The Canadian citizenship application fee is set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and must be paid at the time you submit your application. For most adult applicants — those 18 and older — the total fee is $630 CAD, which covers both the processing component and the right of citizenship ceremony fee. This is a non-refundable fee once your application has been submitted and processing has begun, so understanding exactly what you're paying for and when is essential before you file.
The fee structure varies by applicant type. Adults pay $630 CAD, while minors under 18 pay a reduced fee of $100 CAD, which represents the right of citizenship component — the processing fee for minors is waived when they apply concurrently with a parent or on their own. Meeting all canadian citizenship requirements is a prerequisite before you can submit your application and trigger the fee payment process.
Canadian citizenship fees have evolved significantly over the years. The current $630 CAD total for adults reflects a 2014 fee increase that raised the adult fee from $200 to $530 for processing plus $100 for the right of citizenship — the first major fee restructuring in decades. These fees are periodically reviewed and can change, so applicants should always verify the current fee schedule on the official IRCC website before submitting their application package and payment.
For applicants living outside Canada, the citizenship fee must still be paid in Canadian dollars through IRCC's secure online payment portal. Currency conversion applies based on the exchange rate at the time of payment. At recent CAD/USD exchange rates, the $630 CAD adult fee translates to approximately $460-$475 USD, though this figure fluctuates with market conditions. Applicants should budget for this conversion and use IRCC's official payment portal rather than third-party payment services.
Understanding the fee is just one piece of the financial picture. Beyond the application fee itself, applicants typically incur additional costs for document preparation, certified translations, identity photos, and potentially legal or immigration consultant fees if they choose professional assistance. Planning for these total costs — not just the IRCC fee — gives you a realistic picture of what getting how to get canadian citizenship will cost end to end.
The adult citizenship fee of $630 CAD is comprised of two distinct components. The processing fee — $530 CAD — covers the cost of reviewing your application, conducting background checks, verifying your physical presence calculations, and scheduling your citizenship knowledge test and interview. The right of citizenship fee — $100 CAD — covers the cost of administering your oath of citizenship ceremony once your application is approved. Both components are paid together at the time of application submission.
The processing fee covers the entire administrative review of your application from submission to decision. This includes the officer review of your supporting documents, the physical presence calculation review, coordination with the RCMP for criminal record checks, and scheduling of your citizenship knowledge test. If IRCC requires you to come in for an interview — which is mandatory for some applicants and discretionary for others — that interview is also covered by the processing fee. You don't pay additional fees for follow-up steps within the standard application process.
The right of citizenship fee is sometimes confused with a separate ceremony admission charge, but it's not — it's simply a component of the overall filing fee that funds the administration of citizenship ceremonies nationwide. Once you pay it as part of your application, you attend your ceremony at no additional cost. The ceremony itself is a significant event where you take the Oath of Citizenship and officially become a Canadian citizen, and your certificate of citizenship is issued on the same day.
What the fee does not cover: language testing (if you need a third-party language assessment), document translation (certified translations of non-English and non-French documents are required and must be paid separately), identity photographs, and postage or courier fees for physical documents. If IRCC issues a Request for Documents and you need additional certified documents, those costs are also outside the scope of the application fee. Budget approximately $200-$400 CAD in ancillary costs on top of the $630 application fee for a typical adult application.
It's also worth understanding what happens to your fee if your circumstances change mid-process. Moving to a new address, changing your name, or experiencing other life changes after submitting don't require a new application or additional fees — you notify IRCC through your online account. But if you choose to withdraw your application voluntarily after processing begins, the fee is forfeited. There's no partial credit for work IRCC has already completed, which makes it essential to be certain about your readiness to commit before you submit and pay.
For permanent residents 18 and older applying to become Canadian citizens. Total fee: $630 CAD ($530 processing + $100 right of citizenship). This is the most common application type for newcomers who have completed their residency requirement.
For children under 18 applying concurrently with a parent or independently. Total fee: $100 CAD (right of citizenship only — processing fee waived). Minors applying after a parent's citizenship is granted may also use this pathway.
For existing Canadian citizens who need a replacement citizenship certificate or certified copy. Fee: $75 CAD. This is not a new citizenship application — it's for those who already hold citizenship and need documentation of it.
For former Canadian citizens who renounced or lost their citizenship and wish to reclaim it. Eligibility and fee requirements differ from standard grant applications — contact IRCC for current fees and eligibility before applying.
IRCC requires all citizenship application fees to be paid online through the official IRCC Secure Payment system. This applies to both paper applications submitted by mail and online applications submitted through a GCKey or Sign-In Canada account. You cannot pay by cash, money order, or cheque at an IRCC office — all payments must flow through the online portal. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Visa Debit, and Mastercard Debit cards. Prepaid credit cards are accepted if they have a registered billing address.
For paper applications, the process involves visiting the IRCC payment portal, entering the fee category and quantity, paying online, and printing your payment receipt. The payment receipt contains a unique receipt number that must be included with your physical application package — IRCC will not process an application submitted without a valid payment receipt. Keep a digital copy of your receipt in addition to the printed version in case your mailed package is delayed or lost.
For online applications submitted through a GCKey account, payment is integrated directly into the submission flow. You complete your application forms, upload your documents, and pay the fee at the final step before submitting. The system generates an electronic receipt automatically and links it to your application file. You can track your payment status and application progress through the same online account where you submitted.
Payment must be made using a card that matches the applicant's information or that of a designated payer. IRCC does not accept third-party payment arrangements through intermediaries outside the official portal. Immigration consultants or lawyers assisting you may facilitate payment on your behalf through the portal, but the payment must still flow through IRCC's secure system — not through a personal bank transfer to the consultant. Those pursuing canadian citizenship by descent follow the same payment process, though their supporting documentation requirements differ significantly from standard residency-based applicants.
Paying your Canadian citizenship fee online through the IRCC portal follows these steps regardless of whether you're filing a paper or digital application.
Step 1: Go to the IRCC website and navigate to the "Pay fees" section under Citizenship. Select "Grant of Canadian Citizenship" as the fee category and enter the number of applicants (1 adult, 1 child, family group, etc.).
Step 2: The system calculates the total automatically based on your selections. Review the amount carefully before proceeding — the fee is non-refundable once payment is processed.
Step 3: Enter your payment card details. Accepted cards: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Visa Debit, Mastercard Debit, and eligible prepaid cards with a registered billing address.
Step 4: Upon successful payment, you'll receive a confirmation page and an email receipt containing your unique payment reference number. Print the receipt and/or save the PDF — you'll need this for your application.
Families or groups can pay for multiple citizenship applicants in a single payment transaction. The IRCC payment portal allows you to specify the number of adult applicants and minor applicants separately, and calculates the combined total automatically.
Example: Two adults + one minor = $630 + $630 + $100 = $1,360 CAD. One payment receipt covering all three applicants is generated and must be included with all application packages when submitting by mail, or matched to each applicant's online file.
Important: If family members are submitting separate application packages (e.g., mailed to different addresses for processing efficiency), each applicant should have their own payment receipt clearly linked to their individual package. Do not include one receipt with multiple separate application packages — this causes processing delays.
Some applicants are exempt from one or both components of the citizenship fee. Understanding your exemption status can save you from paying fees you don't owe.
Processing fee exemptions: Minors under 18 are exempt from the $530 processing fee whether they apply concurrently with a parent or independently. The $100 right of citizenship fee still applies to minors.
Full exemptions: IRCC may waive fees entirely for protected persons (Convention refugees and persons in similar circumstances) who meet specific criteria. The exemption is not automatic — you must apply for it using the appropriate form and demonstrate eligibility.
Not exempt but eligible for waivers: Applicants experiencing severe financial hardship may apply for a fee waiver. The waiver is discretionary and requires documentation. See the "Fee Waivers" tab for details.
IRCC offers fee waivers for Canadian citizenship applications in specific circumstances. A fee waiver is not the same as a fee exemption — it requires a formal application and approval before you submit your citizenship application.
Who can apply for a waiver: Applicants who can demonstrate that paying the citizenship fee would create a significant financial hardship. Waiver eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis and is discretionary.
How to apply: Complete the fee waiver request form available on the IRCC website and submit it before or concurrently with your citizenship application. Include documentation of your financial situation: bank statements, income statements, benefit records, or other evidence of financial hardship.
Processing time note: Fee waiver requests add processing time. IRCC must review and decide the waiver request before processing your citizenship application. If your waiver is denied, you'll be notified and given the opportunity to pay the fee and proceed. Plan for additional time in your overall citizenship timeline if you're pursuing a fee waiver.
Your payment receipt is one of the most important documents in your citizenship application package. It contains a unique receipt number that IRCC uses to match your payment to your application in their system. For paper applications, the receipt must be physically included in your mailed package — not stapled to your forms, but included as a loose document or clearly attached per the checklist instructions. For online applications, the receipt is automatically matched to your digital file upon submission.
IRCC sends an acknowledgment of receipt notice after your application package is received and initially reviewed. This acknowledgment — not your payment receipt — marks the official start of your processing clock. Don't confuse the payment receipt with the application acknowledgment: the payment receipt only confirms that money was collected; the acknowledgment confirms that your complete application file has been received and entered into the processing queue.
If your application is returned because it's incomplete, the fee situation depends on whether processing has begun. Applications returned before processing begins typically receive a full refund of the processing fee component ($530 CAD for adults), with the right of citizenship fee retained. If processing has started and IRCC discovers a completeness issue, no refund is issued — you would need to reapply and pay the fee again. This underscores the importance of submitting a complete, accurate package the first time.
For applicants who need to update their payment information after submission — for example, if your card was disputed — IRCC has a process for reprocessing payments. Contact IRCC directly through their official web form or phone number (not through third-party representatives) to address payment issues. Delays in resolving payment issues can pause your application processing, so address any payment problems immediately upon becoming aware of them.
Before paying, confirm you meet all residency, language, and knowledge requirements. Gather your supporting documents — physical presence calculation, tax records, photos, passport copies — so your application is complete at submission.
Fill out CIT 0002 (grant of citizenship for adults) or the appropriate form for your applicant type. Complete all sections accurately. Do not submit before your application is complete — an incomplete application may be returned without refund.
Visit the IRCC website and navigate to citizenship fee payment. Select the correct fee category and number of applicants. Pay by credit or debit card. Print and save your payment receipt with the unique receipt number.
For paper applications, include your payment receipt in the mailed package. For online applications, submit through your GCKey account — payment and application are linked automatically. Keep copies of everything you submit.
IRCC mails or emails your acknowledgment of receipt once your complete application is entered into the processing queue. This is your official confirmation that processing has begun. Processing timelines vary by IRCC office volume.
IRCC recognizes that the $630 CAD citizenship application fee can represent a significant financial burden for some applicants. Fee waivers are available for those who can demonstrate genuine financial hardship, though they're not automatically granted and require a formal application. Applicants who receive social assistance, have no income, or can document significant financial constraints are the most likely to qualify. The waiver request is submitted on the fee waiver request form, available on the IRCC website, and requires supporting financial documentation.
Protected persons — Convention refugees and persons in similar circumstances who received protected person status in Canada — are eligible for a fee exemption (not just a waiver) from certain IRCC fees. This exemption reflects Canada's commitment to facilitating the integration of those who have been granted protection. Protected persons should verify their exemption eligibility directly with IRCC before paying, as exemptions must be claimed through the appropriate form rather than simply omitting the payment.
Some provincial and territorial settlement agencies offer financial assistance programs to help newcomers cover the cost of citizenship applications. Organizations funded through IRCC's Settlement Program in provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec sometimes have small grants or interest-free loans available specifically for citizenship application fees. Checking with a local settlement services organization before applying can uncover funding options that many applicants don't know about.
It's worth noting that unlike some immigration application fees — such as express entry fees for permanent residence — the citizenship processing fee cannot be paid in installments. It must be paid in full at submission. There's no payment plan option through IRCC. If you're unable to pay the full amount at once, the fee waiver process is the only official pathway. Planning your citizenship application timeline to coincide with a period of financial stability is a practical strategy if you're currently in a difficult financial situation.
IRCC generally processes fee waiver requests without causing significant delays for eligible applicants. In practice, a waiver decision adds a few weeks to your overall timeline, but applicants who receive approval avoid the $630 fee entirely — a meaningful saving that makes the extra wait worthwhile for those who qualify.
If your financial situation improves between submitting a waiver request and receiving a decision — for example, you find new employment — you can withdraw the request and pay the standard fee, which may actually speed up your overall processing. Communicate any changes in your financial circumstances to IRCC promptly through your online account or the IRCC web form to keep your file current.
The $630 CAD IRCC application fee is the largest single cost in the citizenship process, but it's not the only expense. Planning for the full cost of obtaining Canadian citizenship requires accounting for several additional items. Certified translations of documents not in English or French are mandatory — translation costs vary by language pair and document complexity, but budget $50-$150 CAD per document for common languages, and more for less common ones. Two citizenship photos meeting IRCC specifications are also required; professional photography services at a Canada Post or photography studio typically cost $15-$25 CAD.
Supporting documents carry their own costs too. Tax notice of assessments, travel records, and police certificates from your country of origin each add to the total. Canadian police certificates are typically free through the RCMP, but foreign police certificates range from free to $100+ CAD depending on the country and its administrative fee structure. Document notarization, if required, adds further cost per document.
For applicants with complex residence calculations or prior immigration history, consulting a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or immigration lawyer is strongly advisable. Professional fees for citizenship application assistance typically range from $1,000 to $3,000 CAD depending on complexity — but that cost can be well worth it if it prevents a rejection or a lengthy delay caused by a document error. Consultants and lawyers can also help you identify whether you're truly eligible before you pay the non-refundable application fee.
After the ceremony, most new citizens apply for a Canadian passport. The current fee is $120 CAD for a 5-year adult passport or $160 CAD for a 10-year passport — entirely separate from the citizenship application fee. While not required immediately, a Canadian passport is one of the most tangible benefits of citizenship, and most new citizens apply within a few months of their ceremony.
Altogether, budget $800-$1,200 CAD for the full process from application submission through passport in hand. Those with complex situations, translation needs, or professional assistance requirements should plan toward the higher end. Applicants who meet the physical presence and other canadian citizenship requirements but are currently saving for fees can use IRCC's 12-to-18-month processing window to prepare financially before submitting.
A common mistake is paying the citizenship fee weeks or months before the application is ready to submit. The fee itself doesn't expire, but if IRCC's fee schedule changes between your payment date and your submission date, you may owe an additional amount. More importantly, paying early creates psychological pressure to submit before your application is truly complete. The payment receipt is valid as long as the fee amount matches current IRCC rates — but always verify this immediately before submission. The safest approach: prepare your complete application package first, do a final review, then pay and submit within the same session.