Canadian Citizenship Application Fees (2026)

The fees for a grant of Canadian citizenship in 2026 are $653 for an adult and $100 for a minor under 18. The adult total is made up of a $530 processing fee plus a $123 right of citizenship fee. A minor pays the processing fee only. Amounts are updated regularly, so always confirm the current fee on the official fee page at canada.ca before you pay. Also confirm your eligibility first.

The fee breakdown for an adult

For an adult, the direct cost splits into two distinct parts. Understanding this composition makes it clear what is refundable and what is not, and helps you budget without surprises. The amount is not a single flat fee: it adds an administrative charge to a fee tied to the grant of status. Both are normally paid at the same time, when you file, but they do not follow the same refund rules.

• Processing fee: $530, for reviewing your file.
• Right of citizenship fee: $123, paid for the grant itself.
• Adult total: $653.
• Minor total (under 18): $100, processing only.

This $653 total is for a grant of citizenship, meaning the application of a permanent resident who meets the presence requirements and wants to become a citizen. Other citizenship-related requests (proof of citizenship, a search of records, replacing a certificate) have their own fees, which differ from the amounts shown here.

What the processing and right of citizenship fees cover

The processing fee covers IRCC reviewing your application, whether or not citizenship is ultimately granted. It pays for the administrative work: checking eligibility, running background checks, arranging the knowledge test and the ceremony. This $530 is due once your file is taken on, regardless of the outcome.

The right of citizenship fee of $123 covers the grant of status itself, not the review of your file. It is a separate fee, paid in advance so there is no extra payment step once the application is approved. Because it is tied to the grant, it follows a different refund logic from the processing fee, which is why a minor, who is not charged this fee at filing, has a lower total.

Who pays what: adults and minors

The amount depends on the applicant's age, not on the family file. Each person submits their own application and pays their own fees, even when a family files several applications at once. An adult pays the full amount, processing plus right of citizenship, for a total of $653. A minor under 18 pays only the processing fee, with no right of citizenship fee, for a total of $100.

For a family, the budget is the sum of the individual applications: for example, two parents at $653 each and one child at $100. Plan this calculation from the start, since every adult applicant owes the full amount. Before paying anything, make sure each person actually meets the requirements by checking your eligibility.

The right of citizenship fee is refunded if refused or withdrawn

The $123 right of citizenship fee is refunded if citizenship is not ultimately granted, for example when an application is refused or withdrawn before the grant. This fee pays for the grant of status: if there is no grant, there is no reason to keep it. The $530 processing fee, by contrast, pays for work already done on your file and is generally not refunded, even if the application is refused. Always confirm the exact refund terms on canada.ca, since the rules can change.

How and when to pay the fees

Fees are paid online, at the point where you submit the application, using a valid credit or debit card. The system generates a payment receipt that you must keep and include with your file: without proof of payment, the application can be returned as incomplete. Pay at the right moment in the process, not too early and not after the fact, so the receipt matches the application you filed.

First make sure your file is complete and that you are genuinely eligible, so you do not spend money needlessly. Count your days of residence with the calculator, then prepare for the knowledge test with our practice exams and chapter quizzes. To place the fees within the whole process, read our guide on how to apply for citizenship online.

How much is citizenship in Canada, in one sentence?

Canadian citizenship costs $653 per adult and $100 per child in 2026, paid once when you apply, with no fee for the test or the ceremony. For a family of two adults and two children, the bill therefore comes to $1,506. That is the only amount IRCC requires: everything else, photos, translations, a possible language test, depends on your situation and is paid to other providers. Our guide on how to become a Canadian citizen places these fees within the full journey.

Naturalization fee: the same amount under another name

If you are looking for the "naturalization fee" in Canada, you are looking for these same $653. Canada does not use the word naturalization in its official texts: the law speaks of a grant of citizenship, and the fees are called the processing fee and the right of citizenship fee. The word naturalization comes from the United States, where form N-400 costs considerably more, and from everyday usage. Our article on citizenship grant vs naturalization explains where this difference in vocabulary comes from, and why it changes nothing about your rights.

Do not confuse the citizenship fee with other costs

The $653 (or $100 for a minor) covers the application itself, but these are not the only possible costs around the project. Several charges are sometimes needed beforehand and are not paid to IRCC for the citizenship application. Mixing them up distorts the budget and can wrongly suggest that citizenship costs far more than advertised.

• Language test: if you must prove your English or French with a recognized test, that test has its own fee, paid to the testing organization.
• Certified translations: documents in another language may need translation by an accredited translator, which is a separate cost.
• Photos: some documents require compliant photos, priced by the provider.
• Shipping or copies: mailing documents, photocopies or related services depending on your situation.

These amounts vary by person and provider: many applicants pay none of them, while others add up several. They stay separate from the official application fees and do not change the $653 paid to IRCC.

Tips for budgeting your application

A realistic budget starts from the official fees, then adds only the extra costs that truly apply to you. A few simple habits prevent surprises and needless spending before you even know whether you are eligible.

• Add up per person: $653 per adult, $100 per minor, before any other cost.
• Check eligibility first: pay nothing until you are sure you meet the requirements.
• Isolate extra costs: language test, translations or photos do not apply to everyone.
• Keep a margin: fees can change, so set aside a small buffer.
• Keep your receipts: they are part of the file and matter for any refund request.

Check the current fee on canada.ca

Because amounts are updated regularly, always check the exact fee on the official fee page at canada.ca the day you pay. The figures in this article reflect the 2026 fee, but only the official page governs at the time of payment. While your file moves forward, keep your knowledge fresh for the test with spaced review, so you are ready when the day comes.