What IRCC changed on October 19
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published a program delivery update on October 19, 2026 for the instruction page "In-Canada family members [R207(e) – A70] – International Mobility Program". The update says it "Corrects the processing and biometric fees for family members" of protected persons described in subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
The corrected page now states three exemptions. Family members of protected persons do not pay the $155 work permit processing fee (exempt under paragraph R299(2)(b) of the Regulations), do not pay the $100 open work permit holder fee (exempt under R303.2(2)(a)) and do not pay the $85 biometric fee. The page adds that the regular biometric exemptions, such as the exemption for children under 14, also apply.
IRCC does not publish the earlier wording, so we cannot say what the page said before the correction. What matters for applicants is the current text: no fee is payable in these three categories.
Who this applies to
A70 is the administrative code for an open work permit issued under paragraph R207(e) to a family member, in Canada, of a person described in paragraphs R207(b) to (d). The principal applicant can be a spouse or common-law partner in Canada class applicant, a protected person under IRPA s. 95(2), or a permanent residence applicant approved on humanitarian and compassionate grounds or under a public policy. The fee exemption in this update is specific to one of those groups: the family members of protected persons.
The family member must be in Canada and must apply online through the IRCC secure account or the authorized paid representative portal. The instruction page says the principal applicant does not need to hold an R207 work permit themselves, but must still meet the requirements of their class when the decision is made.
The exemption matches the Regulations. Paragraph R299(2)(b) exempts "a person in Canada on whom refugee protection has been conferred, and their family members" from the work permit processing fee.
What the permit looks like
The A70 permit is an unrestricted open work permit: the employer field is "Open" and the occupation is open or open-restricted. The instruction page sets a maximum validity of 24 months. The permit cannot run past the applicant's passport validity or, where biometrics were given, the biometric enrolment date. If the applicant's immigration medical exam has expired, the permit carries conditions that restrict work in designated occupations.
What to do if you already paid
If you are a family member of a protected person and are preparing an A70 application, do not pay the work permit fee, the open work permit holder fee or the biometric fee. If you paid one of them on a recent application, check your receipt against the three categories above. The update says nothing about refunds, so get advice on your own file before acting.
Applicants who are family members of the other R207 groups (for example, the spouse of an in-Canada spousal sponsorship applicant) are not covered by this exemption and still pay the standard fees unless another exemption applies to them.
Two other housekeeping updates the same week
On October 19, IRCC also removed the "recaptured time" information from the instructions for contractual service suppliers and independent professionals under the Canada–Korea Free Trade Agreement (code F32), saying it is not relevant to that category. On October 20, it removed an old banner from the "Significant benefit to Canada" (code C10) instructions about start-up visa work permit applications made before January 30, 2023, because no affected applications remain. Neither update changes eligibility or fees.
Official sources
- IRCC: Program delivery update, October 19, 2026 – In-Canada family members [R207(e) – A70]
- IRCC: In-Canada family members [R207(e) – A70] – International Mobility Program
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, section 299 (work permit fee and exemptions)
- IRCC: Program delivery update, October 19, 2026 – CKFTA contractual service suppliers and independent professionals
- IRCC: Program delivery update, October 20, 2026 – Significant benefit to Canada [R205(a) – C10]