How much does it cost to immigrate to BC? Every fee, test and fund in 2026

For a single adult coming through the BC PNP and Express Entry in 2026, budget roughly $4,500 to $5,000 in government and third-party fees: about $300 to $350 for a language test, $300 to $400 for an educational credential assessment, $1,750 for the BC PNP nomination fee, $1,590 in federal permanent residence fees, $85 for biometrics, $200 to $450 for the medical exam and around $100 for police certificates. Express Entry alone, without the provincial stage, is about $2,700 to $3,200. On top of that you need settlement funds if your program requires proof of funds, money for the move itself, and any representative fees.

As of 30 April 2026, the processing fee for an economic-class principal applicant, which covers Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program, is $990, and the right of permanent residence fee is $600, so $1,590 per adult. An accompanying spouse or partner pays the same $1,590 and each dependent child $270. Biometrics are $85 per person to a family maximum of $170. IRCC raised most permanent residence fees by roughly four to six percent on that date; confirm the live figures on canada.ca before you pay.

Registering in the Skills Immigration Registration System is free. If you are invited, the nomination application fee for the Skills Immigration streams is $1,750, effective 22 January 2026, up from $1,475. Entrepreneur Immigration charges a higher registration and application fee. The BC fee is paid to the province and is separate from, and in addition to, the federal permanent residence fees you pay IRCC after nomination.

It depends on your program. Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades applicants must show settlement funds, currently $15,263 for one person, $19,001 for two, $23,360 for three and $28,362 for four on IRCC's table, that are available, unborrowed and in your name. Canadian Experience Class applicants and anyone with a valid job offer and authorisation to work in Canada are exempt. BC PNP nominees applying under the Provincial Nominee Class are generally not required to show settlement funds but must show they can support themselves. Confirm the current table on canada.ca.

IELTS General Training and CELPIP General each cost roughly $300 to $350 in Canada and similar amounts abroad; TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French are in the same range. An Educational Credential Assessment from World Education Services is about $260 plus courier and document fees, typically $350 to $400 all in, and takes several weeks once your documents arrive. Both are needed for Express Entry and both are also used by the BC PNP to score your language and education.

Regulated consultants charge either a fixed fee for a defined scope or an hourly rate, and fees vary with the complexity of the case and the level of service. Government fees are always paid separately and directly to IRCC and the province. Our own pricing is on our fees page, with the difference between full file management and a lighter file review explained. Any consultant you consider must be licensed with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, and you should ask for the fee in writing before you engage anyone.

Roughly double the single-adult government fees for a couple, plus $270 per child, plus a language test and medical exam for each adult and a medical for each child, and biometrics to the $170 family maximum. A family of four immigrating through the BC PNP and Express Entry should budget around $8,000 to $9,000 in fees and tests, plus settlement funds if required, which for four people are $28,362 on the current table, plus the cost of the move itself.

Your first PR card is included in the fees you have paid. The costs that follow are settlement costs rather than immigration fees: three months of living expenses while you find work, which in Metro Vancouver is roughly $10,000 to $13,000 for one person, a deposit and first month's rent, and interim health insurance until MSP starts. Later, renewing a PR card costs a modest fee, and applying for citizenship after three years of residence carries its own fee, which also increased in 2026.