Canada Visa Price 2026: Complete Fee Guide for Travelers

Understanding the Canadian Visa System in 2026

Canada offers several types of temporary resident visas, each designed for different travel purposes. The most common visa for tourists, family visitors, and business travelers is the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). As of 2026, the base application fee for a single TRV remains competitive compared to other major destinations like the United States, Australia, or the United Kingdom. However, the final price you pay depends on several factors: your nationality, the number of applicants in your family, whether you have given biometrics before, and whether you need additional medical or police checks.

Beyond the government filing fee, most applicants must also pay a biometrics fee. Canada introduced mandatory biometric collection (fingerprints and photograph) for most foreign nationals from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and parts of Europe several years ago. This requirement remains in full effect for 2026. Biometrics are typically valid for ten years, meaning if you have already provided them for a previous Canadian visa, work permit, or study permit, you may not need to pay again.

It is also worth noting that Canada follows a fee adjustment schedule. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) typically reviews and updates fees every two years. The last major adjustment occurred in 2024, so 2026 fees are expected to remain stable with only modest inflation-based increases. Nevertheless, you should always verify the exact amount on the official IRCC portal just before submitting your application.

Complete Canada Visa Pricing Table for 2026

Below is a professional, detailed pricing table covering the most common visa categories. All amounts are in Canadian dollars (CAD) and reflect standard processing without optional third-party services. This table is designed to give you a clear, at-a-glance reference before you start your application.

Note: The table above reflects standard rates as of early 2026. Family applications must be submitted together in one envelope or online session to qualify for the reduced biometrics cap. Children under 14 and adults over 79 are generally exempt from biometrics, though there are some country-specific exceptions.

If you are also researching accommodation costs across different destinations, you might find our hotel price guides helpful for planning your overall trip budget after your visa is approved.

Breaking Down All Additional Costs

The government filing fees shown in the table above are only the beginning. Many travelers overlook ancillary expenses that can add several hundred dollars to their total visa budget. Below is a detailed breakdown of every potential extra cost you should prepare for.

Biometrics Collection Appointment and VAC Service Fees

While the CAD $85 biometrics fee covers the government’s processing, most Visa Application Centers (VACs) charge separate service fees. These are not included in the IRCC fee. Common VAC charges include:

Appointment booking fee: CAD $20–$30 (waived in some countries)

Biometrics collection handling fee: CAD $40–$50 (standard at VFS Global and other authorized centers)

Courier or passport return service: CAD $15–$25 per applicant

SMS or email notification service: CAD $3–$5 (optional but common)

Altogether, you should budget an extra CAD $60–$100 per person just for VAC-related fees, depending on your country of residence. Always check your local VAC website before attending your appointment.

Medical Examination Costs

If you plan to stay in Canada longer than six months, or if you intend to work in healthcare, education, child care, or agriculture, you will almost certainly need an immigration medical exam. The same applies to study permit applicants for programs longer than six months. A full immigration medical exam typically includes:

• Physical examination
• Chest X-ray (for applicants over 11 years old)
• Blood test (for applicants over 14 years old)
• Urinalysis (for applicants over 5 years old)

These exams must be performed by an IRCC-approved panel physician. Costs vary significantly by country. In Southeast Asia and South Asia, expect to pay CAD $150–$200. In Europe or the Middle East, costs range from CAD $200–$300. In North America, medical exams can exceed CAD $400. No refunds are issued if your visa is refused after the medical exam.

Police Clearance Certificates

Canada may request police certificates from every country where you have lived for six consecutive months or more since the age of 18. The number of certificates required depends on your travel and work history. Costs vary wildly:

Free: Some countries (e.g., Japan, South Korea) provide police certificates at no charge.

Low cost (CAD $20–$50): Many European and Asian nations charge a modest administrative fee.

High cost (CAD $75–$150): Some countries (e.g., Australia, certain US states) charge significant fees plus translation and notarization costs.

Urgent processing: Expedited certificates can cost CAD $200 or more.

Processing times also vary from 48 hours to three months. Plan accordingly to avoid delaying your visa application.

Translation and Notarization Fees

All documents not in English or French must be translated by a certified translator. Common documents requiring translation include marriage certificates, birth certificates, employment letters, bank statements, and police certificates. Translation costs typically range from CAD $30 to $80 per page. Notarization of translated copies may add another CAD $20–$50 per document.

Payment Methods, Currency Exchange, and Hidden Bank Charges

IRCC accepts most major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), debit cards, and prepaid cards. However, if you are applying from outside Canada, your bank may impose additional fees that many applicants forget to calculate. These hidden charges include:

Foreign transaction fee: Typically 2.5% to 3% of the transaction amount. On a CAD $185 visa fee, that is an extra CAD $4.60–$5.55.

Currency conversion markup: Banks add 1% to 3% above the mid-market exchange rate. This means your home currency’s exchange rate is worse than what you see on Google.

nternational service assessment fee: Some credit cards add a flat CAD $2–$5 per cross-border transaction.

To minimize these extras, use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. Alternatively, if you have a Canadian bank account, pay directly from that account using Interac Online or a Canadian debit card. Some applicants also use Wise or PayPal (where accepted) to lock in better mid-market exchange rates with lower markups.

For more practical money-saving travel strategies, our tips and tricks section covers everything from currency exchange to budget accommodation booking.

Refund Policy: What You Can and Cannot Get Back

Understanding Canada’s refund policy is essential because most visa fees are non-refundable. Here is exactly what you need to know for 2026:

Application fees (CAD $100–$155): Non-refundable, even if your visa is refused, even if you withdraw your application, and even if you made a mistake in your forms. The only exception is if IRCC cancels processing entirely due to an administrative error on their side—a very rare occurrence.

Biometrics fees (CAD $85 per person or $170 per family): Refundable ONLY if you cancel your application before attending your biometrics appointment and before any biometrics collection has been attempted. Once you provide your fingerprints and photograph, the fee is permanently non-refundable, even if your visa is later refused.

VAC service fees: Almost never refundable. These are third-party charges, and each VAC has its own strict refund policy. Most do not offer refunds at all, even if you miss your appointment without cancellation.

Medical exam fees: Completely non-refundable. The panel physician has already performed the service regardless of your visa outcome.

The best way to avoid wasting money is to ensure your application is complete, accurate, and truthful before you submit and pay. Double-check every form, every supporting document, and every photo requirement.

Processing Times and How They Affect Your Budget

Standard processing times for a Canadian visitor visa in 2026 range from 2 to 12 weeks depending on your country of residence. Some countries enjoy faster processing (e.g., India, Philippines, Nigeria have dedicated visa application centers with priority lanes). Others experience delays due to high application volumes.

If you need your visa urgently, Canada offers a Priority Processing Service (officially called “Dedicated Service”) through VACs. This service costs an additional CAD $100–$300 and reduces processing time to 5–10 business days in most cases. Not all countries offer this service. Check with your local VAC before paying.

Budget-conscious travelers should note that rush processing fees are completely separate from government fees and are non-refundable if your visa is refused. Only pay for priority processing if your travel dates are fixed and non-negotiable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Canada Visa Charges in 2026

Do children need to pay the full fee? Yes, each child applying for a visitor visa pays the same CAD $100 application fee plus biometrics (if they are between 14 and 79 years old). However, families applying together cap the total biometrics fee at CAD $170 for the entire family, regardless of how many children are included.

Is the Canada visa fee the same for all nationalities? The base fee is identical for most countries that require a visa. However, some nationals from visa-exempt countries (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea, most European Union nations) do not need a visitor visa at all. Instead, they need an eTA costing only CAD $7. Citizens of certain nations may also have reduced processing fees under specific bilateral agreements. Always use the official IRCC fee calculator with your specific country of citizenship for accuracy.

Can I get a fee waiver? In very rare humanitarian cases, such as refugees, protected persons, or applicants under extreme financial hardship, fee waivers exist. For general tourism, visiting family, or attending business meetings, no waiver is available. Do not fall for online scams promising fee waivers for a fee—they are always fraudulent.

Do I have to pay again if my visa is refused and I reapply? Yes. Every new application requires a new fee payment. There are no discounted “resubmission” rates. This is why it is critical to address the reasons for refusal before reapplying.

If you are also comparing travel and living costs across different countries, our supermarket price comparisons can help you estimate daily expenses once you arrive in Canada.

Step-by-Step Guide to Calculating Your Exact Canada Visa Price

To avoid overpaying or forgetting a required fee, follow this simple step-by-step calculation method before opening your IRCC account:

Identify your visa type: Tourist, study, work, super visa, or transit.

Count applicants: Single, couple, or family of multiple members.

Check biometrics exemption status: Under 14, over 79, or previous biometrics within 10 years.

Add VAC service fees: Based on your local visa application center’s published price list.

Add medical exam cost: Only if staying over 6 months or in a regulated occupation.

Add police certificate costs: One per country of residence over 6 months.

Add translation and notarization: Estimate CAD $40 per document.

Add bank foreign transaction fees: 2.5–3% of total government fee.

Once you have this total, add a 10% contingency buffer (approximately CAD $30–$50) for unexpected charges like courier fees, photo printing, or administrative surcharges that may appear during the application process.

For a complete overview of different typical expense categories when traveling abroad, our shopping and daily cost guides provide additional budget planning support.