Immigration fees for citizenship increase today, March 31, with PR fee hikes set for April 30. Conservatives call for action on student fraud, and over 3,000 IEC candidates are invited.
Financial Adjustments and Integrity Reforms: New Fees and Strict Oversight for Spring 2026
As of March 31, 2026, Canada’s immigration system is undergoing a scheduled fiscal update while facing intense political pressure to resolve system loopholes. From the first phase of fee increases to an emergency motion on student visa integrity, the government is balancing operational costs with the need for public trust.
Phase 1: Citizenship Fee Increase Effective Today
As part of an annual inflation-linked adjustment under the Service Fees Act, the cost of becoming a Canadian citizen has increased as of March 31, 2026.
Key Fee Updates:
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Right of Citizenship Fee: Increased from $119.75 to **$123.00**.
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Total Adult Cost: Now $653.00 (including the unchanged $530 processing fee).
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Next Milestone: A more substantial increase affecting all Permanent Residence (PR) categories will take effect on April 30, 2026, including the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) rising to $600.
Political Surge: Conservatives Demand Action on Student Fraud
Following a critical report from the Auditor General, Conservative Shadow Minister Michelle Rempel Garner has moved an emergency motion at the Immigration Committee.
The Motion Calls For:
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Full Investigation: IRCC must investigate all 153,000 cases of suspected student visa fraud flagged by the Auditor General.
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Monthly Reporting: The department must provide progress updates starting May 15, 2026.
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Identity Sharing: Providing the names of individuals who entered on fraudulent documents to the IRB to ensure no further visas or status are granted.
Case Study: Accreditation Crisis for Internationally Trained Midwives
The case of Heather Gilchrist, a Scottish-born midwife, has highlighted a significant “paperwork snafu” in BC’s healthcare recruitment. Despite completing UBC’s bridging program, Gilchrist is being forced to leave Canada due to a refused work permit.
The Situation:
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The Refusal: IRCC denied her permit for a “missing English test,” which she claims was not clearly requested on the portal.
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Systemic Error: Even after uploading the test results, officials refused to recognize the UBC program as a valid pathway for her specific permit type.
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Impact: BC remains critically short of midwives, and Gilchrist’s departure leaves Victoria patients without care after she spent over $65,000 on her relocation and training.
IEC Update: 3,167 New Invitations Issued
Between March 14 and March 27, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) maintained its high-volume rounds for the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.
Draw Highlights:
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Recent ITAs: 3,167 invitations issued across three categories (Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op).
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Total 2026 ITAs: 53,309 (a record-setting pace).
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Top Inviting Countries: Japan (869 ITAs), France (462 ITAs), and United Kingdom (367 ITAs).
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Pool Status: Over 31,000 candidates are currently registered and awaiting selection.
Why Choose Go Canada Services?
Go Canada Services (est. 2004) is the only Canadian Incorporation providing holistic Academic, Immigration, Integration, and Legal Services. We help you pay your fees correctly before the April 30th hike and represent you in complex work permit refusals.
Our Core Services:
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Permanent Residence Canada: Strategic advice to finalize your PR application before the April 30th fee increase.
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Citizenship Applications: Handling the new 2026 fee structure and residency requirements.
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Work Permit Appeals: Specialized legal help for internationally trained health professionals like midwives and nurses.
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Free Immigration Assessment: Evaluate your 2026 eligibility for the latest IEC pools.
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Contact Our Experts: Personalized consultation to avoid “paperwork snafus” and arbitrary IRCC refusals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Canada Immigration Fee Hikes
1. How much is the total citizenship fee as of March 31, 2026?
The total cost for an adult applicant is now $653.00, consisting of the $530 processing fee and the new $123 Right of Citizenship fee.
2. When do the Permanent Residence (PR) fees increase?
All PR processing and Right of Permanent Residence fees will increase on April 30, 2026.
3. What happens if I paid the old PR fee but haven’t submitted yet?
If your application is received on or after April 30, you must pay the new rate. If you paid the old rate, you may be asked to pay the difference before your application is processed.
4. Why is there a motion regarding international student fraud?
Conservatives are pushing IRCC to investigate 153,000 cases where students allegedly failed to attend school or used fraudulent documents, following an Auditor General report.
5. How many people are waiting in the IEC pool?
As of March 27, 2026, there are 31,077 candidates registered in the IEC pools awaiting an invitation.
6. Can internationally trained midwives work in BC?
Yes, but they must complete a bridging program (like the one at UBC). However, securing the correct work permit is currently a complex bureaucratic challenge.
7. I’m a Scottish healthcare worker. Can I avoid the English test?
Even native speakers are often required to provide proof of proficiency to meet standard IRCC checklists. You should Contact Our Experts to ensure your specific program accreditation is recognized to avoid the “domino effect” of a permit refusal.
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Secure Your Status Before Policies Change
With the government actively reducing temporary residents but inviting those already here (CEC), your strategy matters more than ever. Let Go Canada Services help you secure your Permanent Residence.