How Much Does It Cost To Immigrate To Canada: Globally, Canada is rated very high for having an excellent quality of life, a well-developed public education system, and access to healthcare. Canada was recently ranked second as the best country (overall) in the world by the U.S. News., dominating the rankings with high scores in the quality of life, citizenship and business categories. Some other important factors that make Canada an attractive country on the global stage are its multicultural population and welcoming immigration policies.
Moving to a new country is not only a huge life decision but also requires a substantial financial commitment. In this article, we will share the total cost breakdown for a few key types of applications – Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), a study permit, and a working holiday visa.
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How Much Does It Cost To Immigrate To Canada.
The amount of money you’ll need to immigrate to Canada varies significantly. Some immigration services do not require anything other than the application processing fees. Others necessitate a significant investment in Canada. Below, we’ll break it down by group.
Economic immigration: The majority of economic immigration categories need evidence that you will be able to support yourself financially during your resettlement in Canada. However, others do not. Economic immigration groups that do not need evidence of settlement funds usually require the applicant to have Canadian employment experience or a job offer in Canada. The reasoning is that since these candidates have already integrated into the Canadian workforce, they do not need funds for resettlement in Canada.
Business immigration: Any form of business immigration to Canada necessitates a substantial investment. It may be necessary for the applicant to have made an interest-free loan to the federal or provincial government or to have invested in a Canadian corporation.
In most situations, you do not have to provide financial details while sponsoring a spouse or minor child. If you’re sponsoring another family member, such as a parent or grandparent, you’ll need to meet a financial standard to be able to apply.
Humanitarian and refugee sponsorship: There are no financial conditions if you qualify on humanitarian or compassionate grounds. Only if the refugee is a privately funded applicant is financial information needed under this category of immigration. In that situation, the Canadian organization hosting the refugee must show that it has collected adequate funds to support the refugee candidate’s resettlement.
What are the Immigration Requirements for Canada?
The documents you’ll need for an immigration application are determined by the program you’re applying for. Some immigration services, for example, require Canadian expertise while others do not.
Identification/travel documents, educational records, evidence of work experience, financial history, and other documents are likely to be needed. To figure out which documentation you’ll need, you’ll need to figure out which immigration program is best for you!
What is the Quickest Way to Enter Canada?
Express Entry is the most expedient way to immigrate to Canada. Most Express Entry applications are processed in six months or less.
What is the maximum age for immigration to Canada?
Any Canadian immigration program does not have a clear age requirement. In most categories of economic immigration, however, applicants aged 25 to 35 earn the maximum number of points. That isn’t to say that older applicants can’t be chosen. Significant job experience, strong language skills, links to Canada, and advanced education can easily compensate for any points lost due to age in economic immigration. Since there is no rating system in place for family sponsorship and humanitarian and refugee immigration to Canada, there are no age restrictions.
Is it Easy to Move to Canada?
With over 80 immigration routes, Canada offers a variety of choices for all categories of applicants. Moving to a foreign nation, however, necessitates some effort. Some visa systems have more stringent requirements and need more documentation than others. Using the services of a Canadian immigration lawyer will significantly assist you in the entire immigration process.
Your application’s point of touch with the government is a Canadian immigration lawyer. They’ll take care of submitting your application and advising you on the documents you’ll need, which ones you should include, and which ones you shouldn’t.
Is a Job Offer Needed to Immigrate to Canada?
No, it’s not true. When they apply, the vast majority of permanent residents in Canada do not have a work offer. While some Canadian immigration programs require applicants to have a work offer in Canada, foreign nationals without a job offer in Canada can apply for a variety of programs and choices.
What is the concept of a Permanent Resident?
A permanent resident of Canada is a citizen of another country who has been given permission to live permanently in Canada. Once granted permanent resident status, an individual is free to live and work anywhere in the United States. Permanent residents enjoy a variety of advantages in Canada, including access to healthcare and social services, the freedom to live, work, and study anywhere in the country, and legal security. Permanent residents are also entitled to apply to become Canadian citizens after a certain period of time as a permanent resident! Permanent residents of Canada, for example, do not have the right to vote in Canadian elections.
Cost of applying for immigration to Canada through Express Entry and the PNP
Generally speaking, as an individual applicant you would need approximately $15,500 CAD to immigrate to Canada. Couples would need around $21,000 CAD while families with children will require between $25,000 to $30,000 CAD. The table below provides a detailed breakdown of expected immigration costs.
Fee Type | Notes | Individual | Couple | Couple + 1 Child | Couple + 2 Children |
Language tests (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF) | Average cost. | 300 | 600 | 600 | 600 |
Educational Credential Evaluation (ECA) | Cost excluding international courier delivery charges. | 200 | 400 | 400 | 400 |
Biometrics | Charges for 2 or more people remain the same provided all members are applying at the same time and place. | 85 | 170 | 170 | 170 |
Medical exams | Average cost; fee varies by country. | 100 | 200 | 300 | 400 |
Application processing fee | 825 | 1,650 | 1,875 | 2,100 | |
Right of permanent residence fee | 500 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | |
Miscellaneous fees (police certificate, transcripts, courier delivery, photos, notaries, translations, etc.) | Average (assumed) cost. | 250 | 500 | 600 | 700 |
Settlement funds | Not applicable for Canadian Experience Class (CEC). | 13,213 | 16,449 | 20,222 | 24,553 |
TOTAL | 15,473 | 20,969 | 25,167 | 29,923 |
Those applying through the PNP, are required to pay additional application fees based on the province they are applying to. Here is an overview of the provincial fees:
Notes
- Quebec has an independent immigration program for skilled workers.
- The territories – Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon have provincial nominee programs driven by business or employer job offer streams.
The figures outlined here only include the cost of filing an immigration application. In addition to these costs, you will need to budget for your flight, accommodation, and other living expenses.
Cost of applying for a Canadian study permit for international students.
Unlike the Express Entry or PNP, calculating the total cost of applying for a student permit is slightly complex as universities and colleges have different application fees. You must be accepted into a Canadian Designated Learning Institution in order to be able to apply for a study permit. Here’s a broad overview of the costs you can expect:
Fee Type | Cost per individual ($ CAD) |
University/college application fees: These are processing fees charged by the university. This fee is non-refundable irrespective of whether or not you get accepted. Note that some colleges don’t charge an application fee. | Ranges between 100 to 500 |
Study permit application fee | 150 |
Biometrics fee | Individual: 85 2 or more people applying at the same time and place: 170 |
Language testing (if required) | Average cost: 300 |
Medical exams (if required) | Fee varies by country. Average cost: 100 |
Miscellaneous expenses (police certificate, transcripts, courier delivery, photos, notaries, translations, etc.) | Average (assumed) cost: 250 |
Tuition fees | Varies by programs/courses and the college or university you enrol at. Average annual tuition 2024/2025: |
Health insurance | 600 to 1,000 |
Funds to support your stay and/or a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) | All provinces except Quebec: 10,000 per year. In Quebec: 11,000 per year More details available on the government of Canada website. |
- To learn more about the application process for a student permit, see Study Permit: Moving to Canada as an international student and How to apply for a Canadian student permit through the Student Direct Stream (SDS).
- Use the RBC Student Budget Calculator to estimate your accommodation and living expenses in Canada.
Cost of applying for a International Experience Canada (IEC) – Working Holiday Visa for Canada.
IEC allows eligible individuals to apply for a Working Holiday Visa. To apply through this program, youth from over 30 countries can apply to live and work in Canada. These are countries that have an agreement with Canada for allowing its citizens to apply for an IEC work permit. The permits are valid for either 12 or 24 months, depending on your country of citizenship. More details about this program are available on the Government website.
Here is an overview of some of the fees for the working holiday visa:
Fee Type | Cost ($ CAD) |
IEC participation fee | 156 |
Open work permit holder fee | 100 |
Biometrics fee | 85 |
Medical exam (if required) | Fee varies by country. Average cost: 100 |
Minimum funds to support your stay | 2,500 |
Health insurance | Starts from approximately 400 per year, varies by coverage amount and deductible. |
Having sufficient finances to support your application process as well as life in Canada is an essential factor while you apply to immigrate. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the limits set by the Canadian government so you can plan your move with confidence.
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