Canada Work Permit Fees and Biometrics: Complete Guide

1. How Much Does a Canada Work Permit Cost?

For most applicants, the standard Canadian work permit processing fee is CAD $155 per person.

Additional fees can apply depending on the type of work permit and the applicant's circumstances.

Common federal fees include:

• $155 for a work permit, including an extension;
• an additional $100 open work permit holder fee where applicable; and
• $85 for biometrics where new biometrics are required.

These are federal immigration fees. They should not be confused with employer-side costs, provincial requirements, medical examination costs, document translation expenses or professional fees.

For the broader work authorization framework, see the Work Permit Canada: Requirements & Complete Guide .

2. Current Canada Work Permit Fees

The principal federal fees relevant to a Canadian work permit application are summarized below.

Fee exemptions exist for certain applicants and immigration categories. Applicants should therefore confirm the fees that apply to their specific situation before paying.

3. The $155 Work Permit Processing Fee

The standard federal processing fee for a work permit is currently $155 per person.

The same standard fee applies to a work permit extension, subject to any applicable exemption.

This fee applies to the processing of the work permit application. It does not include every possible cost associated with obtaining Canadian work authorization.

Depending on the case, an applicant may separately incur costs for:

• biometrics;
• the open work permit holder fee;
• restoration of temporary resident status;
• an immigration medical examination;
• police certificates;
• translations;
• professional licensing;
• document procurement; or
• other requirements associated with the particular work permit category.

4. Employer-Specific Work Permit Fees

A foreign national applying for a standard employer-specific work permit generally pays the $155 work permit processing fee, unless a fee exemption applies.

The worker does not pay the additional $100 open work permit holder fee because the application is not for an open work permit.

Employer-specific applications can nevertheless involve separate employer-side costs depending on whether the position is:

• LMIA-required; or
• LMIA-exempt under the International Mobility Program.

For the permit framework, see the Employer-Specific Work Permit Canada guide .

5. Open Work Permit Fees

An applicant for an open work permit generally pays:

• $155 for work permit processing; plus
• $100 as the open work permit holder fee.

The normal combined federal permit fees are therefore $255 before any biometrics fee.

If new biometrics are also required, an individual applicant would generally pay another $85, bringing these three fees to $340.

For eligibility and permit types, see the Open Work Permit Canada guide .

6. How Much Does Biometrics Cost for a Work Permit?

Where biometrics are required, the current biometrics fee is:

• $85 for an individual; or
• a maximum of $170 for an eligible family applying together.

A qualifying group of three or more performing artists and their staff applying for work permits together can be subject to a maximum biometrics fee of $255.

The biometrics fee covers the collection of the applicant's fingerprints and digital photograph and the related services specified by IRCC.

Applicants who are required to provide biometrics should generally pay the biometrics fee when they submit the immigration application.

7. What Are Biometrics?

For Canadian immigration purposes, biometrics generally consist of:

• fingerprints; and
• a digital photograph.

Biometrics are used as part of Canada's identity verification and immigration screening process.

Not every work permit applicant needs to provide new biometrics with every application.

Whether biometrics are required depends on factors including:

• the applicant's age;
• whether valid biometrics are already on file;
• the type of immigration application; and
• whether a specific exemption applies.

8. How Long Are Biometrics Valid for a Work Permit?

Biometrics previously provided for temporary residence can generally be valid for 10 years.

This means that a person who previously provided biometrics for a Canadian visitor visa, study permit or work permit may not need to provide them again for another temporary resident application while those biometrics remain valid.

Applicants should verify their individual biometrics validity rather than relying only on the date of a previous immigration application.

9. Can You Give Biometrics Again Before They Expire?

Yes. Current IRCC instructions allow a temporary resident applicant to choose to provide biometrics again in circumstances where existing biometrics remain valid but could limit the validity of the new visa or permit.

An applicant choosing to provide biometrics again should:

1. pay the biometrics fee when submitting the new application;
2. wait for the new Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL); and
3. use that new BIL to book an appointment at an official biometrics collection location.

Applicants should not simply attend a biometrics collection location using an old instruction letter.

10. What Is a Biometrics Instruction Letter?

If biometrics are required after an application is submitted, IRCC generally sends the applicant a Biometrics Instruction Letter, commonly referred to as a BIL.

The BIL provides instructions for completing the biometrics requirement.

The applicant generally needs the instruction letter when booking or attending the biometrics appointment.

Applicants should follow the deadline and instructions stated in the letter and arrange collection as soon as reasonably possible.

11. Where Do You Give Biometrics?

Biometrics must be provided at an official biometrics collection location.

Depending on where the applicant is located, authorized collection locations can include:

• Visa Application Centres (VACs) outside Canada;
• designated Service Canada locations in Canada; and
• other official collection locations identified by IRCC.

Applicants should use IRCC's current biometrics location information when arranging an appointment.

Not every Service Canada office or other immigration service location collects biometrics.

12. Biometrics for Port-of-Entry Work Permit Applications

A foreign national who is legally eligible to apply for a work permit at a Canadian port of entry may also need to provide biometrics.

Current IRCC instructions state that if biometrics are required in an eligible port-of-entry application, they are provided when the applicant meets the border officer.

Port-of-entry work permit eligibility is restricted. The fact that biometrics can be collected at the border does not itself make a person eligible to apply for a work permit there.

For the broader application process, see How to Apply for a Work Permit in Canada .

13. Who Is Exempt From Biometrics?

Not every temporary resident applicant is required to provide biometrics.

Current IRCC biometrics guidance identifies exemptions that include, among others:

• Canadian citizens;
• existing permanent residents;
• certain applicants who already provided biometrics in connection with a permanent residence application that remains in processing;
• children under 14 years of age;
• applicants over 79 years of age, subject to the rules applicable to asylum claimants;
• certain heads of state and heads of government; and
• certain diplomatic or official visa applicants.

Applicants should check the current exemption rules for their own circumstances before concluding that biometrics are unnecessary.

14. Biometrics Fee for Families

The normal biometrics fee is $85 for each person who is required to provide biometrics.

However, an eligible family applying together can pay a maximum total biometrics fee of $170.

IRCC identifies eligible family members for this maximum as including:

• a spouse or common-law partner;
• dependent children; and
• dependent children of dependent children, where applicable.

The family members must meet the applicable conditions for the family maximum rather than simply being related to one another.

15. Special Group Fees for Performing Artists

Canadian immigration fee rules contain special maximum amounts for qualifying groups of performing artists and their staff.

For a group of three or more qualifying performing artists and staff applying for work permits at the same time and place:

• the maximum work permit processing fee is $465; and
• the maximum biometrics fee is $255.

These group maximums are specific rules and should not be treated as general family or group pricing for unrelated work permit applicants.

16. Employer Fees Are Separate From Work Permit Fees

Some employer-specific work permit pathways involve costs paid by the Canadian employer rather than the foreign worker.

International Mobility Program

For most employer-specific LMIA-exempt applications under the International Mobility Program, the employer must submit an offer of employment through the Employer Portal and pay the applicable $230 employer compliance fee before the worker applies, unless an exemption applies.

This fee is separate from the worker's $155 work permit processing fee.

For the LMIA-exempt framework, see the LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Canada guide .

17. Is the LMIA Fee Part of the Work Permit Fee?

No. An LMIA application and a work permit application are separate processes.

Where an LMIA is required, the employer generally completes the applicable process with Employment and Social Development Canada or Service Canada before the worker submits the work permit application.

Any applicable LMIA processing fee is an employer-side cost and is not part of the foreign national's $155 IRCC work permit processing fee.

The worker's immigration application remains separately subject to the applicable IRCC fees.

See the LMIA Work Permit Canada guide for the LMIA pathway.

18. Work Permit Restoration Fees

Restoration is different from a normal work permit extension.

Where a person is eligible to restore their temporary resident status as a worker and obtain a new work permit, the current IRCC fee schedule shows a total of $401.25, consisting of:

• $246.25 for restoration of status; plus
• $155 for the new work permit.

Other fees can still apply depending on the application, including the open work permit holder fee or biometrics fee where applicable.

19. How Do You Pay Canada Work Permit Fees?

For an online work permit application, IRCC normally prompts the applicant to pay the applicable fees as part of the online application process.

The applicant should:

1. determine which fees apply to the application;
2. complete the application through the appropriate IRCC process;
3. pay the required fees using an accepted payment method;
4. retain the payment receipt and confirmation; and
5. verify that all required fees have actually been paid before submission.

Current IRCC online payment instructions accept specified credit, prepaid and debit card payment methods.

For the complete filing sequence, see How to Apply for a Work Permit in Canada .

20. What if the Open Work Permit Holder Fee Was Not Paid?

In some situations, the application system may not automatically trigger the open work permit holder fee even though the applicant's category requires it.

IRCC currently provides a procedure for paying the open work permit holder fee manually.

The applicant can:

1. pay the open work permit holder fee online;
2. save the payment receipt; and
3. attach the receipt through the appropriate document or Letter of Explanation field in the application process.

The applicable instructions should be followed carefully because the correct procedure can depend on the stage and type of application.

21. Are Work Permit Fees Refunded if the Application Is Refused?

Applicants should not assume that all immigration fees will be refunded if a work permit is refused.

IRCC's outside-Canada work permit guide currently states that the work permit processing fee and biometrics fee are not refunded simply because the application is refused.

However, IRCC states that the open work permit holder fee is refunded if the application is refused.

Refund treatment can differ according to the fee and circumstances, including whether processing has begun or a service was not required.

22. Other Costs of a Canadian Work Permit Application

The IRCC fees are only part of the potential cost of preparing a work permit application.

Depending on the circumstances, additional costs can include:

• immigration medical examinations;
• police certificates;
• certified translations;
• document certification;
• passport renewal;
• professional licensing;
• credential or qualification documents;
• travel to a biometrics collection location;
• Visa Application Centre services;
• courier services; and
• professional immigration or legal services, where used.

These costs are not necessarily payable to IRCC and vary significantly by applicant and country.

For supporting evidence requirements, see the Canada Work Permit Documents Checklist .

23. Are Any Work Permit Applicants Exempt From Fees?

Yes. Canadian immigration law and IRCC programs provide fee exemptions for certain applicants and situations.

The existence and scope of an exemption depend on the legal or program category.

Applicants should therefore confirm separately whether they are exempt from:

• the $155 work permit processing fee;
• the $100 open work permit holder fee;
• the biometrics fee; or
• an employer-side fee, where applicable.

An exemption from one fee does not automatically mean that every other fee connected with the application is also waived.

24. Common Work Permit Fee and Biometrics Mistakes

Paying only $155 for an open work permit

Open work permit applicants normally also need to pay the $100 open work permit holder fee unless an exemption applies.

Paying for biometrics when valid biometrics can be reused

Temporary resident biometrics can generally be reused for 10 years, although there can be a strategic reason to provide them again if they will expire too soon.

Ignoring biometrics expiry

IRCC cannot issue a temporary visa or permit beyond 10 years from the last biometrics enrolment.

Waiting to pay the biometrics fee

Where biometrics are required, IRCC recommends paying the fee with the application to avoid delays.

Confusing employer and worker fees

Employer compliance or LMIA-related costs are distinct from the foreign national's work permit processing fee.

Assuming all fees are refunded after refusal

The processing, biometrics and open work permit holder fees do not all have the same refund rules.

Treating payment as proof of eligibility

Paying the correct fee is a procedural requirement. It does not establish that the applicant qualifies for the requested work permit.

25. Canada Work Permit Fee Examples

The following examples illustrate common fee combinations. They assume no applicable fee exemption.

These examples show only the identified federal immigration fees. The actual cost of an application can differ because of exemptions, family applications, restoration, medical requirements and other circumstances.

26. Canada Work Permit Fees and Biometrics FAQs

How much is the Canada work permit fee?

The standard federal work permit processing fee is currently $155 per person, subject to applicable fee exemptions.

How much does an open work permit cost?

An open work permit applicant normally pays the $155 work permit processing fee plus the $100 open work permit holder fee, for a total of $255 before biometrics or other applicable costs.

How much are biometrics for a Canadian work permit?

The current biometrics fee is $85 for an individual. An eligible family applying together can pay a maximum total biometrics fee of $170.

Is the biometrics fee included in the $155 work permit fee?

No. The work permit processing fee and biometrics fee are separate.

How long are Canadian biometrics valid?

Biometrics used for temporary resident applications can generally be valid for 10 years from the date they were provided.

Do I need to give biometrics again for a work permit extension?

Not necessarily. If valid temporary resident biometrics are already on file, they can generally be reused. However, biometrics expiry can limit the validity of a newly issued permit.

Can I give biometrics again before they expire?

Yes. Current IRCC instructions allow an applicant to choose to provide new biometrics with a new temporary resident application, including where existing biometrics would otherwise limit document validity.

Are children required to give biometrics?

Current IRCC rules exempt children under 14 from the biometrics requirement.

Are applicants over 79 required to give biometrics?

Applicants over 79 are generally exempt under the current temporary residence biometrics rules, subject to the different rule identified by IRCC for asylum claimants.

Who pays the $230 employer compliance fee?

Where the employer compliance fee applies under the International Mobility Program, it is an employer-side fee rather than the foreign worker's work permit processing fee.

Is the LMIA fee included in the work permit fee?

No. The LMIA process is separate from the worker's IRCC work permit application. Applicable LMIA-related costs are employer-side costs.

Are work permit fees refunded after refusal?

The standard processing and biometrics fees are not normally refunded simply because the application is refused. IRCC currently states that the $100 open work permit holder fee is refunded when the application is refused.

How much does it cost to restore worker status?

The current IRCC fee schedule lists $401.25 to restore temporary resident status as a worker and obtain a new work permit, before other applicable fees.