Express Entry Government Fees: The Complete 2026 Cost Breakdown

Most applicants underestimate what they'll owe the government before they ever step foot in Canada. Beyond the stress of CRS scores and document checklists, there's a hard financial requirement that hits all at once: federal processing fees, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, biometrics, and a stack of mandatory third-party costs that the IRCC fee schedule doesn't mention.

Here's the full picture, updated for April 2026.

What Changed on April 30, 2026

IRCC indexes permanent residence fees biennially to offset administrative costs and inflation. The latest adjustment took effect on April 30, 2026, and applies to all Express Entry streams — Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades.

The increases were modest but real. If you're comparing numbers from 2024 or early 2025, they're out of date.

The Federal Fee Schedule (Post-April 30, 2026)

These are the fees paid directly to the Government of Canada via the IRCC online payment portal:

Principal Applicant

• Processing fee: $990 CAD (up from $950)
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $600 CAD (up from $575)
• Total for principal applicant: $1,590 CAD

Accompanying Spouse or Common-Law Partner

• Processing fee: $990 CAD
• RPRF: $600 CAD
• Total for spouse: $1,590 CAD

Dependent Children (per child)

• Processing fee: $270 CAD
• No RPRF for children
• Total per dependent child: $270 CAD

Biometrics

• $85 CAD per adult
• Capped at $170 CAD per family

So a couple without children pays $1,590 + $1,590 + $170 = $3,350 CAD before a single third-party cost.

A family of four — two adults and two children — pays $1,590 + $1,590 + $540 + $170 = $3,890 CAD in government fees alone.

When Do You Pay?

You pay the processing fees when you submit your electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR), which happens after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). You have 60 days from the date of the ITA to submit a complete application.

The RPRF is paid at the same time. Some applicants mistakenly assume the RPRF is paid at landing — that was changed years ago. It's part of the initial e-APR submission fees.

Biometrics are typically collected separately if you haven't already given them for a previous Canadian application (work permit, study permit, etc.). Previous biometrics remain valid for ten years, so many applicants in the pool already have these on file.

The Costs IRCC Doesn't Include in the Fee Schedule

The government fee schedule only covers processing. The true financial picture is much larger, and these costs often need to be paid months before you even enter the pool.

Language Testing An approved language test — IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, or TEF Canada — costs roughly $300–$350 CAD per adult. If you retake a test to improve your CRS score, multiply accordingly. Language test results are only valid for two years from the test date.

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) A foreign degree earns zero CRS points without an ECA from an IRCC-designated organization. World Education Services (WES) is the most commonly used, averaging 20–35 business days to process. WES fees run approximately $250–$400 CAD depending on the evaluation type.

Immigration Medical Examination (IME) Every applicant and accompanying dependent requires a medical exam by an IRCC-approved Panel Physician. Costs vary by location, but budget $200–$400 CAD per person. Medical exams have a validity period, so timing matters.

Police Clearance Certificates (PCCs) You need a PCC for every country where you've lived for six or more consecutive months since age 18. Fees and processing times vary dramatically by country. The NBI clearance in the Philippines, the PSK police certificate in India, and the process in Nigeria each have their own requirements and timelines — and some countries require legalization or authentication that adds additional cost and time.

Document Translation Any vital record not in English or French must be translated by a certified translator. For a family application with marriage certificates, birth certificates, and foreign employment contracts, this bill can reach $300–$600 CAD.

Realistic Total Cost Projection

For a single applicant with no complications:

• Government fees: $1,590 CAD
• Biometrics: $85 CAD
• Language test: $320 CAD
• ECA (WES): $310 CAD
• Medical exam: $300 CAD
• Police certificates: ~$100–$200 CAD
• Realistic floor: ~$2,700–$2,800 CAD

For a couple with two children:

• Government fees: $3,890 CAD
• Language tests (two adults): $640 CAD
• Two ECAs: $620 CAD
• Medical exams (family of four): $1,000–$1,200 CAD
• Police certificates (two adults): ~$200–$400 CAD
• Realistic floor: ~$6,350–$6,750 CAD

These figures don't include any consultant or legal fees. Full representation from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or immigration lawyer typically runs $3,000–$8,000 CAD additional.

Settlement Funds Are Not a Fee — But They're Mandatory

In addition to all the above, Federal Skilled Worker applicants who don't have a valid Canadian job offer must prove they hold enough liquid settlement funds to support themselves and any accompanying dependents. These funds must remain in your accounts — they are not paid to the government.

The 2026 requirements (effective July 2025 update):

• 1 family member: $15,263 CAD
• 2 family members: $19,001 CAD
• 3 family members: $23,360 CAD
• 4 family members: $28,362 CAD
• Each additional member: +$4,112 CAD

Property equity and real estate do not count toward proof of funds. IRCC requires liquid, readily transferable assets with a six-month average balance history from your financial institution.

What Happens If Your Application Is Refused

A refusal means you lose most of your processing fees. The RPRF is technically refunded if you don't land in Canada, but the $990 processing fee is not. Reapplying means paying the full fee schedule again, re-booking medical exams if they expire, and potentially retesting for language if your results are approaching the two-year validity limit. That's why document quality matters before you click submit.

Getting the fee side right is the easy part. The harder work is optimizing your CRS score, aligning your NOC code correctly, and making sure every document in your application survives officer review. The Canada Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) Guide walks through the full strategy — from profile entry to landing — with the specific checklists and templates that eliminate the most common refusal causes.