Cost of Moving to Canada in 2026: Every Official Fee
Three numbers decide the cost of a move to Canada: the government fee for your application, the settlement funds you must prove, and the rent in the city you choose. The first two are published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The third comes from the national housing agency, CMHC. This guide puts them side by side, with the customs rules for your belongings, as read on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
A permanent residence application through Express Entry costs $1,590 per adult, including the right of permanent residence fee, and $270 per child. A single applicant must show $15,263 in settlement funds, and a family of four $28,362. A work permit costs $155, a study permit $150 and biometrics $85. Average two-bedroom rents in CMHC's latest annual report range from $1,277 in Quebec City to $2,363 in Vancouver. All amounts are in Canadian dollars.
1. Application fees
| Application | Fee in Canadian dollars |
|---|---|
| Economic immigration, including Express Entry: your application, with the right of permanent residence fee | 1,590.00 |
| The same, without the right of permanent residence fee | 990.00 |
| Include your spouse or partner | 1,590.00 |
| Include a dependent child | 270.00 per child |
| Work permit, per person | 155.00 |
| Open work permit holder fee | 100.00 |
| Study permit, per person | 150.00 |
| International Experience Canada fee | 184.75 |
| Visitor visa, per person | 100.00 |
| Electronic Travel Authorization | 7.00 |
| Sponsor your spouse or partner | 1,260.00 |
These amounts come from IRCC's fee list, last modified on 21 September 2026.
Biometrics
- Per individual: $85.00
- Per family of 2 or more people applying at the same time: a maximum of $170.00
Citizens of certain countries and territories give biometrics when they apply for a visitor visa, study permit or work permit.
2. Settlement funds
Proof of funds is how you show IRCC that you have enough money to settle. It is required for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. The table on IRCC's page is marked as updated July 7, 2025, on a page dated 22 June 2026.
| Number of family members | Funds you need (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $15,263 |
| 2 | $19,001 |
| 3 | $23,360 |
| 4 | $28,362 |
| 5 | $32,168 |
| 6 | $36,280 |
| 7 | $40,392 |
| Each additional family member | $4,112 |
- Family size counts everyone. Include your spouse or partner and dependent children even if they are not coming with you.
- Who is exempt. You do not need proof of funds if you apply under the Canadian Experience Class, or if you are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer.
- What does not count. You cannot use equity in real property, and you cannot borrow the money from another person.
- The proof. Official bank letters showing account balances, the average balance for the past 6 months and your outstanding debts.
- How the figure is set. IRCC updates the numbers every year, based on 50% of the low income cut-off totals.
The working holiday route has its own, smaller requirement. British citizens applying under International Experience Canada must have a minimum of CAN$2,500, plus health insurance for the whole stay.
3. Rent
The Government of Canada tells newcomers that most Canadians spend 35% to 50% of their income on housing and utilities. These are average two-bedroom rents for purpose-built rental homes in CMHC's 2025 Rental Market Report:
| City | Average two-bedroom rent | Vacancy rate |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | $2,363 | 3.7% |
| Victoria | $2,120 | 3.3% |
| Greater Toronto Area | $2,034 | 3.0% |
| Ottawa | $1,926 | 3.0% |
| Calgary | $1,914 | 5.0% |
| Halifax | $1,826 | 2.7% |
| Edmonton | $1,603 | 3.8% |
| Winnipeg | $1,571 | 2.8% |
| Montréal | $1,346 | 2.9% |
| Quebec City | $1,277 | 2.4% |
CMHC's mid-year update of June 9, 2026 reports that asking rents are continuing to decline in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, and that Ottawa has joined that group.
4. Bringing your belongings
The Canada Border Services Agency lets a person settling in Canada for the first time bring personal and household effects duty- and tax-free. Its guidance sets conditions:
- Prepare two copies of a list of all the goods you intend to bring, with value, make, model and serial number where applicable.
- Divide the list in two: goods you are bringing with you, and goods to follow. Goods that arrive later qualify only if they are on the original list.
- Describe jewellery item by item, ideally with the wording of your insurance policy or appraisal.
- Eligible: clothing, furniture, appliances, books, personal computers, musical instruments and personal vehicles, among others.
- Not eligible: a house or large trailer used as a residence, and any goods used commercially. These are subject to regular duty and taxes.
- Extra allowance: a duty- and tax-free personal exemption of a maximum of CAN$800 for goods acquired abroad or in transit.
5. First weeks
- Social Insurance Number: the 9-digit number you need to work or access government programs.
- A room or a flat: the Government of Canada's guide says you will likely pay at least $350 a month to rent a room.
- Driving: you need a licence issued by your province or territory.
6. Later costs
| Step | Fee in Canadian dollars |
|---|---|
| Permanent resident card | 50.00 |
| Citizenship application, adult | 653.00 |
| Citizenship application, minor | 100.00 |
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to immigrate to Canada?
For the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs, a single applicant must show $15,263 in settlement funds and a family of four $28,362, on top of the $1,590 application fee per adult.
How much is the Express Entry application fee?
$1,590.00 per adult including the right of permanent residence fee, or $990.00 without it, and $270.00 per dependent child.
Do I need proof of funds with a job offer?
Not if you are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer, or if you apply under the Canadian Experience Class.
How much is rent in Canada?
Average two-bedroom rents in CMHC's 2025 report ranged from $1,277 in Quebec City to $2,363 in Vancouver, with the Greater Toronto Area at $2,034.
Do I pay customs duty on my household goods?
First-time settlers can include personal and household effects in a duty- and tax-free entitlement. Goods that follow later must be on the original list, and goods used commercially are not eligible.
How much does a Canadian work permit cost?
$155.00 per person, plus $85.00 for biometrics where required.
How much do I need for a Canadian working holiday?
British citizens need a minimum of CAN$2,500 and health insurance for the stay, plus the International Experience Canada fee of $184.75.
Official sources
- IRCC — Citizenship and immigration application fees: fee list (21 September 2026)
- IRCC — Express Entry: proof of funds
- IRCC — International Experience Canada: who can apply
- CMHC — Rental Market Report
- CMHC — 2026 Mid-Year Rental Market Update
- Canada Border Services Agency — Moving or returning to Canada
- Government of Canada — Settling in Canada
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. Fees and settlement funds are revised from time to time, so check IRCC before you apply. The border agency's page on belongings is dated 2018. Information, not financial advice.