Canadian permanent residents planning to apply for citizenship will now need to account for a higher cost. As of midnight on March 31, 2025, the federal government has increased the right of citizenship fee for adults, marking the first adjustment to this fee in recent years.
What’s Changed in the Citizenship Fee Structure?
The citizenship fee—one of two mandatory charges for adult applicants—has risen from $100 to $119.75, bringing the total cost for adults to $649.75. This includes:
- $530 processing fee
- $119.75 right of citizenship fee
This fee revision applies exclusively to applications submitted on or after April 1, 2025. Individuals who applied online before the deadline and paid the previous rate will not be impacted. However, paper applications submitted before the deadline may be reviewed for completeness, and applicants might be required to pay the difference.
Who Is Affected by the Fee Hike?
The updated fee policy is directed at permanent residents aged 18 and above seeking Canadian citizenship. Additionally, stateless adults born to at least one Canadian parent, who were already required to pay the right of citizenship fee, are also subject to the new rate.
On the other hand, minors under 18 remain unaffected by the fee increase. Their $100 processing fee remains unchanged, and they are exempt from paying the right of citizenship fee.
How to Become a Canadian Citizen
Becoming a Canadian citizen through naturalization involves meeting a series of eligibility criteria laid out in the Citizenship Act. Applicants must:
- Hold permanent resident status
- Have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) within the last five years
- File Canadian taxes, if legally required to
- Pass the citizenship test (for those aged 18 to 54)
- Demonstrate language skills in either English or French, equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 (CLB 4)
Minors are exempt from the physical presence requirement, and applicants over the age of 54 are not required to take the test or demonstrate language ability.
Citizenship is officially granted in a ceremony, either online or in-person, during which individuals aged 14 or older must take the Oath of Citizenship.
Application Timelines and Tools
Currently, the average processing time for a Canadian citizenship application is approximately eight months. However, this timeframe may vary based on factors such as completeness of the application, individual background checks, and the volume of applications being processed.
Tools like the Canada Visa Citizenship Eligibility Calculator are available online to support applicants. These can help permanent residents assess their eligibility before starting the application process.
What’s Behind the Increase?
While the government has not released a detailed breakdown of the fee increase, such revisions are typically introduced to cover administrative costs associated with citizenship processing, including language assessments, test administration, and ceremony logistics.
This change is part of a broader pattern of regular updates to immigration-related fees, designed to ensure the sustainability and efficiency of Canada’s immigration system.
Final Thoughts
For permanent residents on the path to citizenship, the new fee structure is a small but important detail in an otherwise milestone journey. If you’re planning to apply, ensure your documents are ready, check your eligibility thoroughly, and submit your application with the correct fee to avoid delays.
Whether you’re preparing to submit your application soon or just beginning to explore the process, staying informed about changes like this can help you navigate your path to Canadian citizenship with greater ease and confidence.
