Planning a trip to Canada in 2026, understanding the full visa application cost is one of the smartest first steps. Many travelers only look at the basic application fee, but the actual total can be higher once you include biometrics, permit charges, and other travel-related costs. The good news is that Canada’s official fee structure is clear enough to help you plan properly if you know where to look.
For most applicants, the price depends on what you are applying for. A visitor visa, study permit, and work permit each have different government fees. In many cases, applicants also need to pay biometrics, and some families may qualify for capped family biometrics or family visitor visa pricing. That means there is no single “Canada visa price” for everyone.
Quick Answer: How Much Does a Canada Visa Cost in 2026?
In 2026, Canada’s official fees list shows CAN$100 for a visitor visa per person, CAN$150 for a study permit, CAN$155 for a work permit, and CAN$85 for biometrics for an individual applicant. Families applying together can pay up to CAN$500 for a visitor visa and up to CAN$170 for biometrics, depending on eligibility.
Canada Visa Fees in 2026: Official Cost Breakdown
The best place to start is the official IRCC fee list. This fee schedule gives the latest government application charges for temporary residence categories. These are the base fees before you add optional services, document expenses, or trip costs.
| Fee Type | Official Cost |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa (per person) | CAN$100 |
| Visitor visa (family maximum) | CAN$500 |
| Study permit | CAN$150 |
| Work permit | CAN$155 |
| Open work permit holder fee | CAN$100 |
| Biometrics (individual) | CAN$85 |
| Biometrics (family maximum) | CAN$170 |
If you are researching similar pricing topics, you can also browse more visa price guides to compare how different countries structure their visa costs. This can be helpful if you are deciding between travel destinations or budgeting for multiple trips.
Visitor Visa Cost for Canada in 2026
The official Canada visitor visa page says visitor visas start from CAN$100. The detailed IRCC fee list confirms that a temporary resident visa, whether single or multiple entry, costs CAN$100 per person. Canada decides whether to issue a single-entry or multiple-entry visa based on the application, but the fee remains the same for both.
For families applying at the same time and place, the official fee list sets a maximum visitor visa fee of CAN$500 for a family of five or more people, provided the family qualifies under the rules. This can make a real difference for parents traveling with children.
So, if you are applying alone for tourism, family visits, or a short business trip, the normal starting point is CAN$100 plus biometrics if required. If several family members are applying together, the overall visa fee may be capped, which can reduce the total cost per person.
Study Permit Fee for Canada in 2026
For students, the official IRCC fee list shows a study permit fee of CAN$150 per person. This is one of the most searched categories because many people refer to it informally as a “student visa,” even though the official application is for a study permit.
The official study permit application process also explains that in most cases you should pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application, otherwise you may face delays. It further notes that if you need a visa or an eTA, Canada will issue it along with your study permit, so you do not need to pay a separate visitor visa fee on top of the study permit fee just to get the travel document linked to your permit.
That means many students will usually budget for CAN$150 plus CAN$85 for biometrics, making a common starting estimate CAN$235 before document preparation, translations, courier costs, medicals if required, and travel expenses.
Work Permit Fee for Canada in 2026
The official fee list shows CAN$155 for a work permit per person. If the application involves an open work permit, there is also an additional CAN$100 open work permit holder fee. This means some applicants may pay CAN$255 before biometrics, depending on the type of permit.
For many foreign workers, biometrics also apply. Since the biometrics fee for an individual is CAN$85, a basic work permit application can often start at CAN$240, while an open work permit route may start around CAN$340 before related travel and paperwork costs are added.
This is why applicants should not rely on one generic online number. The final amount depends on whether the permit is standard or open, whether biometrics are needed, and whether there are supporting costs linked to the employer, document collection, or travel arrangements.
Biometrics Fee and Who Usually Pays It
Canada’s biometrics page says the individual biometrics fee is CAN$85, while families applying at the same time can pay a maximum total fee of CAN$170 if they meet the family-rate conditions. For groups of three or more performing artists and their staff applying for work permits together, the maximum biometrics fee is CAN$255. There is no biometrics fee for a transit visa.
The study permit application guidance also says that people between ages 14 and 79 will probably need to give their fingerprints and photo, and that biometrics are generally valid for 10 years for repeat trips. This is useful because returning travelers may not always need to pay the biometrics fee again if their previous biometrics are still valid.
- Individual biometrics fee: CAN$85
- Family biometrics maximum: CAN$170
- Transit visa biometrics fee: CAN$0
- Most applicants aged 14 to 79 may need biometrics
Total Estimated Cost: What Most Applicants Actually Pay
The “real” price of a Canada visa application in 2026 is often the government fee plus biometrics, not just the headline category fee. For example, a visitor visa applicant usually starts at around CAN$185, a study permit applicant commonly starts at around CAN$235, and a standard work permit applicant often starts at around CAN$240. An open work permit case can start higher because of the extra CAN$100 fee.
But even these estimates are only the beginning. Many people also spend money on photographs, document scanning, translations, courier services, police certificates where relevant, and travel to a visa application centre. If you are calculating your broader journey budget, checking related airline ticket pricing information can also help you understand your full trip cost, not just the visa part.
If your trip is specifically to Canada, it can also help to explore more Canada travel content while you plan, especially if you are comparing provinces, city options, or visitor-friendly destinations before applying.
How to Apply for a Canada Visa or Permit
Canada’s official application guidance makes the general process fairly clear. For visitor visas, study permits, and work permits, the process usually involves confirming eligibility, preparing documents, submitting the application, paying the fees, giving biometrics if required, and waiting for a decision. The exact steps may vary by category, but the structure is consistent. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
- Choose the correct category: visitor visa, study permit, or work permit.
- Prepare your documents and complete the right online forms.
- Pay the application fee and, in most cases, the biometrics fee.
- Submit your application online or by paper where allowed.
- Give your fingerprints and photo when instructed.
- Wait for IRCC to process the application and issue a decision.
The official study permit process specifically notes that incomplete applications can cause delays, and that applicants should pay biometrics when they apply. This is one of the simplest ways to avoid unnecessary back-and-forth later.
Common Extra Charges and Hidden Costs
Even when the government fee is fixed, the practical cost of applying can vary. The most common extra cost is biometrics. After that, the biggest differences usually come from document preparation and travel logistics rather than hidden government fees. Canada’s official pages emphasize the government charges, but your personal total depends on your situation and how complete your application is.
Possible additional expenses can include travel to the biometrics collection point, passport courier charges, translations, printing, and in some cases professional help if you choose to use a licensed representative. If you do use a representative, Canada’s visitor visa page notes that they must be authorized.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Canada visitor visa in 2026?
The official IRCC fee for a Canada visitor visa is CAN$100 per person. Families of five or more applying together at the same time and place may qualify for a maximum fee of CAN$500.
What is the Canada study permit fee in 2026?
The official study permit fee is CAN$150 per person. In many cases, applicants also need to pay CAN$85 for biometrics, bringing a common starting total to CAN$235 before other costs.
What is the Canada work permit fee in 2026?
A standard work permit costs CAN$155. If you need an open work permit, there is also an additional CAN$100 open work permit holder fee, and biometrics may add another CAN$85 where required.
Do I have to pay biometrics for a Canada visa?
In most cases, yes. Canada’s biometrics page lists CAN$85 for an individual and CAN$170 as the family maximum for eligible families applying together. Transit visa applicants do not pay a biometrics fee.
Can processing delays increase my overall cost?
They can increase your indirect costs. Canada’s official pages say processing times vary based on application type, completeness, and how quickly information is verified, so delays may lead to extra travel, courier, or schedule-related expenses even if the government fee itself stays the same.
Conclusion
The Canada visa application price in 2026 depends on what you are applying for. Official IRCC fees currently show CAN$100 for a visitor visa, CAN$150 for a study permit, CAN$155 for a work permit, CAN$100 extra for an open work permit holder fee, and CAN$85 for individual biometrics. Families may qualify for capped visitor visa and biometrics fees when they apply together.
The smartest way to budget is to treat the basic fee as only the starting point. Once you add biometrics and practical application expenses, the total can rise quickly. Before submitting, it is always best to verify the latest official fee page and application guidance here.
