IRCC Policy Update — April 15, 2026
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Effective April 1, 2026, eight immigration rule changes took effect including: Canadian passport fees rising to CA$163.50 for a 10-year adult book and CA$122.50 for a five-year book (first increase since 2013), and a new 30-business-day passport processing guarantee with an automatic full refund if not met.
Super Visa income requirements were made more flexible as of April 1, 2026, broadening eligibility for Canadians sponsoring parents and grandparents on a Super Visa.
IRCC's 2026-27 Departmental Plan anticipates sharp reductions in temporary residents as part of the government's broader stabilization strategy, targeting temporary resident population below 5% of Canada's total population by 2027.
What You Should Do
- If you need to renew or apply for a Canadian passport, note the new fees effective March 31, 2026: CA$163.50 for a 10-year adult passport or CA$122.50 for a 5-year passport when applying from within Canada. Submit a complete application to qualify for the 30-business-day money-back guarantee — details at canada.ca/passport.
- If you are considering a Super Visa for a parent or grandparent, review the updated (more flexible) income requirements effective April 1, 2026 at canada.ca/super-visa to see if you now qualify under the new rules.
- If you are a temporary resident (worker or student) in Canada, be aware that IRCC's 2026-28 plan targets a reduction of the temporary resident population to under 5% of Canada's total population by 2027 — review your pathway to permanent residence now and consult canada.ca/immigration-levels-plan for the full strategy.
Sources
Topics Covered
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: IRCC's 2026-27 Departmental Plan confirms the government's stabilization phase: sharp reductions in temporary residents are anticipated, with a goal of bringing the temporary resident population below 5% of Canada's total population by 2027.
Service Fee Adjustments: Effective March 31–April 1, 2026, Canadian passport fees increased for the first time since 2013 (10-year adult: CA$163.50; 5-year: CA$122.50), paired with a 30-business-day processing guarantee with automatic refund if missed.
More IRCC Policy Updates
IRCC Policy Update — June 8, 2026
Jun 8, 2026
IRCC Policy Update — June 4, 2026
Jun 4, 2026
IRCC Policy Update — June 1, 2026
Jun 1, 2026
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