Canadian Citizenship Fee 2026: Total Cost ($630 Adult)

The Canadian citizenship fee is $630 CAD for adults and $100 CAD for minors in 2026. That is the total you pay IRCC when you submit your application online. The $630 adult fee is actually two separate charges — a $530 processing fee and a $100 Right of Citizenship fee — bundled into one upfront payment. This guide breaks down every part of the fee, what it covers, and all the hidden costs most applicants don't anticipate. Prices verified against the [IRCC fee list](https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp) as of April 2026.

What Each Fee Pays For

Processing Fee ($530 for adults, $100 for minors):

• Review of your application and documents
• Background checks and security screening
• Scheduling and administration of the citizenship test
• Processing through all stages until a decision is made

Right of Citizenship Fee ($100 for adults only):

• This fee is charged when your application is approved
• It grants you the legal right of Canadian citizenship
• It is included in the upfront payment but technically covers the final grant of citizenship

IRCC accepts payment through the online portal:

• Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
• Debit card (Interac Online for Canadian bank accounts)
• Prepaid credit cards are generally accepted

Payment is required at the time you submit your application online. You will receive a receipt that you should save for your records.

• Before processing begins: If IRCC returns your application before starting to process it (e.g., because it is incomplete), you may receive a refund of the processing fee.
• After processing begins: Fees are non-refundable, even if your application is denied or you withdraw it.
• Right of Citizenship fee: This is only refundable if your application is not approved.

If IRCC increases fees after you have already paid and submitted your application, you will NOT be required to pay the difference. Your application is locked in at the fee schedule in effect when you submitted it.

Beyond the application fee itself, budget for these additional expenses:

Citizenship Photos: $15-25

You need two identical photos meeting IRCC specifications. Most pharmacies and photo studios offer citizenship photo services.

Document Translations: $30-100 per document

Any documents not in English or French must be translated by a certified translator. Common documents that need translation include birth certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees.

Language Test Fees: $300-400

If you need to prove your language ability through a formal test (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF), each test costs between $300-400. Not everyone needs this — see our [language requirement guide](/blog/canadian-citizenship-language-requirement) for alternatives.

Photocopying and Mailing: $10-30

Even with online submission, you may need certified copies of documents. Budget for photocopying and any mailing costs.

Time Off Work

The citizenship test and ceremony each require time away from work. The online test can be taken at any time within a 30-day window, making this more flexible than before.

Families applying together can expect these costs:

IRCC does not offer general fee waivers for routine citizenship applications. The $630 adult fee applies to virtually everyone, including permanent residents who have been in Canada for decades and paid taxes throughout that period. Narrow exceptions exist for:

• Stateless persons applying under subsection 5(5) of the Citizenship Act — some administrative fees may be reduced.
• Protected persons and certain humanitarian cases — fees remain payable, but IRCC officers may consider special circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
• Resuming citizenship after renunciation — different fee schedule applies ($100 adult fee, not $630).

Most applicants should plan for the full $630 fee per adult. There is no income-based sliding scale and no general hardship waiver.

The $630 adult fee has been stable for more than a decade. Here is how fees have changed over time:

The last major increase happened in 2015, when the processing fee jumped from $200 to $530. IRCC has floated fee changes in several federal budgets since, but the current $630 adult fee has remained in effect through April 2026. If IRCC announces a future increase, applications already in the queue are locked at the fee that was in effect on the submission date.

The $630 CAD adult fee sits in the middle of the pack compared with peer countries. All figures are converted to CAD at April 2026 rates and include the core government application/naturalization fee only (not test, ceremony, or document costs):

Canada's fee is significantly lower than the UK or US but higher than most of continental Europe. Unlike some countries, Canada's fee includes the citizenship test, the oath ceremony, and certificate — so the "all-in" government cost is closer to what you pay upfront.

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