How Much Does Canadian Citizenship Cost in 2026?

The government fee for Canadian citizenship is easy to look up, but the real cost of the process includes a few things beyond the application itself. Here is the full picture for 2026, so you can budget properly before you apply.

These are the standard government fees. Your own costs can vary depending on language testing, document needs, and whether you use a representative.

The adult application fee

For an adult aged 18 and over, the citizenship grant fee is 653 dollars. That total is made up of two parts:

A processing fee of 530 dollars
A right of citizenship fee of 123 dollars

You pay both together when you submit your application. The right of citizenship fee went up from its previous amount earlier in 2026, as part of the annual inflation adjustment that applies to many government fees under the Service Fees Act. Applications received on or after the change date pay the new total of 653 dollars.

The fee for children

For a minor under 18, the fee is 100 dollars. There is no separate right of citizenship fee for children, so the total for a child applicant is just the 100 dollar processing fee. A family applying together pays the adult rate for each adult and the minor rate for each child.

What is refundable and what is not

The two parts of the adult fee behave differently. The right of citizenship fee, the 123 dollar portion, is refundable if you withdraw your application or if it is refused before you take the oath. It is the act of taking the oath that this fee pays for, so if you never reach that point, that part can come back to you.

The processing fee, the 530 dollar portion, is generally not refundable once IRCC has started working on your application. This is why getting the application right the first time matters. A return for a missing document does not usually cost you the fee again, but a refusal for a substantive reason means starting over.

Other costs to plan for

The application fee is the main expense, but it is rarely the only one. Depending on your situation, you may also pay for:

A language test, if you need third-party proof of your English or French ability. Approved tests typically cost a few hundred dollars. If you can prove your language ability through prior education in English or French, you may avoid this.
Citizenship photos, which must meet specific requirements and usually cost a small amount at a photo shop.
Document copies, translations, or replacement identity documents if anything you need is missing or expired.
Police or court records in some cases.

If you choose to use an immigration consultant or lawyer, their professional fees are a separate cost on top of all of the above. Many people apply without a representative, since the forms and guides are public, but it is an option if your case is complex.

A realistic budget

For a straightforward adult application where you can prove your language ability without a paid test, the cost is close to the 653 dollar fee plus a small amount for photos. If you need a language test, add a few hundred dollars. For a couple applying together with no children, budget for two adult fees. A family adds 100 dollars per child.

Why the cost is worth understanding upfront

Knowing the breakdown helps in two practical ways. First, you can see which part of the fee you might get back if something goes wrong, which removes some of the fear around the right of citizenship portion. Second, you can avoid the surprise of a language test cost by checking early whether your education already counts as proof.

The fee is fixed, but your preparation is free to start. The more ready you are before you apply, the more value you get from the money you spend.

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