The 8 Major Canadian Immigration Changes Effective April 1, 2026

Following official updates from IRCC, several key policy and financial shifts took effect this month. Here are the 8 changes you must consider for your immigration strategy in 2026.

1. “30-Day or Free” Passport Guarantee

Effective April 1st, IRCC has introduced a service standard guarantee. If a complete passport application is not processed within 30 business days, the applicant will receive an automatic full refund of their fees.

2. Passport Fee Adjustments

For the first time in years, passport costs have increased. A standard 10-year adult passport is now priced at $163.50 CAD, accounting for inflation and security upgrades.

3. Right of Citizenship Fee Increase

As of March 31, the Right of Citizenship fee for adult applicants has risen to $123 CAD. This small adjustment is part of the annual inflation-based updates required by the Service Fees Act.

4. Super Visa: New Financial Flexibility

Hosting parents and grandparents is now easier. Sponsors can now meet the income requirement by:

Using income from either of the last two tax years.
Supplementing their income with funds from the visiting parent or grandparent.

5. Provincial Autonomy in Nominations

Provinces now have expanded power to assess a candidate’s intent to reside and economic establishment. Federal officers will no longer re-evaluate these specific factors if the province has already approved them.

6. Expanded SINP Application Fees

Saskatchewan’s nominee program (SINP) has removed previous fee waivers. All worker streams are now subject to the $500 CAD application fee and the $250 second review fee.

7. Settlement Service Time Limits

Economic class immigrants are now limited to accessing federally funded settlement services (language and job training) for up to 6 years after obtaining permanent resident status.

8. Upcoming PR Fee Hikes (April 30)

Applicants should prepare for an additional 12% increase in all Permanent Residence processing fees, including the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) rising to $600, effective April 30, 2026.

Staying informed is vital for a successful immigration journey. At GP Immigration Services, we stay ahead of these updates to ensure your application remains compliant and competitive.