Author: Azadeh Haidari-Garmash, RCIC
New IRCC fees hit restoration applications hard
On This Page You Will Find:
- Exact new fee amounts for status restoration and inadmissibility applications
- Step-by-step guide to paying fee differences if you submitted before December 1
- Critical deadlines that could save or cost you hundreds of dollars
- Complete breakdown of all 2025 IRCC fee increases affecting temporary residents
- Emergency restoration options if you've lost your legal status in Canada
Summary:
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented significant fee increases on December 1, 2025, affecting thousands of international students, workers, and visitors seeking to restore their status. The restoration fee jumped from $239.75 to $246.25, while serious criminality applications now cost $1,231—a $32 increase. If you submitted an application with old fees after December 1, you'll need to pay the difference or risk processing delays. These changes follow earlier 2025 increases, including citizenship fees rising to $119.75 and removal costs skyrocketing to $12,880 for escorted removals. Understanding these new amounts is crucial for anyone planning to extend their stay or restore lost status in Canada.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Status restoration fees increased by $6.50 across all categories (visitor, worker, student)
- Applications submitted online after December 1 must pay new fees immediately
- You have 90 days maximum to restore lost status—missing this deadline means leaving Canada
- Combined restoration and new permit applications now cost up to $401.25 for workers
- IRCC won't reject applications with old fees but will request payment differences
Maria Santos stared at her laptop screen in panic. Her study permit had expired three weeks ago, and she'd just discovered the restoration fees had increased again. As an international student from Brazil, every dollar mattered—and now she faced paying $396.25 instead of the $389.75 she'd budgeted for. With only 67 days left in her 90-day restoration window, Maria needed to act fast.
If you're like Maria, navigating Canada's immigration fee increases while managing expired status, you're not alone. Thousands of temporary residents face this exact situation every month, and the December 1, 2025 fee hikes have added new urgency to an already stressful process.
What Changed on December 1, 2025
IRCC's latest fee adjustment affects multiple categories, but the impact hits hardest for those who've lost their legal status. The restoration fee—applicable to visitors, workers, and students—increased from $239.75 to $246.25, a modest but meaningful $6.50 jump.
More significantly, serious criminality inadmissibility applications rose by $32, from $1,199 to $1,231. For families dealing with criminal inadmissibility, this represents hundreds in additional costs.
The International Experience Canada (IEC) program also saw increases, with fees rising from $179.75 to $184.75. While only a $5 increase, it affects thousands of young professionals and working holiday participants annually.
Complete Fee Breakdown: What You'll Pay Now
Status Restoration Categories
Visitor Status Restoration: $246.25 (previously $239.75) This applies if you overstayed as a tourist or visitor and need to regain legal status without applying for a new visitor visa.
Worker Status Restoration: $246.25 for restoration only, or $401.25 if you need both restoration and a new work permit ($246.25 + $155). Previously, this combination cost $394.75.
Student Status Restoration: $246.25 for restoration only, or $396.25 for restoration plus a new study permit ($246.25 + $150). The previous combined cost was $389.75.
Inadmissibility Applications
These fees affect individuals with criminal records, medical issues, or other admissibility concerns:
- Authorization to return to Canada: $492.50 (up from $479.75)
- Temporary resident permit: $246.25 (up from $239.75)
- Criminality inadmissibility: $246.25 (up from $239.75)
- Serious criminality: $1,231 (up from $1,199)
International Experience Canada
The IEC fee now costs $184.75, affecting Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op participants. This $5 increase applies to all new applications submitted after December 1.
The 90-Day Restoration Window: Your Critical Deadline
Here's what many people don't realize: you have exactly 90 days from losing your status to apply for restoration. Miss this window, and you must leave Canada to reapply from your home country—a process that can take months and cost significantly more.
Sarah Kim, a software developer from South Korea, learned this the hard way. Her work permit expired on September 15, but she didn't realize until November 20. With only 25 days left in her restoration window, she had to choose between a rushed restoration application or returning to Seoul to start over.
"I thought I had more time," Sarah explains. "The stress of potentially losing my job and having to leave my life in Toronto was overwhelming."
What to Do If You Paid Old Fees
IRCC has clarified their policy for applications submitted during the fee transition. You won't face automatic rejection, but you may need to pay the difference.
If you submitted online on or after December 1: You must pay the new fee amount immediately. The system should have prompted you for the correct fee, but technical delays sometimes occur.
If you mailed your application before December 1 but IRCC received it after: You'll receive instructions to pay the difference through IRCC's additional payment portal.
How to Pay Fee Differences
- Calculate the total difference owed for yourself and any family members included in your application
- Visit IRCC's "Make an additional payment" portal online
- Enter the difference amount under "Quantity"
- Complete payment and save your receipt
- Submit the receipt following IRCC's specific instructions for your application type
The biggest concern for most applicants is processing delays. IRCC typically requests fee differences within 2-3 weeks of receiving applications, but during peak periods (September-January), this can stretch to 4-6 weeks.
Earlier 2025 Fee Increases You Should Know
The December changes represent the third major fee adjustment this year, creating cumulative cost impacts for many applicants.
Citizenship Fees (March 31, 2025)
The right of citizenship fee increased from $100 to $119.75—a nearly 20% jump. For families with multiple adult applicants, this adds up quickly.
Removal Costs (April 1, 2025)
Perhaps the most dramatic increases affected removal expenses. Escorted removals by air now cost $12,880 (previously $1,799 for most destinations), while unescorted removals cost $3,840.
These increases reflect the true cost of enforcement actions and serve as a strong deterrent for those considering overstaying their authorized period.
Impact on Different Groups
International Students
Students face the highest combined costs when restoration is needed. At $396.25 for restoration plus a new study permit, many students must choose between depleting savings or risking removal from Canada.
The timing often creates additional pressure. Academic terms don't wait for immigration processing, and students risk losing semester credits while awaiting decisions.
Temporary Workers
Workers have slightly higher restoration costs at $401.25 for combined restoration and work permit applications. However, the employment implications are often more severe—working without authorization can lead to removal orders and future inadmissibility.
IEC Participants
The $5 IEC increase may seem minor, but it comes on top of other program costs. Young professionals often operate on tight budgets, making every fee increase significant.
Planning for Future Applications
With immigration volumes remaining high and IRCC committed to cost-recovery principles, expect continued fee adjustments. Here's how to protect yourself:
Set aside 10-15% extra for potential fee increases when budgeting for applications. This buffer can prevent scrambling for additional funds during critical deadlines.
Monitor expiry dates closely. Set calendar reminders 60-90 days before permits expire to avoid restoration scenarios entirely.
Consider professional help for complex situations. Immigration lawyers and consultants stay current on fee changes and can help navigate restoration requirements efficiently.
Common Restoration Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming you can work while restoration is pending: You cannot work or study until IRCC approves your restoration and issues new permits. Unauthorized activity can lead to removal orders.
Missing the 90-day deadline: There are no extensions or exceptions. Day 91 means mandatory departure from Canada.
Incomplete applications: Restoration applications require extensive documentation proving you still qualify for the status you're requesting. Missing documents cause delays that eat into your 90-day window.
Ignoring medical exams: Some restoration cases require updated medical examinations, especially for students from certain countries.
What This Means for Your Family's Future
These fee increases reflect broader changes in Canada's immigration landscape. Processing volumes continue rising, and IRCC faces pressure to maintain service standards while recovering operational costs.
For families planning long-term stays in Canada, understanding these cost trends helps with financial planning. The days of modest, predictable fee increases appear to be ending, replaced by more significant adjustments that better reflect actual processing costs.
Conclusion
The December 1, 2025 IRCC fee increases add new financial pressure to an already complex restoration process, but understanding the exact amounts and payment procedures helps you navigate successfully. Whether you're facing a $6.50 restoration increase or a $32 jump in serious criminality applications, knowing your obligations prevents costly delays.
Remember, restoration is a time-sensitive process with strict deadlines and no room for error. If you've lost status or are approaching permit expiry, don't wait—the 90-day restoration window closes faster than you think, and these new fees are just the beginning of what could become a much more expensive journey home and back again.
