Getting a fee refund

My application was refused. Can I get a refund?

In most cases, no. Your application fees can’t be refunded once we start processing it. There are some exceptions. When an application is refused or withdrawn, we will refund:

• the right of permanent residence fee (RPRF)
• the right of citizenship fee
• the open work permit fee (for Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exempt workers only)
• the employer compliance fee (refunded to the employer), and
• International Experience Canada (IEC) fees (See refunds for IEC).

If I withdraw my application, will I get a refund?

In most cases, you can only get a refund if you withdraw your application before we start processing it.

If we have already start processing your application, we can only refund:

• the right of permanent residence fee (RPRF)
• the right of citizenship fee
• the open work permit fee (for Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exempt workers only)
• the employer compliance fee (refunded to the employer), and
• International Experience Canada (IEC) fees (See refunds for IEC)

You can request a refund online. If we started processing your application, submit your withdrawal request using our web form.

After you submit a request, we will contact you if we need more information and to update you on the status of your request.

If you return my application, will I get a refund?

Yes, you’ll get a refund if we return your application. We’ll return your application if

• it was incomplete
• it was received before the program re-opened
• the program was full

We’ll only refund the biometrics fee if

• you didn’t give your biometrics, or
• you gave your biometrics by mistake (for example, you provided biometrics even though you were exempt)

Refunds can take up to eight weeks to complete. If you’ve been waiting longer, submit a refund request.

I submitted an application but want to change programs. Can I apply the fees I already paid to my new application?

No. If you want to apply under a different program, submit a new application and pay the fees again. If you withdraw your first application before we start processing it, you will get a refund.

International Experience Canada (IEC) applicants: See refunds for IEC.

See also: If I withdraw my application, will I get a refund?

I paid my fees online but decided not to submit an application. Can I get a refund?

Yes. Find out how to request a refund.

I didn’t pay enough for my application. What can I do?

Find out if you can pay the difference online. If you can, pay it and include both receipts with your application. We will accept more than one receipt for the same application if they add up to the right amount.

If you can’t pay the difference online, request a refund for your payment and try paying again. Make sure you pay the right amount and include the receipt with your application.

I paid too much for my application. Can I get a refund?

Yes. After your application is processed, we will confirm your overpayment and refund you the difference.

Unfortunately, we do not offer refunds for eTA applications.

I paid online for the wrong fee but the amount is correct. What should I do?

You can submit your receipt with a different application if the amount is the same. Your receipt is not linked to the service or application you selected.

How do I ask for a refund if I paid my fees online or at a bank in Canada?

You can request a refund online if you have your receipt number. After you submit a request, we will contact you if we need more information and to update you on the status of your request.

If you used a credit card or a prepaid card to pay, we will issue a refund to the same card. Keep it until the refund is complete to prevent delays. If we can’t refund your payment to your credit card, we will issue a cheque.

If you paid at a bank in Canada or with a debit card, we will issue a cheque.

Refunds can take up to eight weeks to process.

Find out how to get your receipt number if you don’t have it.

International Experience Canada (IEC) applicants, see refunds for IEC

How do I withdraw my permanent resident card application?

To withdraw your permanent resident card application, send your request using the web form.

Include the following information:

• Your name
• Your date of birth
• Your address
• The date the application was sent
• Your client ID number (if available)
• A copy of the electronic payment receipt or a copy of both sides of the payment receipt (Form IMM5401)
• The reason for the withdrawal

Keep a copy of your withdrawal request for your personal records.

We can refuse a withdrawal request if the card has already been processed. If we have already started processing your application, you will not be able to get a refund.

I got a refund but it was not the same amount I paid. Why?

This happens when you pay in your local currency instead of Canadian dollars. The amount of your refund depends on the exchange rate. When we refund you, the amount you get back reflects the exchange rate on the day we issue the refund. Exchange rates change every day so the amount you get back won’t match what you paid.

The Canadian dollar value of your payment and your refund will always be the same.

Refunding an online payment

We collect and refund online payments in Canadian dollars. When we issue a refund to a card using another currency, your bank will convert it from Canadian dollars for you. We are not involved in this exchange process.

Refunding cheques and other payment methods

If your mailing address at the time of your refund request is overseas, we will issue your refund by cheque or direct deposit in your local currency. We use the exchange rate from the day we issue the refund.