Several expenses are required for those looking to prove their eligibility and submit an application to the Express Entry system.
Canada’s Express Entry is an electronic system used to manage applications of skilled workers pursuing permanent residence (PR) in Canada.
Established in 2015, the Express Entry system (which spans the Canadian Experience Class program (CEC), the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)) represents a path to immigration that has seen massive amounts of traffic. It has aided many skilled foreign workers in becoming Canadian permanent residents since its inception.
While Express Entry remains one of Canada’s most in-demand paths to immigration, there are also multiple costs that go along with the process.
The Costs of Submitting a Profile
To assemble a profile for Express Entry candidacy, you will need to include the following:
- A Passport copy/copy of travel document;
- Language tests (International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) for English; or the Test d’Évaluation de Français pour le Canada (TEF) and the Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF) for French – to evaluate listening, reading, writing, and speaking ability);
- Proof of Canadian Education or an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) (for those who have studied abroad);
- A Provincial Nomination Letter (if obtained);
- A written job offer letter from a Canadian employer or proof of work experience or certificate of qualification in a trade occupation (issued by a Canadian province or territory); and
- Proof of settlement funds (only for FSWP & FSTP candidates who do not have a valid job offer in Canada).
However, these required documents come with their own fees. For example:
- Language testing – based on whether one is pursuing accreditation in English or French, (and where the test is being taken) prices may vary:
IELTS testing costs between $302-$311 + tax, depending on what location one is testing in;
CELPIP testing costs $280 + tax;
TEF testing costs $440 (according to Alliance-Francaise) with an additional $75 non-refundable charge if the applicant needs to cancel or reschedule before the testing day; and
TCF testing costs $460 (according to Alliance-Francaise) and features the same $75 non-refundable charge.
- ECA
If you have studied abroad, an ECA is required to determine how your education may compare to an equivalent Canadian education.
According to IRCC, the average cost of receiving an ECA is roughly $200, in addition to courier fees – though this varies depending on which Designated Organization (DO) does the credential assessment.
- ECA’s reveal another charge – the expense of having documents translated into English or French.
Costs here can vary from $0.06 to $0.20 per word of translation – however, before availing services, you should investigate whether the provider has a good track record of translating for immigration purposes and whether they are registered with the appropriate board authorities. Some examples of board authorities are: The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO); the Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia (STIBC); and le Ordre des Traducteurs, Terminologues et Interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ). Each province has its own board authority for translators.
- The final expense that you may face is proof of settlement funds.
*Note: Candidates in the CEC program, and those authorized to work in Canada, with a valid job offer DO NOT need to show proof of settlement funds.*
While this is not a deduction in itself, you must make sure that the requisite amount of money is in your possession, should you be chosen to immigrate to Canada. These funds must be readily available at the time of immigration (i.e.: not in equity, property, or any form other than accessible funds). An official letter from the bank or financial institution in which you store your money is required as proof. Depending on the size of your family these costs will vary. On the IRCC website, the following guidelines are listed:
1 person = $13,310
2 people = $16,570
3 people = $20,371
The application processing fee is $850, for any individual applying. With a spouse/partner that fee is doubled to $1,700 total. Additionally, any dependent child will incur a charge of $230.
This means that a family of three (for example) will have to pay $1,930 simply to get their applications processed.
However, should the family of three be successful in their bid for permanent residency, both adults will have to pay an additional Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) of $515 – raising the total cost to $2,960.
Further, there are associated fees to assembling an application (with a myriad number of required documents and official papers).
