The Most Economical Ways to Immigrate to Canada
People immigrate for a variety of reasons. Some go for career advancement, while others go for a more peaceful environment where they can thrive. One of the most frequently asked questions by Canadian immigration applicants is, “How much does it cost to immigrate to Canada?”
This is a crucial question. Indeed, it is just as important as whether you are eligible to move to Canada or which programs you are eligible for. Nobody wants to begin the immigration application process only to discover halfway through that they lack the necessary funds.
So, in this article, we’ll look at some of the most cost-effective immigration options for Canada in 2023 in order to help you find the best option.
The Expensive Costs of Moving to Canada
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people relocate to the Great White North.
According to the most recent Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) targets, the country expects to welcome 465,000 newcomers this year alone. In 2024, 485,000 newcomers will arrive in Canada, while 500,000 newcomers will arrive in 2025.
If you intend to become one of the many newcomers to Canada in the near future, you should be aware that locating the right immigration visa or program can be difficult. This is especially true when you’re trying to balance not only your day-to-day expenses but also your long-term goals and how they might affect your financial situation.
Moving abroad, on the other hand, is expensive. Aside from the government application fees and mandatory settlement funds required for most economic immigration programs, there are also the costs of flights, lodging, shipping, and, if you choose to work with an immigration professional, legal fees. Additional expenses include:
Medical Examiners
clearance from the police
ECAs (Educational Credential Assessments)
Language evaluation
Verification of Net Worth
Translation of a document
What are some of the most affordable ways to immigrate to Canada? Let us investigate.
PNPs that charge no application processing fees
Yes, there are Provincial Nominee programs that do not charge a fee to process applications.
But, before you get too excited, keep in mind that you will still have to pay federal fees when applying for visas, work permits, or permanent residency.
YPNP (Yukon Provincial Nominee Program)
The Critical Impact Worker Stream, Skilled Worker Stream, Express Entry, and Yukon Community Program are all part of the Yukon PNP.
These immigration programs are based on skill level, and all candidates, with the exception of Express Entry, do not have to pay a fee to submit their applications to move to Canada.
Some of the Canadian immigration requirements for Yukon’s PNP programs are listed below.
Eligibility for YPNP | |
Stream | Requirements |
Critical Impact Worker Stream |
|
Skilled Worker Stream |
|
Yukon Community Program |
Critical impact worker and skilled worker stream applicants are eligible to be nominated. |
Provincial Nominee Program of Nova Scotia (NSNP)
Another Canadian immigration program that does not charge application fees is the Nova Scotia PNP.
Under the NSNP, there are several immigration programs, each with its own set of requirements.
There are no processing fees for the following streams:
Eligibility for NSNP | |
Stream | Requirements |
Physician Stream |
|
Skilled Worker Stream |
|
Occupations In Demand Stream |
|
Provincial Nominee Program of the Northwest Territories (NWT PNP)
The Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program is intended to assist NWT employers in permanently hiring foreign workers.
Only employers can request that foreign workers be nominated by the territory to apply for permanent residency.
These are some of the streams:
Eligibility for NSNP | |
Stream | Requirements |
Entry-level/Semi-Skilled Stream |
|
Skilled Worker Stream |
|
Processing fees are no longer required for the PNPs listed below.
NBPNP (New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program)
The Province of New Brunswick does not charge any fees for New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) applications.
You will, however, be charged fees by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Provincial Nominee Program of Newfoundland and Labrador (NLPNP)
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has eliminated fees under its Provincial Nominee Program following the release of its 2022 Budget 2022. Staff from the Provincial Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism will offer a variety of free services to newcomers to the provinces as well as employers.
The 250 CAD application fee for skilled workers and the 1,000 CAD application fee for entrepreneurs are no longer required.
Canadian Immigration Programs at the Lowest Cost
Provincial Nominee Programs are some of the most affordable immigration programs available. Although the federal economic immigration application option for provincial nominees costs $1,365 CAD for processing and permanent residency, it is sometimes much cheaper to apply directly to the province or territory of your choice.
When applying directly to a province or territory, the costs of various PNPs for 2021 range from the most affordable to the most expensive.
Application Processing Costs for PNPs | CAD |
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) INB System | 300 CAD |
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) | 350 CAD |
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) | 500 CAD |
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) | 500 CAD (excludes Self-Employed Farmer Stream) |
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) | 1,150 CAD (excludes Entrepreneur Immigration and Strategic Projects) |
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) | 1,500- 2,000 CAD |
Other Reasonably Priced Canadian Immigration Options
Family sponsorship is the next most cost-effective way to move to Canada. If you have a family member in Canada who is either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, you can apply for family sponsorship.
The person sponsoring you must be at least 18 years old and have sufficient funds to support you without government assistance. Your application will cost between 155 CAD (child sponsorship) and 1,080 CAD (spouse or partner, parent or grandparent). You can also help an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild by sponsoring them.
The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot are two Caregiver programs in Canada that aim to assist skilled and experienced home child care providers and home support workers in immigrating to Canada. The application processing fee is $1,085 CAD, plus a work permit fee of 155 CAD. All applicants must:
- Have a legitimate Canadian job offer
- Have language test results demonstrating their ability to communicate effectively in English or French
- Have a one-year Canadian post-secondary diploma or certificate, or an ECA demonstrating that their qualification meets Canadian standards.
- Have work experience in the occupation
The majority of federal immigration program processing fees are CAD1,365. Among these programs are:
The Agri-Food Pilot Program Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker Program; Federal Skilled Trade Program; Canadian Experience Class Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot Quebec Skilled Workers Program)
Prepare Financially for Your Move to Canada
Moving to another country will always involve multiple sets of fees, which is why you should do your research before settling in a province. Of course, you must select the province that best meets your professional requirements. Still, consider affordability in terms of daily costs as well as costs that will directly impact your pocket at the start of your journey to Canada.
Directly applying to a PNP is likely the cheapest way to immigrate to Canada, with Ontario and British Columbia being the most expensive. Fortunately, some provinces do not charge application processing fees; however, keep in mind that you may need to apply for a work permit or permanent residency, which will incur additional fees.
If you need assistance making these important decisions, remember that our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) are trained to help you every step of the way.
The first step towards moving to Canada is to get an assessment of your specific situation. Call us today at +1 604 358-5763 for an assessment to see if you are eligible to move to Canada, or fill out our online assessment form.
