Canada Raises Canadian Citizenship Fees – What You Need to Know
As of March 31, 2025, the Canadian federal government quietly raised the “right of citizenship” fee for adult applicants from CAD 100 to CAD 119.75
Fee Update Summary
Effective March 31, 2025, the Right of Citizenship fee for adult applicants (18+) has increased from CAD 100 to CAD 119.75, reflecting annual CPI adjustments.
| Applicant Type | Old Fee | New Fee | Processing Fee | Total Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults (18+) | $100 | $119.75 | $530 | $649.75 |
| Minors (< 18) | – | – | $100 | $100 |
🔹 Adults now pay CAD 649.75 instead of the previous CAD 630.
Who Is Impacted?
- New applications (online or paper) submitted on or after March 31, 2025
- Online applicants who paid the old fee must now pay the CAD 19.75 difference
- Paper applications submitted before the cutoff but processed later may also require the additional fee.
Minors remain unaffected – their fee stays at CAD 100 .
Why the Increase?
The adjustment aligns with the Service Fees Act and reflects annual inflation measured by Canada’s Consumer Price Index.
This marks the first substantive increase since 1995 and helps IRCC sustain service levels amid rising administrative costs
What You Should Do
- Applying soon? Budget for an extra CAD 19.75 if you’re 18 or older.
- Applied before March 31? Check IRCC’s communication—if required, pay the top-up fee promptly.
- Paper-based application? IRCC usually notifies you if more payment is needed.
VisaMasterCanada Can Help
At VisaMasterCanada, we simplify your path to citizenship with expert services:
- Citizenship Eligibility Assessment – Verify your residency, test, and language benchmarks.
- Application Support & Fee Guidance – Avoid mistakes and delays.
- Tracking Timelines & Updates – With processing averaging ~8 months, we help manage expectations
Applicant FAQ
Q1: Does the fee hike apply to minors or stateless adults?
- Minors (under 18): Still just CAD 100.
- Stateless adults born to Canadian parents: Pay the increased CAD 119.75 fee Canada OpenReddit+9CIC News+9canadianimmigrationnews.com+9.
Q2: I already applied online and paid CAD 100—what now?
- IRCC will notify you to pay the CAD 19.75 difference if your application is after the fee change immigration.ca.
Q3: Sent a paper application before March 31, but it entered processing after?
- IRCC may request the extra payment; paper applications mailed prior are usually accepted without rejection .
Q4: Why did IRCC raise the fee?
- To keep pace with inflation and conform to the Service Fees Act, ensuring cost recovery for public services.
While a modest CAD 19.75 increase might seem small today, staying informed is vital—especially when applying for multiple family members. Ensure your citizenship application fee is current to avoid IRCC delays.
Why the Hike?
The fee adjustment helps offset rising costs of citizenship processing and inflation. This isn’t the first—processing fees went from $100 to $530 in 2013 under Canada’s User Fees Act as part of a shift to full cost recovery
Next Steps with VisaMasterCanada
- Ready for your next step? Book our Citizenship Application Support today.
- Want to check eligibility? Use our Free Citizenship Assessment.
With VisaMasterCanada, achieving Canadian citizenship is straightforward, transparent, and stress-free. Contact us today!
