Express Entry

Application Fee

The application fee for the principal applicant is $1,525.00 CAD, which includes the processing fee and the right of permanent residence fee. This fee is broken down into a processing fee ($950.00 CAD) and a right of permanent residence fee ($575.00 CAD). If the application includes a spouse, they must also pay the above fee. The cost for each dependent child on the application is $260.00 CAD.

Here is a chart to break it down.

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

However, other fees will need to be paid to complete the application. The costs 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 varies depending on the institution processing the request and the degree being processed. For example, an evaluation of a Bachelors degree is approximately $200.00 CAD from WES. However, certain professional degrees, such as Pharmacy or Medical Doctors, require ECA’s from their governing body. These can cost more than $1000.00 CAD.

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

Language proficiency is an essential factor in the Canadian immigration process as it demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively in English or French, the official languages 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 approximately $300.00 CAD per person.

Biometrics

As part of the Express Entry application, you will be required to provide biometric information, including fingerprints and a digital photograph. Biometrics are collected to establish your identity and verify your admissibility to Canada. The biometric fee for individuals is $85.00 CAD. If you are applying as a family, the fee is $170.00 CAD for the family. 

Biometrics are typically valid for ten 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 must 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 applicant’s age, the physician’s, and the examination’s complexity. Generally, the fee ranges from $100.00 CAD to $500.00 CAD per person, excluding any additional tests or vaccinations that may be required.

Police Clearance Certificates

Applicants must provide police clearance certificates or records from each country or territory where they have resided for six months or more since 18. These certificates help establish that applicants have good character and do not pose a risk to Canadian society. As part of this process, you will need to pay for a Certificate Issuance Fee, Translation and Notarization, and Delivery and Courier Fees. The average cost for this is $250.00 CAD per person; however, it can vary depending on the country.

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 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: 

• One person (single applicant): $15,263.00 CAD
• Two persons: $19,001.00 CAD
• Three persons: $23,360.00 CAD
• Four persons: $28,362.00 CAD
• Five persons: $32,168.00 CAD
• Six persons: $36,280.00 CAD
• Seven persons: $40,392.00 CAD
• If more than seven persons, for each additional family member: $4,112.00

The settlement funds cover living expenses such as accommodation, food, transportation, utilities, and other necessities. These funds can be in cash, savings, liquid assets, or a combination thereof. It’s essential 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 must pay additional application fees determined by the province they are applying to. Here is an overview of the provincial fees, which may vary depending on family size:

Having covered the costs associated with the Express Entry and PNP route, let’s now break them down in a chart format. Please note that the following chart is just an approximate estimation, and fees may vary depending on the individual. 

 As seen by the chart above, you can expect to spend around $17,150.00 CAD for individuals going through this journey individually. If you plan to immigrate to Canada with your family of four, the total expenses can reach approximately $33,437.00 CAD. Remember that these numbers only cover the Express Entry process and don’t include any additional fees for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) or the assistance of immigration consultants. This price also may vary depending on the needs of the individual applicant.