Canadian Citizenship Fee Hike Now in Effect: What Applicants Need to Know

If you’re planning to apply for Canadian citizenship this year, you’ll want to prepare your wallet — citizenship fees just got more expensive.

As of March 31, 2025, at midnight Eastern Time, the right of citizenship fee for adult applicants was increased by 20%, from $100 to $119.75, according to an update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). While the $530 processing fee remains unchanged, this increase brings the total cost for adult applicants to $649.75.

“On March 31, 2025, at midnight ET, the right of citizenship fee for adult applicants increased from $100 to $119.75,” – IRCC

What’s Changing and Who It Affects   

Here’s a breakdown of the updated fee structure for Canadian citizenship applications:

• Adult applicants (18 years and older):
  • Processing fee: $530 (unchanged)
  • Right of citizenship fee: $119.75 (increased from $100)
  • Total: $649.75
• Minors under 18:
  • Flat citizenship application fee: $100 (no change)
• Stateless adults (born to Canadian parents):
  • Right of citizenship fee only: $119.75

This fee increase is part of a broader effort to align fees with rising operational costs, inflation, and modernization of IRCC services. The last major change to this fee occurred back in 2015, making this the first update in a decade.

What If You Already Submitted Your Application?

For those who have already applied, you may still be in luck — or at least partially.

Online applications are received instantly by IRCC, so if you submitted and paid before the March 31 deadline, you’re not affected by the increase.

However, if you mailed your application, things can get a little trickier due to delivery delays. IRCC has clarified that your application will still be processed under the old fee structure if:

• You submitted a complete application
• You paid the previous fee before the March 31 increase
• Your application was postmarked before the fee change

If any of those conditions aren’t met, you’ll be expected to pay the $19.75 difference.

How to Pay the Difference

If your application was in transit when the new fee took effect, you’re responsible for paying the fee difference using IRCC’s online payment system.

Here’s how:

1. Visit the IRCC Online Payment Tool
2. Enter the fee difference as your “quantity”
3. If you’re paying for multiple family members, you can submit multiple transactions or combine them into one
4. Create or log in to your IRCC account
5. Submit your payment receipt according to IRCC instructions

Once your payment is processed, your application will proceed without issue.

For many newcomers and long-term residents, Canadian citizenship is a milestone that opens the door to voting rights, global travel freedom, and permanent belonging. While the $19.75 fee increase may seem modest, it’s another hurdle in an already expensive and sometimes lengthy process.

If you’re planning to apply soon, make sure you double-check the fees, confirm your application date, and if necessary, settle any outstanding balance with IRCC promptly.

For more information, check out IRCC’s official guide on citizenship:
👉 IRCC Citizenship Application Info