Canada increases permanent residence and citizenship fees for Nigerians and others, effective April 30, 2026, under new IRCC update

The Government of Canada has announced an increase in application fees for permanent residence and citizenship, affecting Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking to relocate to the country.

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Government of Canada confirmed that the new fee structure will take effect on 30 April 2026, according to a notice published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

The department stated that the adjustment is part of routine updates aimed at maintaining efficient service delivery and responding to inflationary pressures.

It explained that applications received on or after the effective date will automatically be subject to the revised charges.

Under the new structure, permanent residence fees will increase by amounts ranging from $15 to $85 depending on the immigration category, while citizenship fees will rise by approximately 2.7 percent.

Key adjustments include an increase in the Right of Permanent Residence Fee from $575 to $600, and changes across several programmes including the Provincial Nominee, Business Class, Family Class, and humanitarian categories.

The citizenship fee will also rise from $119.75 to $123, effective 31 March 2026.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said fee reviews are conducted every two years under immigration regulations to ensure sustainability of the system and align with rising operational costs.

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The development is expected to impact thousands of applicants worldwide, including Nigerians pursuing residency pathways in Canada.