Both the United Kingdom and Canada have implemented significant fee increases for immigration and citizenship applications effective April 2026, a move that substantially raises the financial burden for Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking residency or naturalization in both nations.
The United Kingdom and Canada have officially announced a series of fee increases for immigration and citizenship applications set to take effect in April 2026. These revisions, published by the UK Home Office and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), will significantly impact Nigerians and other foreign nationals planning to visit, work, or settle in either country. Based on current exchange rates as of April 2, 2026—calculated at £1 to N1,822.81 and CA$1 to N992.36—the financial requirements for many routes have reached record highs. The UK’s revised fee schedule is slated to become active on April 8, 2026, while Canada’s updated permanent residence and citizenship charges will follow shortly after on April 30, 2026.
Under the new schedules, the cost of permanent residency and settlement has seen a sharp upward trajectory. In Canada, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee is rising to CA$600 (N595,416), while the Provincial Nominee Programme principal applicant fee increases to CA$990 (N982,436). Business Class applicants face a new charge of CA$1,895 (N1,880,022). Meanwhile, the UK has pushed the cost of Indefinite Leave to Remain to £3,226 (N5,878,544), up from £3,029. Furthermore, a dependent relative on the UK settlement route will now require £3,635 (N6,625,913), highlighting a stark difference in the entry costs between the two popular migration destinations.
Nationality and citizenship pathways are also seeing adjusted valuations. Canada’s Right of Citizenship Fee has risen to CA$123 (N122,060), effective as of March 31, 2026. In contrast, British citizenship through naturalization will now cost £1,709 (N3,115,480), while adult registration as a British citizen is set at £1,540 (N2,807,127). Notably, the UK has bucked the trend of increases in one specific area, reducing the fee for child registration from £1,214 to £1,000 (N1,822,810). As the April deadlines approach, experts suggest that prospective applicants should expedite their filings to avoid the substantial financial surge associated with the new fiscal policies.
Permanent residence and settlement
| Category | Canada (Revised) | UK (Revised) |
| Right of Permanent Residence | CA$600 (N595,416) | £2,064 (N3,760,279)* |
| Principal Applicant (PNP/Settlement) | CA$990 (N982,436) | £3,226 (N5,878,544) |
| Business Class | CA$1,895 (N1,880,022) | — |
| Family Class / Dependant Relative | CA$570 (N565,645) | £3,635 (N6,625,913) |