Breaking Down the Costs: How much money do you need for Express Entry

Hussein Zarif
Hussein Zarif

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Does the thought of starting a new life in Canada make your heart skip a beat? Canada is renowned for its exceptional quality of life, well-developed public education system, and access to healthcare, it has secured its place among the top-ranking countries in the world. With its multicultural population and welcoming immigration policies, Canada continues to be an attractive destination on the global stage.

However, immigrating to Canada requires a substantial financial commitment. Moving to a new country involves careful financial planning and understanding the costs involved. In this blog, we will delve into the comprehensive breakdown of expenses for several key types of applications, including Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). All costs listed in this blog are in Canadian Dollars.

How Much Money Do You Need For Express Entry?

Express Entry is a popular program for skilled workers who wish to settle in Canada permanently. It comprises three main streams: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

 

Application Fee

 

The application fee for the principal applicant is $1,325, which includes the processing fee and the right of permanent residence fee. This fee is broken down as a Processing fee ($850) and a right of permanent residence fee ($515). If the application includes a spouse, they will also have to pay the above fee. For each dependent child on the application, the cost is $230.

Here is a chart to break it down.

 

Fee

Single

Couple

Additional Cost Per Dependent Child

Application Processing Fee

$850

$1,700

Right of Permanent Residence Fee

$515

$1,030

Total Application Fee

$1,325

$2,650

$230

 

When applying for Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry, there are no government fees required to submit your initial profile. The fees are only applicable when you receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence. At that stage, you will be required to pay the government processing fees. The government processing fees for Express Entry include the application fee and the right of permanent residence fee. 

 

There are however other fees that will need to be paid to complete the application. The fees include the following:

 

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

 

To prove the equivalency of your educational credentials, you’ll need to obtain an ECA from a designated organization, such as the World Education Services (WES). The cost for an ECA is approximately $200.

 

Language tests (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF)

 

Language proficiency is an important factor in the Canadian immigration process as it demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively in English or French, the official language of Canada. The most commonly accepted language tests by Canadian immigration authorities are the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF), and the Test de connaissance du français (TCF). The cost to take a language test is about $300 per person.

 

Biometrics

 

As part of the Express Entry application, you will be required to provide biometric information, which includes fingerprints and a digital photograph. Biometrics are collected to establish your identity and verify your admissibility to Canada. The biometric fee for individuals is $85. If you are applying as a family together, the fee is $170 for the family. 

 

It’s important to note that biometrics are typically valid for a period of 10 years, so if you have previously provided biometrics for a Canadian visa or permit, you may not need to provide them again for subsequent applications.

 

Medical Examination

 

As part of the Express Entry application, you and your accompanying family members will be required to undergo a medical examination to assess your health and admissibility to Canada.

The medical examination must be conducted by a designated panel physician approved by the Government of Canada. The cost of the medical examination varies depending on the country, the physician, and the complexity of the examination. Generally, the fee ranges from $100 to $500 per person, excluding any additional tests or vaccinations that may be required.

 

Police Clearance Certificates

 

Applicants are required to provide police clearance certificates or records from each country or territory where they have resided for a certain period of time. These certificates help establish that applicants have a good character and do not pose a risk to Canadian society. As part of this process, you will need to pay for Certificate Issuance Fee, Translation and Notarization, and Delivery and Courier Fees. The average cost for this is $250 per person. 

 

Settlement Funds

 

Each applicant has to show sufficient funds to support themselves and their family members upon arrival in Canada. These funds are commonly referred to as settlement funds. You do not need to show settlement funds if you are applying with the Canadian Experience Class or if you have a letter of employment. The specific amount of settlement funds required depends on the size of your family.

 

Here are the minimum settlement fund requirements based on family size: 

 

  • 1 person (single applicant): $12,960 
  • 2 persons:  $16,135 
  • 3 persons: $19,836 
  • 4 persons: $24,083 
  • 5 persons: $27,315 
  • 6 persons: $30,806 
  • 7 persons or more: $34,299

 

The settlement funds are intended to cover living expenses such as accommodation, food, transportation, utilities, and other necessities. These funds can be in the form of cash, savings, liquid assets, or a combination thereof. It’s important to provide evidence of these funds through bank statements, investment statements, or other official financial documents.

 

Provincial Nominee Program

 

Applying through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows individuals to seek immigration opportunities based on their skills and qualifications in a specific province or territory in Canada. Apart from the general immigration fees, applicants under the PNP are required to pay additional application fees determined by the province they are applying to. Here is an overview of the provincial fees:

 

PNP Program

Fee

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

$500

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

$1,150

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

$500

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)

$250

Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)

$250

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

$0

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

$1,500 to $2,000

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)

$300

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

$350

 

Having covered the costs associated with the Express Entry and PNP route, let’s now break them down in a chart format.

 

Type of Fee

Single

Couple

Couple + 1 Child

Couple + 2 Children

Application Processing Fee

$850

$1,700

$1,930

$2,160

Right of Permanent Residence Fee

$515

$1,030

$1,030

$1,030

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

$200

$400

$400

$400

Language tests (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF)

$300

$600

$600

$600

Biometrics

$85

$170

$170

$170

Medical Examination

$100

$200

$300

$400

Police Clearance Certificates

$250

$500

$750

$1,000

Settlement funds

$13,757

$17,127

$21,055

$25,564

Total Cost

$16,057

$21,727

$26,235

$31,324

 

As we can see by the chart above, for individuals going through this journey individually, you can expect to spend around $16,057. If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada with your family of four, the total expenses can reach approximately $31,324. Keep in mind that these numbers only cover the Express Entry process itself and don’t include any additional fees for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) or the assistance of immigration consultants.

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The languages only differ in their grammar, their pronunciation and their most common words. Everyone realizes why a new common language would be desirable: one could refuse to pay expensive translators.
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The new common language will be more simple and regular than the existing European languages. It will be as simple as Occidental.
  • Reduced Carbon Footprint
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While these costs may seem daunting at first glance, it’s important to remember that they reflect the investment required to pursue your dream of living in Canada. By being aware of the financial aspects and planning accordingly, you can make informed decisions and set yourself up for a smoother immigration journey.

The information in this blog is not to be interpreted or construed as legal advice. Everyone’s immigration goals, objectives and situations are different. Please contact us to speak to a consultant for advice.

About Us

Canada By Choice is a Canadian Immigration Firm based in Windsor, Ontario. Founded in 2007, Canada By Choice Immigration is widely considered as one of the most respected immigration firms in our region. We have earned our reputation as a world class firm by providing dedication and personalized service to each and every unique case before us.

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