How much does immigrating to Canada from Cameroon cost? The budget item by item (2026)
How much does immigrating to Canada cost? is the first question we are asked at the firm, even before do I have a chance? The honest answer comes in two currencies: Canadian dollars for what the Government of Canada requires, and CFA francs for what is paid in Cameroon. Here is the complete budget for permanent residence through Express Entry, item by item, with the amounts currently in force.
The official IRCC fees (schedule of 30 avril 2026)
They are paid online, on the IRCC portal, never to an intermediary. Processing fee: 990 CAD for the principal applicant, 990 CAD for the spouse, 270 CAD per dependent child. Right of permanent residence fee: 600 CAD per adult, payable before the visa is issued. Biometrics: 85 CAD per person aged 14 and over, capped at 170 CAD per family.
A single person therefore pays 990 + 600 + 85 = 1 675 CAD. A couple with one child: 990 + 990 + 270 + 600 + 600 + 170 = 3 620 CAD.
The language test
The TCF Canada costs in the region of 200 000 CFA francs for the four components, per adult. A spouse who wants to bring points to the application takes their own test. Add serious preparation: this is the item that earns the most points per franc spent. All the more so since the Prépa TCF topics come up again at the exam: working through all of them, in full, maximises your chances on test day.
The Educational Credential Assessment (WES)
The Educational Credential Assessment by WES costs a little over 260 CAD, plus taxes and document shipping. Budget 150 000 to 200 000 CFA francs all in, per person assessed, including the cost of having your university send your transcripts.
The medical exam
It is done with the IOM in Cameroon, after the invitation. Schedule of août 2026: 112 890 CFA francs per adult, 88 375 CFA francs per youth, 62 715 CFA francs per child. The IOM revises this schedule every month; our How much does it cost tool applies the current month's schedule.
Biometrics, the police certificate, the small costs
Biometrics (85 CAD, counted above) are given at the visa application centre in Yaoundé. Add the travel there. The police certificate, compliant photographs, certified copies and any translations amount to a few tens of thousands of francs. These are small sums, but a missing document costs months.
Proof of funds: money to show, not to spend
Unless you already have a valid job offer in Canada, you must prove that you have funds to settle: a little over 15 000 CAD for a single person, about 19 000 CAD for two, 23 000 CAD for three (2025 schedule, revised each year by IRCC). In CFA francs, that comes to about 6.7 million for a single person. This money must be available and supported by bank statements; it remains yours.
Departure
A Douala–Montréal or Douala–Toronto plane ticket ranges between 600 000 and 900 000 CFA francs per adult depending on the season. Plan for your first month on the ground: housing, transport, phone.
The realistic total
For a single person, excluding the ticket and excluding proof of funds: about 1.3 million CFA francs (IRCC fees, language test, WES, medical exam, small costs). With the ticket: about 2 million. Proof of funds is added as a sum you must have, not spend. For a couple with one child, double the personal items and count 3 620 CAD in IRCC fees.
What professional support costs
With us, a one-off consultation costs 30 000 CFA francs, the review of an application before submission 10 000 CFA francs, and support packages are quoted free of charge. What we never sell: a visa guarantee. The outcome belongs to IRCC.
Calculate your budget at today's exchange rate, person by person: /check-list.html#couts — and have your profile assessed free of charge: /evaluation.html