What Are the Costs for Immigrating to Canada Across All Categories?

Canada is highly regarded for its excellent quality of life, well-developed public education system, and access to healthcare services.

Other important factors that make Canada an attractive country internationally include its multicultural population and friendly immigration policies.

Moving to a developed country like Canada is not only a significant life decision but also requires a substantial financial commitment.

In the following article, ImmiPath will share a comprehensive breakdown of the costs of Canadian immigration for various types of applications – Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and family sponsorship costs. Do not miss it!

1. How Much Does It Cost to Immigrate to Canada?

The amount of money needed to immigrate to Canada depends on the immigration pathway you choose. Currently, there are several immigration routes to Canada, including:

1.1. How Much Does It Cost to Immigrate to Canada via Express Entry?

Generally, as an individual applicant, you will need approximately CAD 15,500 to immigrate to Canada.

Couples will need around CAD 21,000, while families with children will require between CAD 25,000 and CAD 30,000. ImmiPath provides a detailed analysis of the anticipated costs for Canadian immigration as follows:

Fee Type	Notes	Individual	Couple	Couple + 1 Child	Couple + 2 Children
Language Test (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF)	Average Cost	CAD 300	CAD 600	CAD 600	CAD 600
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)	Does not include international shipping fees	CAD 200	CAD 400	CAD 400	CAD 400
Biometrics	Fee remains the same for 2 or more people if all register at the same time and location	CAD 85	CAD 170	CAD 170	CAD 170
Medical Examination	Average cost; fees vary by country	CAD 100	CAD 200	CAD 300	CAD 400
Application Processing Fee		CAD 850	CAD 1,700	CAD 1,930	CAD 2,160
Permanent Residency Fee		CAD 515	CAD 1,030	CAD 1,030	CAD 1,030
Other Fees (police certificates, transcripts, shipping, photos, notarizations, translations, etc.)	Average cost (assumed)	CAD 250	CAD 500	CAD 600	CAD 700
Proof of Funds	Not applicable for Canadian Experience Class (CEC)	CAD 13,757	CAD 17,127	CAD 21,055	CAD 25,564
Total		CAD 16,057	CAD 21,727	CAD 26,085	CAD 31,024

1.2. Immigration to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

For those applying through the PNP, additional application fees are required based on the province to which they are applying. Here is an overview of provincial fees to help clarify how much it costs to immigrate to Canada through PNP:

PNP	Fee (CAD)
Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)	500
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)	1,150
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)	500
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)	250
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)	250
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)	0
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)	1,500 or 2,000
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEIPNP)	300
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)	350

Note:

• Quebec has a separate immigration program for skilled workers.
• The territories – Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon – have PNP programs driven by business or employer job offers.

1.3. Cost of Immigrating to Canada through International Experience Canada (IEC) – Working Holiday Visa

The IEC program allows eligible individuals to apply for a working holiday visa, enabling youth from over 30 countries to live and work in Canada. 

These are countries that have agreements with Canada to allow their citizens to apply for IEC work permits. The permit is valid for 12 or 24 months, depending on your nationality. Detailed information about the scheme is available on the Government website.

Here is an overview of the costs for Canadian immigration associated with the IEC program:

Fee Type	Cost (CAD)
IEC Participation Fee	156
Open Work Permit Fee	100
Biometrics Fee	85
Medical Examination (if required)	Varies; average cost: 100
Minimum Amount to Support Your Stay	2,500
Health Insurance	Starting from around 400 CAD per year, varies by coverage and deductible

Having sufficient funds to support your application process and living expenses in Canada is essential when applying for immigration. You should familiarize yourself with the limits set by the Canadian government to confidently plan your immigration costs.

1.4. Cost of Immigrating to Canada through Family Sponsorship

The costs associated with family sponsorship for immigrating to Canada are a common concern. ImmiPath provides a detailed breakdown of the Canadian immigration fees for family reunification to help you plan your application and finances effectively:

Application Type	Fee (CAD)
Sponsorship Application (per application)	75
Principal Applicant	490
Principal Applicant, if under 19 and not a spouse or common-law partner (including dependent children, adopted children, and siblings, nieces, or nephews)	75
Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner of the principal applicant, or if transitional provisions apply, family members of the principal applicant aged 22 or older	570
Family members of the principal applicant under 22 who are not a spouse or common-law partner, or those 22 or older who have been unable to support themselves due to physical or mental conditions since before age 22	155
Family member of the principal applicant (when transitional provisions apply): Under 22, unmarried, and without a common-law relationship 22 or older and unable to self-support due to physical or mental conditions since before age 22	155

2. How Much Money Can You Bring When Immigrating to Canada?

Many people who seek advice from ImmiPath about immigrating to Canada often ask, “How much cash can I bring when moving to Canada?“

When immigrating to Canada, you are allowed to bring up to CAD 10,000 or its equivalent in USD without having to declare it.

However, in Vietnam, you are only allowed to carry a maximum of USD 5,000 when departing. If you are bringing more than CAD 10,000, you will need to declare it on the Declaration Card. If the amount is legal and for a valid purpose, you will be permitted to keep the money with no further issues.

In addition to cash, you can also bring gold. You need to declare it at customs if the weight is up to 300 grams. If it’s over 1 kilogram, you will need to obtain a permit from the bank where you live, along with submitting a financial immigration document package that includes an application to carry foreign currency out of the country, a copy of your passport, and a translated document with a notarized signature from an authorized agency.

ImmiPath suggests that there’s no need to bring a large amount of cash to Canada, as the transfer fee for a single transaction is $15 (RBC) – $25 (other banks).

At the airport, on the plane, and in the city, you still run the risk of losing money, as payments in Canada are typically made by credit card rather than cash.

3. How Much Money Is Needed to Live Comfortably in Canada?

Compared to other countries, Canada is known for its high cost of living, but it also has many undeniable qualities that make it attractive.

Some people worry that moving to Canada might be too expensive or complicated because, after all the paperwork, you still need to manage living expenses and may not know how much is needed to live comfortably in Canada.

ImmiPath highlights the following expenses to help you consider the amenities and benefits of living in Canada and prepare well for a comfortable settlement!

3.1 Cost of Living in Canada for an Individual

An individual wanting to live in Canada might need to spend at least $1,708 per month. However, this is just the basic cost of living and not necessarily the cost for a comfortable lifestyle.

If you account for typical luxuries and the ability to save money after paying rent each month, you might need to spend an average of $2,771 per month.

3.2 Cost of Living in Canada for a Couple

Canada is an ideal place for couples to live together. However, the cost of living for a couple can be high, averaging around $3,500 per month. The ideal amount for a comfortable lifestyle for a couple in Canada should be around $50,000 per year.

3.3 Cost of Living in Canada for a Family

Naturally, if you have a family, the cost of living will increase. You should ensure you can afford at least the minimum of $3,911 per month for a family of four. The recommended amount you should have each month to ensure a prosperous and comfortable lifestyle for your family is $5,230.

3.4 Cost of Living in Canada by Province

Canada has ten provinces and three territories. Depending on where you choose to live, the average cost of living can vary significantly. By looking at average rental costs, you can gauge the affordability of each province.

Average Rental Costs

• British Columbia: $2,034
• Alberta: $1,669
• Saskatchewan: $1,507
• Manitoba: $1,523
• Québec: $1,602
• Newfoundland and Labrador: $1,463
• Prince Edward Island: $1,409
• Ontario: $1,877
• New Brunswick: $1,369
• Nova Scotia: $1,595

As you can see, provinces with higher population densities and major cities tend to have higher average rental costs. Vancouver in British Columbia and Toronto in Ontario are known for their higher living expenses. Make sure to research the specific city and province you plan to move to in Canada.

3.5 What are the Average House Prices in Canada?

Looking at average home prices also provides useful indicators of the cost of living in each province. British Columbia has the highest average home prices nationwide, while New Brunswick has the lowest.

Average Home Prices

• British Columbia: $913,471
• Alberta: $401,706
• Saskatchewan: $286,000
• Manitoba: $321,504
• Québec: $459,955
• Newfoundland and Labrador: $321,700
• Prince Edward Island: $335,202
• Ontario: $887,290
• New Brunswick: $262,200
• Nova Scotia: $356,757

4. What are the Transportation Costs in Canada?

Depending on where you live, transportation options may vary. Generally, you might need to pay around $100 per month if you are a student or a regular worker needing transportation, or $1,000 per year.

If you are using public transportation in smaller, non-metropolitan cities, you may find transportation to be more expensive or less convenient. In such cases, many people opt to purchase their own vehicles.

Owning a car can offer more convenience for commuting in urban areas and may be cheaper in the long run. Many people start by biking, but this might not be feasible depending on your city or weather conditions.

In addition to road transportation costs, you might also need to consider the increasing need for air travel if you need to travel from one coast to the other. Canada is very large, and public transportation may not be sufficient for long-distance travel.

4.1 What are the Healthcare Costs for Settling in Canada?

Healthcare in Canada is free for Canadian citizens. This means you do not need to pay directly for doctor’s visits, emergency room visits, or other medical services, except for small fees like parking and indirect costs.

If you are an international settler, you may want to purchase a health insurance policy. The cost of health insurance will vary by province, as with other expenses. Some provinces might even cover your healthcare costs.

Health insurance policies generally range from CAD 300 to 800 per year, depending on where you live in Canada.

4.2 Are the Taxes Cheap in Canada?

Taxes in Canada are known to be quite high. However, they play a crucial role in the country by stabilizing the Canadian economy, ensuring universal healthcare, and providing other benefits to Canadian residents.

Notably, Canada does not tax the first CAD 11,000 of your income, and the remaining income tax rates range from 4% to 13%, depending on the province you reside in.

5. So How Much Money is Needed to Immigrate to Canada?

The cost of immigrating to Canada varies depending on the immigration pathway you choose. To ensure a smooth process and cover all required fees, it is advisable to seek services from a reputable and high-quality immigration consultancy.

If any required documents are missing or if financial proof is insufficient, your application could be rejected, extending the time for reunion and settlement.

If you have any further questions about “How much money is needed to immigrate to Canada,” please comment below the post with your email and phone number. The team at ImmiPath will assist and advise you to make your journey to Canada as smooth as possible.