In 2026, Canadian citizenship costs $653 CAD per adult and $100 CAD per child in government fees. That's the whole answer to the question most people are Googling — but it isn't the whole story. The $653 is actually two fees stacked together, part of it comes back if you're refused, and there are a few costs IRCC's fee page doesn't mention that can quietly add a few hundred dollars per person.
Here's exactly what you'll pay, who pays less, and what to budget beyond the application itself.
The Short Answer
| Who's applying | Government fee (2026) |
|---|---|
| Adult (18 and over) | $653 CAD |
| Child (under 18) | $100 CAD |
| Family of 4 (2 adults + 2 kids) | $1,506 CAD |
These are the fees you pay IRCC to process a citizenship grant application — the standard path for permanent residents. (If you're already a citizen by descent, you apply for a certificate instead and don't take the test — different process, covered in our eligibility guide.) Before you pay anything, it's worth confirming you actually meet the requirements to apply — the 1,095-day physical-presence rule trips up more applicants than the fee does.
The Adult Fee, Broken Down
The $653 an adult pays is really two separate charges:
- $530 — the processing fee. This covers IRCC reviewing your application, your test, and your interview. It's non-refundable once IRCC starts assessing your file.
- $123 — the Right of Citizenship fee. You pay this up front, but it only "activates" when you become a citizen. If your application is refused, IRCC refunds this $123. The processing fee is what you're really risking; the Right of Citizenship fee is essentially held in escrow until you take the oath.
So the honest way to think about it: an adult risks $530 and has $123 that comes back if things don't work out.
What Children Pay
Applicants under 18 pay a flat $100 — and that's it. There's no Right of Citizenship fee for minors, so a child's entire cost is the $100 processing fee. This is why adding kids to a family application is far cheaper per head than the adults.
What a Whole Family Pays
Because adults and children are priced so differently, family totals add up faster on the adult side:
- Couple, no kids: $653 × 2 = $1,306
- Two adults + two kids: $1,306 + $200 = $1,506
- Single parent + one child: $653 + $100 = $753
Every family is different, so rather than do the arithmetic by hand, run your exact household through our free Canadian citizenship cost calculator — pick the number of adults and children and it gives you the family total instantly, no signup.
The Costs Most Guides Skip
The application fee is the big one, but it's rarely the only money you spend getting to your oath. Budget for these separately:
- Language test — roughly $280–$360. If you're between 18 and 54, you must prove CLB 4 English or French. An accepted language test (like IELTS or CELPIP) is the most common way, and you pay the testing organization directly, not IRCC. If you already have qualifying education or a previous test result on file, you may skip this entirely.
- Photos. Citizenship photos must meet IRCC's specifications — usually $15–$20 at a passport-photo shop.
- Travel to your ceremony. The oath ceremony itself is free — there's no charge to attend or to take the oath. But if your ceremony is in another city, factor in transit or a day off work.
- A replacement certificate later — $75. Lose your citizenship certificate down the road and a replacement is a separate $75 fee. Not part of your application, but worth knowing.
- Resuming citizenship after renouncing is a different process priced at $530 for an adult / $100 for a minor.
One cost that is always zero: the citizenship test and studying for it. The official Discover Canada guide is free, and you can take a full practice test free, no account needed — there's no reason to pay anyone for test prep before you've tried the free version.
Did the Citizenship Fee Go Up in 2026?
A little. On March 31, 2026, the Right of Citizenship fee rose from $119.75 to $123 — a small inflation adjustment of a few dollars. The $530 adult processing fee and the $100 minor fee have not changed recently. So the current 2026 adult total of $653 is up only marginally from before.
IRCC can adjust fees at any time, so before you submit, confirm the current amounts on the official IRCC fee list — it's the single source of truth, and any blog (including this one) is only as current as its last update.
Already paid and waiting? Once your fee is in and your application is submitted, the next question is timing. See how long Canadian citizenship takes in 2026 for the stage-by-stage timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to become a Canadian citizen in 2026? An adult pays $653 CAD in government fees ($530 processing + $123 Right of Citizenship fee). A child under 18 pays a flat $100. A family of two adults and two children pays $1,506 total. Budget separately for a language test (~$280–$360) and photos if you need them.
Is the citizenship application fee refundable? Partly. The $123 Right of Citizenship fee is refunded if your application is refused. The $530 processing fee is not refundable once IRCC begins assessing your file. For minors, the full $100 is a processing fee with no Right of Citizenship portion.
How much does Canadian citizenship cost for a family? It depends on how many adults versus children apply, because adults pay $653 and children pay $100. Two adults plus two kids is $1,506; a single parent with one child is $753. Use our free cost calculator for your exact household.
Is the citizenship test free? Yes. There's no fee to take the citizenship test or the oath ceremony — both are included in your application. The official Discover Canada study guide is free, and you can practice with a free 10-question test on this site without creating an account.
Did the Canadian citizenship fee increase in 2026? Slightly. The Right of Citizenship fee went up from $119.75 to $123 on March 31, 2026. The $530 adult processing fee and the $100 minor fee stayed the same, so the adult total is $653.
Do I pay the fee before or after I'm approved? You pay the full amount up front, when you submit your application. The Right of Citizenship portion ($123 for adults) is held and refunded only if you're refused; everything else is charged as your file is processed.
The Bottom Line
For most permanent residents, Canadian citizenship in 2026 costs $653 per adult and $100 per child — a family of four lands at $1,506. Of the adult fee, only $530 is truly at risk; the $123 Right of Citizenship fee comes back if you're refused. Add a language test and photos if your situation calls for them, and remember the test, the study guide, and the oath ceremony cost nothing. When you're ready, run your household through the fee calculator for an exact total.
Article last reviewed: 2026-06-23. IRCC can change fees at any time — always confirm the current amounts on the official IRCC fee list before you apply.