Podcast Episode Transcript: The Real Cost of Immigrating to Canada
Episode 144: The Real Cost of Immigrating to Canada
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Mark Holthe: This episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast is sponsored by the Canadian Immigration Institute, one of the best sources of video content on Canadian immigration to help you navigate your way through the process. Head over to our YouTube channel where there's tons of video content, and you can join me, Mark Holthe, in a number of live video streams and Q&A sessions, all designed to help you navigate your way through this complex Canadian immigration process. When you're done there, like and subscribe, and then head over to CanadianImmigrationInstitute.com, where you can find all those awesome DIY courses that I've been talking about. Thank you, Canadian Immigration Institute, for sponsoring this amazing podcast.
The Canadian immigration process can be complex and frustrating. With the Canadian Immigration Department making it virtually impossible to speak to an officer, there are few places to turn to for trusted information. The Canadian Immigration Podcast was created to fill this void by offering the latest on immigration law, policy, and practice. Please welcome ex-immigration officer and Canadian immigration lawyer Mark Holthe, as he is joined by industry leaders across Canada, sharing insights to help you along your way.
Mark Holthe: Hello, everyone. Welcome back to another episode of the Canadian Immigration Podcast. I'm your host, Mark Holthe, here with my co-host, Alicia Backman-Beharry. How are you doing today, Alicia?
Alicia Backman-Beharry: I am doing well, Mark. It is one of those beautiful spring days in Alberta. It is good to be alive on these beautiful spring days. Today, we thought we would look at something that is probably top of mind for most immigrants when they are deciding whether to move to Canada and submit that PR application: What is the real cost of immigrating to Canada?
Mark Holthe: Exactly. Many people never factor it in. Often, the one question they ask us is, "How much do you charge as immigration lawyers to work with us and help us submit our application?" Our fees are all laid out on our website, but what very few people talk about are the actual real costs—both hard and soft costs. We'll get into that in a bit, but first, let's go over the hard costs. This is in addition to any legal or representative fees you might pay. These include not just the immigration application fees but other necessary expenses. Right off the bat, Alicia, we have our government fees. Why don't you break those down for our listeners?
Alicia Backman-Beharry: This is a timely podcast, Mark, because if you haven't been following Canadian immigration closely, you might not have noticed that as of April 30, 2024, the Canadian government increased the amount of fees. Proof of funds and application fees have increased. If you're coming under a Federal Skilled Worker Class application, the proof of funds requirements have changed. In addition to expending money for your application, you also need to keep a set amount of funds in your bank account. The government fees for Express Entry increased as of April 30. It used to be around $1,300, and now it's $1,525 per applicant. These figures are current and accurate as of today, which is May. If you're looking at old information, it might have the old fees. As of April 30, 2024, the fees per adult applicant are $1,525. For a family of three—mom, dad, and a child—each adult pays $1,525, and dependent children pay $260, up from $230. The fees are usually lumped together to avoid delays.
Mark Holthe: And the reason Alicia says it slows it down is because if you only pay the application fee and not the right of permanent residence fee, it can delay your application up to a month or even longer. Most of you are very anxious to get this done quickly, so we always recommend paying it upfront.
Alicia Backman-Beharry: If you wanted to split them, the application processing fee is $950, and the right of permanent residence landing fee is $575. Biometrics are $85 per person or $170 for a family. Biometrics are done separately after submitting your application. For language tests, we picked IELTS as an example, but there are others like CELPIP and Pearson for English, and TCF and TEF for French. These tests cost around $300 CAD each. If both the principal applicant and spouse are claiming points for language, you'll need two tests.
Mark Holthe: Education Credential Assessments (ECAs) are necessary unless you've completed your highest level of education in Canada. Organizations like WES charge around $300 CAD per credential. If both husband and wife have education credentials to submit, you’ll need two assessments.
Alicia Backman-Beharry: Medical examinations are another cost. You may not need one upfront for Express Entry, but during processing, everyone will require one. Costs vary by panel physician, but for adults, it’s around $200 CAD, and for children, it’s around $160 CAD.
Mark Holthe: Police clearance certificates are required for every country you've lived in for six months in a row since turning 18. Costs can vary, but we estimated around $50 CAD per person for two countries. These are essential, and you don't need one for Canada unless specifically asked.
Alicia Backman-Beharry: Another significant cost is translation of documents. Certified translations can be pricey, especially for documents like bank records or property titles, which are often charged per word or per page.
Mark Holthe: Travel costs to Canada are another expense. For a family of three, we estimated $1,300 per person, totaling $3,900.
Alicia Backman-Beharry: Settlement funds are another requirement. As of May 27, immigration requires updated accessible funds in your bank account. For a family of three, this figure is $22,043.
Mark Holthe: To summarize, the total hard costs for a family of three, including IRCC processing fees and additional expenses, is roughly $9,690 CAD. These costs can vary based on personal circumstances.
Alicia Backman-Beharry: Besides these hard costs, there are also real soft costs involved in uprooting your life and moving to a new country.
Mark Holthe: Social costs include leaving behind a community and integrating into a new one, impacting family dynamics and children's education. Psychological costs involve the emotional toll of the immigration process and adjusting to a new environment. Opportunity costs include potential career disruptions and evaluating long-term career prospects in Canada.
Alicia Backman-Beharry: Educational adjustments are also significant. Immigrant parents often work multiple jobs, affecting family dynamics and children's education. Pre-arrival settlement services offered by IRCC can help ease the transition.
Mark Holthe: These soft costs are real and significant. Families often move for a better life for their children, but the transition can be challenging. It’s important to be prepared and have support systems in place.
Alicia Backman-Beharry: We hope this overview of the real costs of immigrating to Canada, both hard and soft, is beneficial.
Mark Holthe: Our firm, Holthe Immigration Law, is here to support and help you with your immigration process. We appreciate any referrals and work that comes our way. If you need any assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to us at HoltheLaw.com.
Alicia Backman-Beharry: Thank you for listening to the Canadian Immigration Podcast. For more helpful information, visit our Canadian Immigration Institute YouTube channel. See you soon, and all the best as you navigate this crazy world of Canadian immigration.
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