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Canada's Immigration Fees Adjustment: Analyzing Economic and Social Ramifications

Starting in 2024, Canada has revised its immigration visa fees, marking an increase in expenses for primary applicants and their accompanying spouses. Through a comparative lens spanning April 2022 to March 2024 and the newly implemented fees from April 2024 to March 2026, the recalibrated landscape of business immigration costs in both federal and Quebec regions becomes evident:

Primary applicant: $1,625 (current fee) / $1,810 (new fee)

Spouse or common-law partner: $850 / $950

Dependent children: $230 / $260

These fees adjustments raise pertinent questions about the accessibility of Canadian immigration pathways. While the fees increments may bolster government revenues, they simultaneously pose financial barriers for aspiring immigrants, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

In the long term, the additional revenue streams could be allocated towards funding immigrant integration initiatives, potentially fostering economic prosperity in Canada. However, there are apprehensions regarding the equitable access to Canada, especially for vulnerable demographics like refugees and individuals with limited financial means.