Express Entry Cost Total From the Philippines: Full Breakdown

Express Entry is not free. Between credential evaluations, language tests, government fees, medical exams, and settlement funds, a single Filipino applicant's checked estimate is approximately CAD 2,500-3,500 (PHP 102,500-143,500 at CAD 1 = PHP 41) before landing, excluding settlement funds. For a family of three, add dependent fees and family medical and police-clearance costs using the current figures below. Here is every cost, in the order you will pay them.

Pre-Application Costs

These fees are paid before you create your Express Entry profile or receive an ITA.

Government Fees After Invitation to Apply

Once you receive your ITA and submit a full application, IRCC charges mandatory processing fees.

The adult total below includes the RPRF where it applies.

For each dependent child, the PR processing fee is CAD 270 and the RPRF is waived. Biometrics cost CAD 85 per applicant, capped at CAD 170 for a family applying together.

Family of three (two adults, one child):

• Two adults' PR fees: CAD 3,180 (PHP 130,380)
• One child: CAD 270 (PHP 11,070)
• Family biometrics cap: CAD 170 (PHP 6,970)
• Total government fees: CAD 3,620 (PHP 148,420)

Medical and Biometric Costs in the Philippines

Medical results are valid for 12 months and transmitted directly to IRCC via the eMedical system. Exams are conducted at St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic in Manila (Ermita) or Taguig (BGC).

Police Clearance Costs

If you were an OFW in multiple countries, budget PHP 5,000-15,000 for police clearances alone.

Settlement Funds (Proof of Funds)

You must show you have these amounts available in liquid, unencumbered funds. This is not a fee — you keep the money — but you need to have it in your bank account.

The proof of funds requirement is waived if you are currently authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.

Total Out-of-Pocket Summary

Single applicant (no OFW police clearances):

• Pre-application: PHP 23,000-28,000
• Government fees + medical + biometrics: approximately PHP 81,945 for one adult before police and courier costs
• Checked estimate: approximately CAD 2,500-3,500 (PHP 102,500-143,500), depending on documents, medical costs and other requirements

Family of three (two adults, one child, one OFW PCC):

• Pre-application (x2 adults): PHP 50,000
• Government fees: CAD 3,620 (PHP 148,420), including the family biometrics cap
• Medical exams: PHP 30,000 or more depending on ages
• Additional police clearances: PHP 8,000 or more depending on countries
• Total: calculate from the current family size, medical ages and country-specific police-clearance requirements

These figures exclude settlement funds (which you retain), airfare to Canada, and initial housing costs.

Hidden Costs to Budget For

• IELTS retake if you fall short of CLB 9: PHP 12,000
• WES rush processing upgrade: PHP 1,600
• NNAS assessment for nurses: CAD 750 (PHP 30,750)
• Courier fees (documents to WES Toronto): PHP 2,000-3,000
• Name correction affidavits (if needed): PHP 500-1,500
• NCLEX-RN exam for nurses: approximately USD 200 (PHP 11,500) plus potential "testing tourism" travel costs of USD 500-1,000

Comparing Express Entry Cost to Alternatives

For context, here is what other Canada immigration pathways cost:

RCIC immigration consultant: PHP 85,000-280,000 on top of the same government fees. A consultant does not reduce any IRCC or medical fees — they add to your total.

Study-then-immigrate pathway: One year of Canadian college tuition runs CAD 15,000-25,000 (PHP 615,000-1,025,000), plus living expenses. Express Entry from overseas is dramatically cheaper.

Provincial Nominee Programs (paper-based): Similar government fees to Express Entry, plus a provincial application fee (CAD 250-1,500 depending on province). If you go through the Express Entry-linked PNP stream, costs are essentially the same as Express Entry.

Payment Timeline Strategy

You do not need all the money upfront. The costs spread naturally across 8-14 months:

Months 1-3: IELTS fee (PHP 12,000) + WES fee (PHP 11,000) + CHED/DFA/university fees (PHP 2,000) = approximately PHP 25,000

Months 4-5: No major costs while waiting for WES results and monitoring draws

Month 6 (after ITA): IRCC processing fee + RPRF + biometrics = approximately PHP 68,675 for one adult; family amounts vary and the family biometrics cap is CAD 170

Month 7: Medical exam = PHP 13,000-30,000 depending on family size

This distribution means you can save incrementally while the early phases process. Start the WES and IELTS when you have PHP 25,000 available, then build toward the larger IRCC fees over the following months.

The Philippines to Canada Express Entry Guide includes a detailed budget planner with a month-by-month payment schedule so you can spread costs across 8-14 months instead of facing large lump sums.

See more Canada guides →