New public policy: biometric exemption for certain foreign nationals.

It’s no news that COVID-19 has taken Canada’s immigration system for a wild ride. Over the last six months, we have seen application processing significantly delayed, like the permanent residence renewal from 28 days to over 200 days, or completely halted, like the temporary resident visa processing from April 2020 to July 2020

While we continue to be far from normal standards, Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have slowly rolled out several public policies to aid in the efforts to regularize immigration processing. Gradual resumption of in-person services has started, and in some cases, exemptions have been made to allow for applications to reach a decision.

The new biometrics expansion was rolled out over the prior two years, which required the need for biometrics for most Canadian immigration applications, including permanent residence. With the close of service centers in Canada and VACs abroad, applicants have been unable to complete these requests. IRCC has allowed for extensions on such requests, but without the completion of biometrics, if required, an application cannot be concluded.

On September 22, 2020, IRCC announced the exemption for biometrics for foreign nationals that meet both of the following:

• Foreign nationals who have submitted an application for permanent residence made from within or outside Canada, AND

• Foreign nationals who have already submitted biometrics in support of another Canadian immigration application within the last ten years.

If you have already submitted an application for permanent residence and paid your biometric fee upfront, you will receive a refund automatically from IRCC.

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