Paying the $575 CAD Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) upfront when you submit your PR application can speed up your IRCC processing by weeks or even months. If your application is refused or you withdraw it before officially landing in Canada, this fee is automatically refunded to you.
Getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence is an exciting moment. 🎉 Whether you are applying through Express Entry, a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Manitoba, or a spousal sponsorship in Ontario, you will face several different government fees. One of the most important is the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF).
Many applicants get confused about when to pay this specific fee. Should you pay it right away, or wait until the government asks for it? Generally, paying it upfront is the smartest strategy to avoid unnecessary processing delays. Let us explore how the RPRF works, why it matters, and how the automatic refund process functions if things do not go as planned. 💰
Step-by-Step Process in Canada
Because immigration is federally regulated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the RPRF rules apply to everyone, whether you intend to settle in Calgary, Toronto, or Halifax. Here is the standard process most applicants experience regarding the RPRF.
Step 1: Deciding When to Pay
When you fill out your PR application online, the portal will give you the option to pay just the processing fee or to pay both the processing fee and the RPRF together. Most immigration law firms strongly advise paying both upfront. If you wait, the IRCC will eventually send you a formal request letter, which completely pauses your file until they receive the money. ⏳
Step 2: Making the Payment Securely
Payments must be made through the IRCC secure online portal using a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) or a Canadian debit card. Make sure your bank allows large transactions, as the total fees for a couple can exceed $3,000 CAD. Always keep a digital copy of the receipt with the barcode. 🤝
Step 3: Responding to an RPRF Request Letter
If you chose not to pay upfront, you will receive an RPRF request letter near the end of your processing timeline. You usually have 30 days to pay the fee and upload the receipt to your IRCC secure account. Failing to upload the receipt within the deadline can result in your PR application being abandoned. 📝
Step 4: The Automatic Refund Process
If your PR application is unfortunately refused, or if you decide to withdraw it before you become a permanent resident, you do not lose the RPRF. The IRCC automatically initiates a refund. You do not need to fill out a special form to get this money back; it is processed systematically. 💲
Step 5: Receiving the Funds
The IRCC will send the refund directly back to the original credit card used for the payment. If that credit card has expired or the account was closed during the long processing wait, the government will issue a physical cheque in Canadian dollars and mail it to your address on file. 📬
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Immigration fees are set by the federal government and are occasionally adjusted for inflation. As of May 2026, here are the standard permanent residence fees in Canadian dollars (CAD):
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): The fee is currently set at $575 CAD per adult applicant.
- Principal Applicant Processing Fee: For most economic programs (like Express Entry), the processing fee is $850 CAD. Combined with the RPRF, an individual pays $1,425 CAD upfront.
- Spouse or Partner Fees: A spouse must also pay the $850 CAD processing fee and the $575 CAD RPRF.
- Dependent Children: Children under the age of 22 are entirely exempt from paying the RPRF, though they do have a separate $230 CAD processing fee.
| Application Status | Processing Fee Refundable? | RPRF Refundable? |
| Application Refused by IRCC | No | Yes, Automatically |
| Application Withdrawn by You | Only if processing hasn’t started | Yes, Automatically |
| You Landed and became a PR | No | No, service completed |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Paying the RPRF upfront is one of the best ways to keep your processing timeline short. If you wait for the IRCC to request the fee, it can easily add 1 to 2 months of waiting time to your application, as an officer has to manually pause your file, send the letter, wait for you to upload the receipt, and then resume their review. 📅
If you are waiting for an RPRF refund because of a refusal or withdrawal, the timeline is generally 4 to 8 weeks. If the refund has to be issued via a physical paper cheque because your original credit card was cancelled, international mailing times can extend this wait to 12 weeks or more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I pay the RPRF later if I don’t have the money now?
Yes. You are only legally required to pay the processing fees when submitting your application. You can choose to wait until the IRCC specifically sends you a request for the RPRF, but be aware this will delay your final approval.
What happens if my credit card expires before the refund?
If the IRCC attempts to refund the RPRF to a closed or expired credit card, the transaction will fail. The IRCC financial department will then automatically issue a physical cheque in CAD and mail it to the current address listed on your file.
Do my dependent children need to pay the RPRF?
No. Under Canadian immigration law, dependent children (typically under the age of 22 and unmarried) are completely exempt from the Right of Permanent Residence Fee.
Will paying upfront guarantee my PR application is approved?
No. Paying the RPRF upfront does not influence the officer’s decision on your eligibility or background checks. It simply prevents administrative delays if you are eventually approved.
How do I notify the IRCC that I paid the fee later?
If you receive a request letter, you will pay the fee online and save the PDF receipt. You must then log into your IRCC secure account and upload that specific PDF in the document checklist section where it asks for proof of payment.
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