Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
How Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship spent its budget in fiscal year 2023-24, on a Volume II appropriations basis.
Department Spending
In FY 2023-24,
$6.35B
was spent by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
In FY 2023-24,
1.2%
of federal spending was by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
The Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is the federal department responsible for managing immigration policies, issuing passports, processing visas and permanent residency applications, and supporting newcomers to Canada. It plays a key role in shaping Canada's immigration system, refugee protection policies, and pathways to citizenship.
IRCC spent $6.35B in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 1.2% of the $513.9 billion in overall federal spending. The department ranked thirteenth among federal departments in total spending.
IRCC accounted for 1.2% of all federal spending in FY 2024. 10 government departments accounted for 73.2% of federal spending in FY 2024
Federal spending may shift over time due to population growth, changes in policy and programs, and emerging problems to address. Since 1995, overall federal spending has risen 74.9%, while IRCC spending has increased 428% (adjusted for inflation).
The department's spending has grown more than overall spending, which means that the department's share of the federal budget has increased. In FY 2024, IRCC accounted for 1.2% of all federal spending, 0.8 percentage points higher than in 1995.
Major legislation, internal or global economic conditions, and acute events like the COVID-19 pandemic can significantly influence government spending year to year. For instance, during the pandemic, the Government of Canada's total expenses rose from $410.2 billion in 2019 to $420 billion in 2020 and further to $720.3 billion in 2021.
Similarly, IRCC's expenditures experienced notable fluctuations during this period, surging from approximately $3.02 billion in 2019 to $6.35B in 2024.
Federal government spending isolated to FY 2024
Federal departments often contain other entities including offices, crown corporations and agencies. In FY 2024, IRCC reported total expenditures of $6.2 billion, broken out as follows:
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is led by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, who is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and formally sworn into office at Rideau Hall. Upon appointment, the Minister takes the Oath of Office and the Oath of Allegiance, becoming a member of the King's Privy Council for Canada.
The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship is one of the cabinet members who serve at the Prime Minister's discretion. Their tenure typically ends when they resign, are replaced, or when a new Prime Minister appoints a new cabinet. Outgoing ministers continue in their roles until their successors are sworn in.
How did Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship spend its budget in 2023-24?
Spending by entity, FY 2023-24
Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Immigration and Refugee Board
$6.01B
$341.3M
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship’s share of federal spending
Percentage of federal spending, 2014–2025
Line items
Complete appropriation (vote/allotment) and transfer-payment lines, in dollars. Search, sort, and download the full table.
| Vote | Description | Total available | Used ▼ | Lapsed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vote 10 | Grants and contributions | $3,343,084,889 | $2,993,638,276 | $349,446,613 |
| Vote 1 | Operating expenditures | $3,001,259,680 | $2,717,430,466 | $283,829,214 |
| Vote 1 | Program expenditures | $340,725,368 | $304,748,694 | $35,976,674 |
| Statutory amounts | Statutory amounts | $475,739,753 | $281,601,336 | $194,138,417 |
| Statutory amounts | Statutory amounts | $36,546,881 | $36,507,821 | $39,060 |
| Vote 5 | Capital expenditures | $23,570,166 | $13,658,436 | $9,911,730 |
Explore other federal departments
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship figures are on a Volume II appropriations basis and will not match the Volume I consolidated headline totals. See the methodology for details.
