FSW vs PNP – the better option?

Canada Immigration Consultants

Earlier last month, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced an increase in their processing fees which was applicable from 30th April 2022. In 2020, IRCC increased Permanent Residence fees to account for inflation for the first time since 2002. At that time, IRCC also announced that it would increase fees every two years to adjust for inflation.

In Canada, you always end up applying to IRCC for Permanent Residence as constitutionally, the federal government has the final say on Immigration. You can, however, also apply to individual provinces for a nomination certificate to support your PR application to IRCC. When you apply for Immigration to Canada, you usually have to pay an application fee for yourself along with any dependents accompanying you to Canada such as your spouse or common-law partner, and children.

Starting April 30th, the immigration program fees were increased by about $40 more than the current cost of $1,325. Primary applicants and dependent spouses will have to pay $1,365 in addition to biometrics fees to apply.

In the table below, you will see the different programs for which the fees were increased. 

ProgramApplicantsCurrent feeNew fee April 30, 2022
Right of Permanent Residence FeePrincipal applicant and accompanying spouse or common-law partner$500$515
Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program and Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class and most Economic Pilots (Rural, Agri-Food)Principal applicant$825$850
Accompanying spouse or common-law partner$825$850
Accompanying dependent child$225$230
Live-in Caregiver Program and Caregivers Pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot)Principal applicant$550$570
Accompanying spouse or common-law partner$550$570
Accompanying dependent child$150$155
Business (Federal and Quebec)Principal applicant$1,575$1,625
Accompanying spouse or common-law partner$825$850
Accompanying dependent child$225$230
Family Reunification (Spouses, Partners and Children; Parents and Grandparents; and other relatives)Sponsorship fee$75$75
Sponsored principal applicant$475$490
Sponsored dependent child$75$75
Accompanying spouse or common-law partner$550$570
Accompanying dependent child$150$155
Protected PersonsPrincipal applicant$550$570
Accompanying spouse or common-law partner$550$570
Accompanying dependent child$150$155
Humanitarian and Compassionate / Public PolicyPrincipal applicant$550$570
Accompanying spouse or common-law partner$550$570
Accompanying dependent child$150$155
Permit HoldersPrincipal applicant$325$335

In addition to the fees required to apply for immigration to the federal government, PNP and Quebec candidates often have to pay application fees to their desired province. There are now four Provincial Nominee Programs that do not charge fees to apply for nominations: Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, and the Yukon. Newfoundland and Labrador recently removed its fees as an effort to encourage newcomers to apply for immigration to the provinces.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) + QuebecApplication fee for the principal applicant
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)$500
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)$1,150
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)$500
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP)$250
Newfoundland and Labrador Nominee Program (NLPNP)$0
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)$0
Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)$0
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)$1,500
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)$300
Quebec$844
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)$350
Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)$0

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination are awarded an additional 600 points reward to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This award effectively guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and the ability to apply for permanent residence.

Now the question of whether you should apply directly to a federal program or a provincial one is ultimately your decision. One should base this decision on which streams they are available for and the ones that give you the best chance of getting a Permanent Residency.