Canada has rolled out a series of immigration and administrative changes effective April 1, 2026, impacting passport fees, visa rules, settlement services and provincial powers.
Here’s a clear breakdown of the key updates:
Passport and citizenship fees revised
Canada has introduced a modest increase in passport and citizenship costs:
- A 10-year adult passport now costs CAD $163.50 (up from $160)
- A 5-year adult passport is now CAD $122.50
- The right of citizenship fee has increased to CAD $123
To balance the hike, authorities are offering a 30-day processing guarantee. If a complete passport application is not processed within this timeframe, applicants will receive a full refund.
Super visa rules relaxed
Changes to the super visa program make it easier for families to reunite:
- Sponsors can now meet income requirements using either of the past two tax years
- The visiting parent or grandparent’s income can also be included in eligibility calculations
The super visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years per visit.
Provinces get greater control
Provincial and territorial governments now have increased authority in immigration decisions:
- They can independently assess whether applicants intend to reside in their region
- Federal officers will no longer make these determinations
This shift gives provinces more control over selecting candidates suited to their local economies.
Settlement services timeline extended
Support for economic immigrants has been expanded:
- New permanent residents can access federally funded settlement services for up to six years
- This will be reduced to five years starting April 2027
Rural work permit flexibility
To address labour shortages in smaller communities:
- Rural employers can now hire up to 15% low-wage foreign workers, up from 10%
- This provision will remain in place until March 2027, subject to provincial participation
New fees under Saskatchewan program
Applicants under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) will see added costs:
- A CAD $500 application fee across all worker streams
- A CAD $250 fee for requesting a second review after an ineligible decision
Overall, the changes reflect Canada’s attempt to balance higher administrative costs with faster processing, greater provincial autonomy, and more flexible family and workforce policies.
