Canada Immigration Costs: A Complete Fee Breakdown

Immigration to Canada costs more than the government filing fees suggest. Between language testing, educational credential assessments, medical exams, biometrics, police certificates, and the mandatory settlement funds demonstration, the total out-of-pocket cost for a single Express Entry applicant typically runs $2,600-$3,500 CAD before professional help or document translation.

This guide breaks down every cost in the Express Entry pathway, explains which fees are refundable and which are not, provides family-size estimates, and compares Canadian immigration costs to the equivalent US pathway. Use the Canada immigration cost calculator for a personalized estimate based on your family situation and country of origin.

Government Processing Fees: The Core Costs

The two central government fees for Express Entry permanent residence applications are the Processing Fee and the Right of Permanent Residence (ROPR) Fee:

Language Testing Costs

All Express Entry applicants must submit results from an approved language test. Canada accepts four tests:

• IELTS General Training (English): Approximately $309-$320 CAD. Results valid for two years. Available at test centres internationally.
• CELPIP General (English): Approximately $280 CAD. Canada-specific test with results within 8 business days. Available at select locations in Canada.
• TEF Canada (French): Approximately $390-$430 CAD. Required for applicants claiming French language points.
• TCF Canada (French): Approximately $320-$380 CAD. Alternative French language test accepted by IRCC.

Language tests must be taken before submitting your Express Entry profile. If your scores expire (tests are valid for two years) before you receive an ITA, you must retest. Planning your test timing carefully avoids this costly mistake. For how language scores affect your CRS ranking, see the Express Entry CRS score guide.

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

Federal Skilled Worker applicants with foreign education credentials must obtain an ECA from an IRCC-designated organization. The ECA verifies that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is equivalent to a Canadian standard.

• World Education Services (WES): $240-$310 CAD depending on credential type. Most widely used; results accepted for Express Entry.
• International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES): $210-$265 CAD. Accepted for Express Entry; based in British Columbia.
• Comparative Education Service (CES): $200-$240 CAD. University of Toronto-affiliated.
• Other IRCC-designated organizations: Fees range from $100 to $400 depending on credential type.

ECAs are not required for Canadian educational credentials. Processing times vary from 7 business days (WES expedited) to 60+ days (standard). Allow adequate time before your profile submission. A single ECA covers one credential - applicants wanting education points for multiple foreign degrees may need separate assessments.

Medical Examination Costs

All permanent residence applicants - principal applicant and all accompanying family members - must undergo a medical examination by an IRCC-approved panel physician. The exam cannot be conducted by your family doctor.

• Adults: Approximately $200-$400 CAD per person, depending on the panel physician's location and any additional tests required.
• Children under 11: Generally $150-$250 CAD; no chest x-ray required.
• Additional tests (TB culture, specialist referral): Can add $100-$300 per person.

Medical results are transmitted directly by the panel physician to IRCC and are valid for one year. If your application is not processed within that year, you will need to repeat the medical exam at additional cost.

Biometrics and Police Certificates

Biometrics

Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are required for most Canadian immigration applicants aged 14-79:

• Single applicant: $85 CAD
• Family applying together: $170 CAD maximum, regardless of family size

Biometrics collected in Canada are valid for ten years or until the expiry of your current travel document. If you provided biometrics for a prior Canadian immigration application within the validity period, you do not need to provide them again.

Police Certificates

You must provide a police certificate from every country where you have lived for six months or more since age 18. Costs vary widely by country:

• Canada (RCMP): Free (requested online; allow 2-4 weeks)
• United States (FBI): Approximately $18 USD plus fingerprinting ($20-$50 USD)
• United Kingdom: GBP 45 (approximately $75 CAD)
• India: Free to $25 CAD equivalent depending on state
• Other countries: Typically $15-$75 CAD equivalent per certificate

Settlement Funds Required

Express Entry applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs must demonstrate sufficient settlement funds. As of January 2025, the required amounts based on 50% of LICO are:

These funds must be freely transferable and available - not locked in retirement accounts, pledged as collateral, or subject to seizure. Canadian Experience Class applicants are exempt from settlement fund requirements, as are applicants with a valid Canadian job offer. The funds are not paid to IRCC - they are demonstrated through bank statements and similar documentation.

Total Cost Estimates by Family Size

Here is a realistic total cost range for the entire Express Entry pathway (excluding settlement funds, which are demonstrated but not paid):

These estimates include government processing fees, ROPR, one language test per adult, one ECA per adult, medical exams, biometrics, and two police certificates per adult. They do not include professional immigration consultant or lawyer fees, document translation, courier costs, or notarization fees.

Hidden Costs: What Surprises Applicants

Several costs catch applicants off guard:

• Language test retakes: Failing to hit the target CLB level and needing to retest adds $280-$430 per retake. Preparation courses can cost $500-$2,000.
• Document translation: All documents not in English or French must be translated by a certified translator. Cost ranges from $50-$150 per page, and international applicants may need 20-40 pages translated.
• Notarization and apostille: Some countries require apostille certification of documents before Canadian authorities accept them - $25-$200 per document depending on jurisdiction.
• Medical exam expiry: If processing delays push your medical exam past its one-year validity, you must repeat the exam at full cost.
• Police certificates from multiple countries: Applicants who have lived in three or more countries may pay $100-$200 in certificate fees alone.
• Immigration lawyer or consultant fees: Professional representation ranges from $2,000-$6,000+ CAD for full Express Entry case management. While optional, representation significantly reduces errors that delay or refuse applications.

Canada vs. US Immigration Costs: A Comparison

For applicants evaluating both Canada and the United States, here is a cost comparison for the most comparable self-sponsored pathways:

Canada's government fees are lower, but the US has premium processing options (I-140 premium processing for $2,805 USD reduces USCIS review to 15 business days) that Canada lacks. For a detailed US breakdown, use the US immigration cost calculator. For the Canadian pathway, use the Canada immigration cost calculator and pair it with the citizenship timeline calculator to map your full journey from first application to Canadian passport.

Frequently Asked Questions