Immigration Cost in Montreal (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangeIn Montreal, immigration costs usually combine government application fees and, if you use help, professional service fees. Verified federal and Quebec government fees can run from a few hundred dollars for simpler matters to well over CAD 2,000 for permanent residence applications, before biometrics, medical exams, language tests or document translation. Professional representation by a Quebec immigration lawyer or licensed consultant is commonly charged separately, often as an estimated hourly rate or fixed package depending on the case complexity.
Overview
For someone arranging immigration in Montreal, the biggest cost split is between official government fees and optional professional fees. On the government side, costs depend on the route: temporary residence, work permit, study permit, sponsorship, permanent residence and Quebec-selected immigration all have different charges. Quebec also adds its own immigration processing in some categories, notably the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) stream. At federal level, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes application, right of permanent residence and biometrics fees. Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) publishes its own tariff for Quebec-specific applications. If you hire professional help in Montreal, only certain people may represent you for payment: Quebec notaries and lawyers in good standing, or licensed immigration consultants regulated federally. Service fees vary widely by case type and complexity. Straightforward temporary status applications are often at the lower end, while business immigration, refusals, appeals and family files with complications cost more. Beyond legal fees, applicants may also need to budget for translation, certified copies, medical exams, police certificates and language tests. Because immigration pricing changes periodically through government fee updates and because each file is highly fact-specific, the total bill for a Montreal immigration matter can vary substantially even within the same visa category.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence application fee (principal applicant)(per application) IRCC lists CAD 950 processing plus CAD 575 right of permanent residence fee for many economic permanent residence applications. | ~C$950 – C$1,575 | Estimated range |
| Biometrics fee(per application) IRCC publishes CAD 85 per person or CAD 170 maximum for a family applying together at the same time. | ~C$85 – C$170 | Estimated range |
| Work permit application fee(per application) IRCC lists CAD 155 for a work permit, with an additional CAD 100 if an open work permit holder fee applies. | ~C$155 – C$255 | Estimated range |
| Study permit application fee(per application) Federal government fee published by IRCC. | ~C$150 – C$150 | Estimated range |
| Quebec Selection Certificate (regular skilled worker principal applicant)(per application) Quebec publishes CSQ-related fees; exact category and dependent fees vary by programme. | ~C$921 – C$921 | Estimated range |
| Professional immigration representation in Montreal(per matter) Estimated range based on typical market rates for Canadian immigration consultants and lawyers: simpler consultations or temporary residence files are often in the low hundreds to low thousands, while more complex permanent residence, sponsorship, refusal or business files can run into several thousand dollars. Government fees are usually extra. | ~C$150 – C$5,000 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Government processing fees where applicable
- Possible Quebec provincial processing fees for certain streams
- Optional paid professional representation
- Usually excludes medicals, biometrics, translations and courier costs unless stated
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC); Barreau du Québec; Chambre des notaires du Québec
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Professional work can range from a single paid consultation to many months of case handling; government processing times vary by programme.
How Fees Work
Usually a mix of fixed government filing fees plus either a paid consultation, hourly billing or a fixed professional package. More complex files may involve staged payments and separate disbursements.
Factors Affecting Price
- Type of immigration matter, such as study permit, work permit, family sponsorship, permanent residence or appeal
- Whether Quebec-specific processing applies in addition to federal IRCC fees
- Complexity of the file, including dependants, previous refusals, admissibility issues or business immigration
- Whether you use a lawyer, notary or licensed immigration consultant and whether they charge hourly or fixed-fee packages
- Extra disbursements such as translation, language testing, biometrics, medical exams and police certificates
Local Context
In Montreal, immigration matters often involve both federal and Quebec systems, which can make the total cost higher than in provinces where only federal processing is relevant. Professional fees may also attract GST/QST depending on the provider. Tipping is not relevant for legal or regulated immigration services.
These are data-informed estimate ranges, not confirmed prices.
Costs like this vary widely by job, location, timing and provider, so there is no single fixed price. The ranges here are based on typical market rates to give you a realistic ballpark. For an exact figure for your situation, get a quote or check the official source below.
All figures are in Canadian dollars. Government fees are normally charged in CAD even when applications are submitted from abroad.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants · official
Regulatory body for licensed immigration and citizenship consultants in Canada.
- Barreau du Québec · official
Professional body for Quebec lawyers who may provide immigration legal services.
- Chambre des notaires du Québec · official
Professional body for Quebec notaries who may provide authorised immigration representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Montreal immigration costs include government fees and professional fees?+
Not usually. Government filing fees are separate from what a lawyer, notary or licensed immigration consultant charges. Always check whether a quoted package excludes biometrics, translations, medical exams and taxes.
Are Quebec immigration fees separate from federal fees?+
Often yes. Some Quebec pathways require a provincial application and fee to MIFI as well as federal processing through IRCC. That means the same case can involve two layers of official fees.
Who can legally charge for immigration advice in Montreal?+
Paid representation is generally limited to Quebec lawyers and notaries in good standing, or licensed immigration consultants regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants.
How much should I budget for a simple work or study permit?+
Verified government fees are CAD 155 for a work permit, plus CAD 100 if an open work permit fee applies, and CAD 150 for a study permit. If you hire professional help, service fees are extra and vary by provider and case complexity.
What extra costs are common beyond the application fee?+
Common extras include biometrics, medical examinations, police certificates, language testing, certified translations, document notarisation and courier charges.
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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
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