Canada Immigration Costs: Comprehensive Breakdown for a Family of 4

Cost of Immigrating to Canada is the first question every Vietnamese family asks when researching Canadian PR. The total cost of immigrating to Canada for a family of 4 under the skilled worker category in 2025 realistically falls within 600 million–1.2 billion VND, including government fees, service fees, proof of funds, and living expenses for the first 3–6 months. This article breaks down each item.

The Cost of Immigrating to Canada Falls into 3 Groups

• Procedural fees (5–8%): IRCC fees, ECA, IELTS, medical exam, and police certificate.
• Consulting service fees (10–20%): RCIC lawyer fees and application representation.
• Proof of funds & landing costs (70–85%): cash held in an account plus living costs for the first 3 months in Canada.

Detailed 2025 Cost Table for Immigrating to Canada

1. IRCC Government Fees (Mandatory)

• Main processing fee (Express Entry): 950 CAD per adult.
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): 575 CAD per adult.
• Dependent child fee: 260 CAD per child.
• Total for a family of 4 (2 parents + 2 children): 950×2 + 575×2 + 260×2 = 3,570 CAD ≈ 65 million VND.

See the official fee schedule at IRCC fees list.

2. ECA Fees (Educational Credential Assessment)

• WES, ICAS, IQAS: 220–300 CAD per person.
• Total for 2 spouses: ~500 CAD ≈ 9 million VND.

3. Phí IELTS / TEF

• IELTS General: 4.8 million VND per attempt × 1–2 attempts × 2 people = 10–20 million VND.
• TEF Canada (if taking the French test): ~10 million VND.

4. Panel Medical Exam Fees

• 3.5–5 million VND per person in Vietnam.
• Family of 4: ~15–20 million VND.

5. Police Certificate + Notarised Translation Fees

• Police certificate No. 2: 200,000 VND.
• Notarised translation of the entire application: 5–10 million VND.

6. Consulting/RCIC Lawyer Fees

• Express Entry FSW: 4,500–7,500 CAD ≈ 80–135 million VND.
• PNP with a nomination: 7,500–12,000 CAD ≈ 135–215 million VND.
• FST with job offer arrangement: 10,000–15,000 CAD ≈ 180–270 million VND.

A reputable RCIC-registered lawyer signs the application directly — reducing the risk of refusal due to advisory errors.

7. Proof of Funds (Settlement Funds)

This is the largest item in the cost of immigrating to Canada — funds that MUST be held in an account for at least 6 months:

• 1 person: 14,690 CAD ≈ 263 million VND.
• 2 people: 18,288 CAD ≈ 328 million VND.
• 3 people: 22,483 CAD ≈ 403 million VND.
• 4 people: 27,297 CAD ≈ 489 million VND.
• 5 people: 30,690 CAD ≈ 550 million VND.

Note: settlement funds are not lost — you bring that money to Canada to cover your first-year expenses. CEC and FST applicants with a job offer are exempt.

8. Phí vé máy bay + landing

• One-way ticket from Vietnam to Canada (Toronto/Vancouver): 25–40 million VND per person.
• Family of 4: 100–160 million VND.
• Hotel/Airbnb for the first 2–4 weeks: 80–150 million VND.

Total Cost of Immigrating to Canada for 4 Scenarios

• Single individual, Express Entry FSW: ~350–500 million VND (including proof of funds).
• Newlywed couple, Express Entry: ~480–650 million VND.
• Family of 4, Express Entry: ~700–950 million VND.
• Family of 4, PNP with a job offer: ~750 million – 1.1 billion VND.

How to optimize Canada immigration costs

1. Self-study for IELTS through online platforms — save 30–50 million VND compared to a center.
2. Choose a PNP with a job offer: exempt from proof of funds, saving ~400 million VND.
3. Go individually first, sponsor family later (Outland sponsorship) if your finances are tight.
4. All-inclusive contract: choose a consulting firm that commits to a refund if you fail — avoid hidden fees.

Frequently asked questions about Canada immigration costs

How much does it cost for a single person to immigrate to Canada?

About 350–500 million VND, including IRCC fees ~28 million, IELTS/ECA ~25 million, legal fees ~100 million, proof of funds ~263 million, and airfare ~30 million.

Can you borrow money to show proof of funds?

IRCC requires that the funds be legally owned, not borrowed. The account must have a history of ≥ 6 months. Borrowing from relatives without a loan contract is still accepted as long as there are no signs of a sudden spike.

Are Canada immigration costs refunded if the application fails?

The RPRF government fee (575 CAD) is refunded if the application fails. The main processing fee (950 CAD) is non-refundable. Legal service fees depend on the contract — M2W commits to a 100% refund if the failure is due to consulting error.

How much is the cost of living in Canada after landing?

A family of 4 in Calgary/Edmonton: 4,500–6,000 CAD/month (~80–110 million VND). Toronto/Vancouver: 6,000–9,000 CAD/month (~110–162 million).

Summary

Canada immigration costs are not small, but can be planned accurately within 18–24 months if you understand the line items clearly. See more at Skilled Worker Immigration to Canada A–Z and Express Entry CRS. Need an all-inclusive quote? Register for a free assessment to get a personalized estimate.