RCIC News. 
New immigration fees hit temporary residents hard
On This Page You Will Find:
- Complete breakdown of all new IRCC fees effective December 1, 2025
- Exact cost increases for status restoration applications
- Step-by-step guide for paying fee differences if you already applied
- Critical deadlines and payment instructions to avoid application rejection
- Money-saving strategies for students and workers facing status issues
Summary:
Immigration fees in Canada just got more expensive. Starting December 1, 2025, restoring your status as a student, worker, or visitor now costs $246.25—up from $239.75. International Experience Canada participants face higher fees too. If you've already applied with the old fees, you may need to pay the difference or risk having your application returned. This guide breaks down every fee change, explains what happens to applications already submitted, and provides the exact steps to handle payment differences before IRCC rejects your case.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Status restoration fees increased to $246.25 across all categories (visitor, worker, student)
- Applications submitted with old fees after December 1 require additional payment
- International Experience Canada fees rose to $184.75 from $179.75
- You have 90 days maximum to restore lost status—missing this deadline means leaving Canada
- Combined restoration and new permit fees now cost up to $401.25 for workers
Maria Santos discovered she'd lost her student status three weeks ago when her study permit expired while she was focused on final exams. Now facing the new $396.25 cost to restore her status and get a new study permit, she's one of thousands of temporary residents hit by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's latest fee increases.
The December 1, 2025 fee hike affects anyone needing to restore their legal status in Canada, apply for temporary resident permits, or participate in International Experience Canada programs. For students like Maria, the combined cost of restoration plus a new permit jumped from $389.75 to $396.25—and that's just the beginning of a year that's seen multiple immigration fee increases.
What Changed: Complete Fee Breakdown
The new fee structure targets specific immigration categories, with status restoration seeing the most significant impact on everyday applicants.
Status Restoration Fee Increases
Every category of status restoration now costs $246.25, representing a $6.50 increase across the board:
Visitor Status Restoration: Previously $239.75, now $246.25 for the restoration fee alone (no additional permits required).
Worker Status Restoration: The basic restoration costs $246.25, but if you need a new work permit simultaneously, you'll pay $401.25 total ($246.25 restoration + $155 work permit fee).
Student Status Restoration: Similar structure—$246.25 for restoration alone, or $396.25 if you need a new study permit ($246.25 + $150 study permit fee).
These combined fees represent the reality most applicants face. You can't just restore your status; you typically need the actual permit to continue studying or working legally.
Inadmissibility and Authorization Fees
For applicants with more complex immigration histories, several inadmissibility-related fees increased:
Authorization to Return to Canada jumped from $479.75 to $492.50—affecting individuals previously removed or who departed under removal orders.
Temporary Resident Permits increased from $239.75 to $246.25, matching the restoration fee structure.
Serious Criminality Applications saw the largest dollar increase, rising from $1,199 to $1,231—a $32 jump for those overcoming criminal inadmissibility.
International Experience Canada Gets More Expensive
The popular IEC program, covering Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op streams, increased from $179.75 to $184.75. While only a $5 increase, it affects thousands of young adults from participating countries seeking Canadian work experience.
Already Applied? Here's What Happens Next
If you submitted your application around the December 1 deadline, your payment situation depends on exact timing and submission method.
Online Applications
Applications submitted online on or after December 1, 2025 with the old fee amounts will require additional payment. IRCC's system should have prompted you for the correct amount, but if you somehow submitted with insufficient funds, expect a request for the difference.
Mailed Applications
This creates the most confusion. If you mailed your complete application before December 1 but IRCC received it after the fee change took effect, you'll need to pay the difference even though you submitted it correctly under the old rules.
IRCC won't reject these applications outright. Instead, you'll receive instructions on paying the additional amount required.
How to Pay Fee Differences
When IRCC requests additional payment, follow this exact process:
Calculate the Total Difference: Determine how much additional money you owe per applicant and any family members included in your application.
Access the Payment Portal: Go to IRCC's "Make an additional payment" webpage and enter your application details.
Enter the Difference Amount: Input the total difference owed under "Quantity"—don't pay the full new fee, just what's missing.
Submit Your Receipt: After payment, submit the receipt following the specific instructions IRCC provides in their request.
Missing this payment request or submitting it incorrectly can result in application delays or returns, forcing you to restart the entire process.
Why Fees Keep Rising: The Cost Recovery Reality
These December increases mark the third round of immigration fee hikes in 2025, reflecting IRCC's cost-recovery mandate.
Earlier this year, citizenship fees increased from $100 to $119.75 in March, while removal expense fees skyrocketed in April—jumping from $1,799 to $12,880 for escorted air removals. The pattern shows IRCC adjusting fees to match actual processing costs as application volumes remain historically high.
For temporary residents, this creates a challenging financial landscape. Status restoration was always expensive, but combined fees now approach $400 for students and workers who need both restoration and new permits.
Critical Deadlines You Cannot Miss
Understanding restoration timing becomes even more crucial as costs rise.
The 90-Day Rule
You have exactly 90 days from losing your status to apply for restoration. Miss this deadline, and no amount of money will restore your status from within Canada—you must leave and reapply from your home country.
Status loss typically occurs the day after your permit expires, not when you realize it's expired. If your study permit expired on September 15, your 90-day restoration window closes December 14, regardless of when you discovered the problem.
Implied Status Protection
If you apply to extend your permit before it expires, you maintain "implied status" while IRCC processes your application. This protection doesn't exist with restoration applications—you cannot work or study while waiting for restoration approval.
For students like Maria, this means potentially missing an entire semester. For workers, it means stopping work immediately upon application submission, creating serious financial hardship during an already expensive process.
Smart Strategies for Managing Higher Costs
With fees continuing to climb, temporary residents need proactive approaches to avoid restoration situations entirely.
Set Multiple Expiry Alerts
Create calendar reminders 120, 90, and 60 days before your permit expires. This gives you time to gather documents and submit extension applications while maintaining implied status.
Budget for Combined Costs
If restoration becomes necessary, budget for the combined fees immediately. Don't assume you can restore status without getting a new permit—most people need both.
Consider Professional Help Early
Immigration lawyers and consultants cost money upfront but can prevent costly mistakes. A $500 consultation is cheaper than a $400 restoration fee plus the stress of potential deportation.
What This Means for Your Immigration Journey
These fee increases signal a broader shift in Canadian immigration policy. As processing times remain long and application volumes stay high, expect continued cost adjustments.
For current temporary residents, the message is clear: maintain your status proactively. The cost of fixing mistakes keeps rising, while the consequences of losing status remain severe.
International students should particularly note these changes as they plan their studies. A single oversight in permit renewal now costs nearly $400 to fix, potentially derailing academic plans and creating unexpected financial stress.
The December 1 fee increases represent more than administrative adjustments—they're a reminder that maintaining legal status in Canada requires constant attention and increasing financial resources. Whether you're a student focused on exams, a worker building your career, or a young professional on a working holiday, staying ahead of permit expiries has never been more important.
For those already caught in restoration situations, understanding the new fee structure and payment processes can mean the difference between successfully regaining status and being forced to leave Canada. As immigration costs continue rising, proactive status management isn't just good practice—it's essential financial planning.