Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has quietly implemented a slate of fee increases that took effect on December 1 but were only publicised this week. The adjustments apply to two sets of applicants: (1) foreign nationals who must resolve inadmissibility issues—such as criminal rehabilitation or re-entry authorisation—and (2) participants in the popular International Experience Canada (IEC) programme, which brings more than 90,000 working-holiday, co-op and young-professional visitors to Canada each year.
For inadmissibility-related requests, most processing fees rose by roughly 3 per cent in line with inflation. The cost of an Authorisation to Return to Canada now sits at CA$492.50 (up from $479.75), while a Temporary Resident Permit has climbed to $246.25. More severely, applicants deemed inadmissible for “serious criminality” face a new fee of $1,231—an increase of $32.
![Canada Raises Immigration Fees for Inadmissibility Applications and IEC Work Permits]()
IEC applicants were also caught by surprise. The programme’s base processing fee has moved from $179.75 to $184.75. Although the five-dollar hike seems modest, it affects thousands of would-be seasonal workers and interns who must already show proof of sufficient funds, insurance and a return ticket. IRCC confirmed that anyone who paid online before midnight on December 1 is shielded from the higher rate; paper applicants whose packages arrive after that date will receive a payment request for the shortfall.
Corporate mobility managers should update cost projections immediately, particularly for inadmissibility cases that often arise when relocating senior executives with historic DUI convictions or other offences. Employers who sponsor IEC participants for seasonal roles in tourism and hospitality should note that the 2025 IEC pools are now closed; profiles can only be submitted when the 2026 season opens, likely in January.
Practically, the fee update underscores IRCC’s shift toward full cost recovery. Officials have raised removal-expense fees twice this year and warn that further increases could come every April and December as the department balances reduced application volumes with rising enforcement costs. Companies should budget contingency funds for future fee creep and remind travellers to pay online—IRCC’s preferred route that avoids costly top-up requests.
For inadmissibility-related requests, most processing fees rose by roughly 3 per cent in line with inflation. The cost of an Authorisation to Return to Canada now sits at CA$492.50 (up from $479.75), while a Temporary Resident Permit has climbed to $246.25. More severely, applicants deemed inadmissible for “serious criminality” face a new fee of $1,231—an increase of $32.
IEC applicants were also caught by surprise. The programme’s base processing fee has moved from $179.75 to $184.75. Although the five-dollar hike seems modest, it affects thousands of would-be seasonal workers and interns who must already show proof of sufficient funds, insurance and a return ticket. IRCC confirmed that anyone who paid online before midnight on December 1 is shielded from the higher rate; paper applicants whose packages arrive after that date will receive a payment request for the shortfall.
Corporate mobility managers should update cost projections immediately, particularly for inadmissibility cases that often arise when relocating senior executives with historic DUI convictions or other offences. Employers who sponsor IEC participants for seasonal roles in tourism and hospitality should note that the 2025 IEC pools are now closed; profiles can only be submitted when the 2026 season opens, likely in January.
Practically, the fee update underscores IRCC’s shift toward full cost recovery. Officials have raised removal-expense fees twice this year and warn that further increases could come every April and December as the department balances reduced application volumes with rising enforcement costs. Companies should budget contingency funds for future fee creep and remind travellers to pay online—IRCC’s preferred route that avoids costly top-up requests.
