How Much Does Canadian Citizenship Cost in 2024?

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If you are a Canadian permanent resident 18 years or older and have resided in Canada for at least three out of the past five years, you qualify to apply for Canadian citizenship. Canadian citizenship offers significantly more rights and privileges than permanent residency. 
While permanent residents enjoy many benefits, such as the right to live and work in Canada indefinitely, citizenship opens up additional opportunities. For example, naturalized citizens can hold dual citizenship, allowing them to maintain citizenship in their home country while enjoying all the benefits of being Canadian. Let's not forget that citizens have the right to vote and run for political office. 
Keeping all this in mind, if you’re set on becoming a Canadian, you’re surely wondering about the Canadian citizenship cost. If that’s the case, we got you! 

Breakdown of the Canadian Citizenship Application Fee 2024

Your Canadian citizenship fee must be paid online regardless of the method you use to apply. While the IRCC will tell you the exact charges for your application, we’ll cover the general current fees below. 

Canadian Citizenship Application Cost for Adults and Minors

According to the IRCC, those above 18 applying for their Canadian citizenship must follow the fee table below:

Canadian Citizenship Application Cost for Minors

The application fee for Canadian citizenship for minors (those under 18 years of age) is as follows:

Canadian Citizenship Fee for Seniors

The Canadian citizenship application fee is the same for most applicants, including seniors. As of 2024, the total fee for an adult applying for Canadian citizenship is as follows:

Unfortunately, Canada does not currently offer reduced fees specifically for senior applicants.
However, it’s important to check if there are fee waivers or special circumstances that could apply. For example, if an applicant faces financial hardship, you can explore options like payment plans or support through community organizations that assist with the citizenship process. 

Other Canadian Citizenship Fee Cost and Services

Here is a list of fees charged by the IRCC for other services:

Additional Costs and Considerations for Canadian Citizenship

Beyond the main citizenship application fees, you might incur a few extra costs during the process. These aren’t part of the standard fees. However, they could pop up depending on your situation. It’s best to budget for these early so you’re not surprised later down the line!

Language Proficiency Proof

Those between 18 and 54 must prove their ability to speak and understand English or French. This usually means providing results from a government-approved language test, like IELTS or CELPIP for English. These tests aren’t free, and you must pay for them separately. Prices can vary, but you're looking at about CAD 300 on average for an English test. Be sure to check test center availability and fees beforehand so you’re not caught off guard.

Criminal Record Checks and Fingerprinting

Applicants may need to submit additional documents like a police certificate or go through fingerprinting to confirm their background in some cases. While not everyone will need this, expect some extra costs if you do. Fingerprinting services in Canada can range from CAD 50 to CAD 100 depending on where you go, and police certificates can vary based on your location. It’s worth checking in advance if you think this might apply to you.

Legal or Consultant Fees (Optional)

While you can handle the citizenship application independently, some people choose to hire an immigration lawyer or consultant for assistance. If you go this route, be prepared to pay anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. This totally depends on the level of service you need. It’s optional, but if you feel more comfortable having professional help, it’s something to budget for. Just make sure they’re licensed with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) to avoid any scams.

Payment Methods for Canadian Citizenship Fees

Let’s go over the accepted payment options and how you can submit your payment for your Canadian citizenship application. 

Accepted Payment Options

The primary way to pay your citizenship fees is online. The IRCC accepts several payment methods to make it easy for applicants:

• Credit Cards: Most major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, are accepted.
• Debit Cards: If you’re using an online payment platform that supports debit transactions, you can also use your debit card.
• Prepaid Credit Cards: These are also accepted as long as they’re linked to the online payment system.
• Interac Online: If you have a Canadian bank account, you can pay directly through Interac Online.

Unfortunately, traditional methods like cash, checks, or money orders are not accepted for citizenship fees. All payments must be made online. Moreover, the IRCC no longer processes payments via mail.

How to Submit Payment with Your Application

Once you’re ready to pay, here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the IRCC website. Navigate to the payment page. Here, you’ll find the option to pay the citizenship fees.
2. Enter your information. You’ll need to provide basic information, like your name and application type.
3. Select the payment option that works best for you (credit card, debit, etc.). Now, enter the details.
4. After your payment is processed, you’ll receive an official receipt. Save and print this receipt because you’ll need to include it with your citizenship application as proof of payment.

Tip: Make sure your payment goes through before submitting your application. If your payment isn’t complete or there’s an issue with the transaction, your application could be delayed or even returned.

Canadian Citizenship Fee Refund Policies 

While most fees are non-refundable, you can get a refund in some situations:

Application Withdrawal

If you decide to withdraw your citizenship application before it’s processed, you can request a refund for the Right of Citizenship fee. However, the processing fee is non-refundable once your application starts being processed.

Application Denied

If your citizenship application is denied, you won’t get a refund for the processing or citizenship fees.

Overpayment or Duplicate Payment

If you accidentally paid too much or made duplicate payments, you can request a refund for the extra amount.
To request a refund, complete a form available on the IRCC website. It can take several weeks for the refund to be processed.

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