An application for a Canadian work permit doesn’t consist only of eligibility requirements. An applicant is expected to go through government fees plus other costs of making his or her application. The official work permit fee is quite reasonable, but additional costs like biometrics, medical examination, language tests, police certificates, document translations, and travel expenses etc. may make you pay a lot more money than the official permit charge.
The fee varies per the applicant’s work permit type, country of residence, and additional rules, if any are applicable to the applicant’s case. Having these costs accounted for beforehand can reduce the possibility of delays and make the whole application process much more straightforward. We have compiled the list of official Canadian work permit fees and other expenses applicants could be looking forward to in 2026.
Official Government Fees for Canadian Work Permits
- Employer-Specific Work Permit Fee
The usual cost of processing an employer-specific work permit is CAD 155 per applicant. This fee will be paid by almost all foreign workers when they apply for a work permit from a specific Canadian employer.
- Open Work Permit Fee
Applicants for an open work permit must pay:
- CAD 155 (work permit processing fee)
- CAD 100 (open work permit holder fee)
Total: CAD 255
- Biometrics Fee
Most applicants are required to provide fingerprints and a photograph as part of their application.
The fee is:
- CAD 85 for one person
- Up to CAD 170 for a family applying together
- Employer Compliance Fee
In many cases, for employer-specific work permits that are LMIA-exempt, the company is the one that will pay a so-called Employer Compliance Fee of CAD 230 before submitting the work permit application.
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Fee
Where an LMIA is required, the employer usually pays a CAD 1,000 LMIA processing fee for each position. Foreign workers are generally not responsible for paying this fee.
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Other Costs You Should Budget For
- Medical Examination
Certain applicants have to go for an immigration medical examination, which is done by an IRCC-approved panel doctor. The cost will be different according to your country of residence and the clinic; But, you can expect the price to be about CAD 100 to CAD 350 on average.
- Police Clearance Certificate
Many applicants need police certificates from countries where they have lived. Fees vary depending on the issuing country.
- Passport Costs
If your passport is expired or close to expiry, you may need to renew it before applying. Renewal fees depend on your country’s passport authority.
- Educational Credential Assessment (If Required)
In fact, for some immigration pathways, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) may be required even though the ECA is not mandatory for every Work Permit application. The price varies given the designated assessment organization.
- Document Translation
In case your supporting materials are in neither English nor French, certified translations may be needed. A translation fee depends on the volume and kind of the documents.
- Courier and Document Delivery
Applicants submitting paper documents or supporting materials may need to pay courier or postal service charges.
- Travel Expenses
After approval, applicants should budget for airfare, temporary accommodation, transportation, and other relocation costs associated with moving to Canada.
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Factors That Affect the Total Cost
The amount you spend depends on several factors, including:
- The type of work permit you are applying for.
- Whether biometrics are required.
- Whether a medical examination is necessary.
- The cost of obtaining supporting documents.
- Translation and certification fees.
- Travel and relocation expenses.
- Passport renewal costs, if applicable.
How to Pay Your Work Permit Fees
One option for candidates is to remit their work permit fees online via the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) payment portal. Most of the accepted payment methods involve the use of major credit and debit cards. Consider retaining a record of your payment receipt because you might have to submit it together with your application or show it when requested by immigration officials. There are cases where exemptions from payment of fees are allowed, so applicants had better check their requirements first before proceeding to payment.
Where to Apply
Applications for Canadian work permits should be submitted through the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
You may also apply through a Visa Application Centre (VAC) if one serves your country, depending on IRCC instructions.
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Conclusion
Having a clear picture of the cost of applying for a work permit in Canada will help you financially prepare yourself and avoid surprises of expenses. Apart from government fees, which are the official charges, the cost also includes, for example, paying for biometrics, going for a medical exam, producing documents needed for the application, and paying for travel. If you make plans early and apply with full documentation through IRCC, you will not only speed up the process but also have better odds of getting your Canadian work permit.