ family members | After biometrics letter | |
| Sponsorship fee (family class only) | $85 | — | At submission |
A single Express Entry applicant pays $950 + $575 + $85 = $1,610 in IRCC fees. A couple is $3,135; a couple with one child is $3,395 (using the family biometrics cap of $170).
Required Third-Party Costs
These aren't paid to IRCC, but they're mandatory for your file to be complete.
| Item | Typical cost (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront medical exam (per person) | $200–$450 | Set by IRCC-approved panel physician; varies by country |
| Police certificate (per country) | $30–$120 | Required for every country you've lived in for 6+ months since age 18 |
| Translations (per document) | $30–$80 | Certified translator required if document is not in English or French |
| Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) | $200–$315 | Mandatory for Express Entry — WES, IQAS, ICAS, ICES, MCC, or PEBC |
| Language test (IELTS / CELPIP / TEF) | $300–$400 | Re-testing common — budget for one retake |
| Passport photos (IRCC spec) | $15–$25 | Per person, sometimes refused — get extras |
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Fees
Most PNPs charge a separate processing fee on top of federal IRCC fees. These are paid directly to the province, not to IRCC.
| Province | Fee (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario (OINP) | $1,500–$2,000 | Tiered by stream; Employer Job Offer streams highest |
| British Columbia (BC PNP) | $1,150 | Skilled Worker, International Graduate |
| Alberta (AAIP) | $680 | Most streams |
| Saskatchewan (SINP) | $350 | All streams |
| Manitoba (MPNP) | $500 | All streams |
| Atlantic (NB, NS, PEI, NL) | $0–$250 | Many streams free; AIP free at provincial stage |
Worked Examples (All-In)
Single Express Entry applicant (CEC stream, no PNP)
- IRCC fees: $1,610
- Medical: $350
- Police certificates (1 country): $60
- ECA: $250
- Language test: $325
- Photos + translations: $40
- Total: ~$2,635
Couple with one dependent child (Express Entry, no PNP)
- IRCC fees: $3,395
- Medicals (3 people): $1,050
- Police certificates (2 adults, 1 country each): $120
- ECAs (2 adults): $500
- Language tests (2 adults): $650
- Photos + translations: $120
- Total: ~$5,835
Single applicant via Ontario PNP
- IRCC fees: $1,610
- OINP processing: $1,500
- Medical, police, ECA, language: ~$1,025
- Total: ~$4,135
Costs That Show Up After PR Approval
- PR card replacement / first issue if separate: $50
- Provincial health card: free, but Ontario, BC, and Quebec have a 1–3 month waiting period — budget ~$100/month for private bridge insurance
- Driver's licence exchange: $75–$160 depending on province
- SIN replacement card: $0 (free)
- Citizenship application later: $630 per adult, $100 per minor (after meeting the 1,095-day physical presence requirement)
How to Lower Your Total Cost
- Pay RPRF later — defer the $575 until COPR if cash is tight at submission
- Use family biometrics cap — submit together, not separately, to cap biometrics at $170 for 2+ people
- Pick a province with lower PNP fees if you're flexible on location (Saskatchewan, Atlantic provinces)
- Skip the ECA if you studied at a Canadian institution — your Canadian credential is automatically recognized
- Get extra passport photos in one sitting — IRCC photo rejections cost a week each
Tools That Help
Use the CRS Calculator to estimate your Express Entry score before paying for an ECA or language test. The Express Entry Tracker shows recent draw scores so you can decide whether your file is competitive. If you're applying from a study permit, the PGWP Calculator tells you how long your bridge work permit will be — and the Citizenship Calculator helps you plan the next milestone after PR.
For the official fee schedule, refer to IRCC's Government of Canada immigration fees page. Provincial PNP fees should be verified on each province's immigration site before applying.
Editorial disclaimer
This article is published by LoonieLabs for general information only. It is not financial, tax, legal, accounting, or immigration advice and must not be relied on as such. Rules, dollar figures, interest rates, and program eligibility change — always verify with the Canada Revenue Agency, IRCC, or a qualified professional before acting. Spotted an error? See our corrections policy. Last reviewed: April 18, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Written and reviewed by Shrey Patel — Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Winnipeg, MB · Fact-checked by our Immigration reviewer · Last reviewed April 18, 2026 · LinkedIn
Founder of LoonieLabs · based in Winnipeg, MB · writes and reviews every page on the site I oversee every figure on this page personally — verified against primary sources (CRA, IRCC, Statistics Canada, the Bank of Canada, or the originating provincial ministry). LoonieLabs has no affiliate relationships with any bank, credit card, or immigration consultant featured on this site. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Published by the LoonieLabs Editorial Team.