Understanding Canadian biometrics.
Starting in the summer of 2018, the Canadian government implemented an additional level of security when you apply for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or permanent residence. To facilitate travel to Canada, applicants between the age of 14 and 79, will be required to provide their fingerprints.
Find out if you need to give biometrics
Why
The Canadian government has announced the collection of biometrics will help facilitate the application process as well as simplify the entry of low-risk travellers into Canada. Biometrics will help Canadian visa officers confirm your identity, reduce stolen identities and resolve errors if your name, date of birth or place of birth are similar to those of someone else. After completion of your biometrics, your fingerprints and photo will be encrypted and sent electronically to the Government of Canada database. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police will check your fingerprints against the records of criminals, refugee claimants, deportees and temporary resident applicants. If there is an existing match, it will be analyzed by the visa office, to assist in the determination of your visa application. When you enter Canada, the Canadian Border Officer will use your biometrics to verify you are the same person who was issued the Canadian visa.
When
At the time of submission of your application, you will be asked to pay a biometric fee, either CAD 85 for an individual or CAD 170 for a family. Once your application is submitted, the Government of Canada will issue you a Biometrics Instruction Letter. You will have 30 days from the date of this request letter to complete your biometrics.
Where
As of December 31, 2018, there are currently 152 Visa Application Centers in 102 countries where you can give your biometrics. More centers will continue to open throughout 2019.
For applications processed at a visa office in Canada, such as the Inland Spousal Sponsorship, status extensions or restoration of status, there is currently a public policy in place which exempts applicants from completing biometrics as there are no biometric service delivery networks available in Canada. These are expected to open in 2019.
If you are already in Canada, but your application is not eligible to be processed at the visa office in Canada, such as initial study permits for post-secondary students, you will need to leave Canada to complete your biometrics. To find the closest Visa Application Center Click Here
If you are eligible, you may be able to give your biometrics at a Canadian port of entry.
Exemptions
There are some exemptions to the biometric request, and if you fit into one of the below, you do not need to provide your biometrics:
Tourists who are visa exempt and hold a valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Refugee claimants or protected persons who have already provided biometrics are applying for a study or work permit
U.S Visa holders transiting through Canada
Children under 14 years of age or applicants over 79 (there is no maximum age exemption for asylum claimants)
Temporary residents who have already provided biometrics in support of a permanent resident application which is still in process
Cabinet Ministers and accredited diplomats coming into Canada on official business and Heads of State and government
Canadian citizens, or citizenship applicants or existing permanent residents
Frequently Asked Questions
Will it delay my application?
If you have submitted a temporary application (visitor visa, study or work permit), the time it takes to give your biometric is not included in the governments processing time. This means, the sooner you provide your biometrics, the sooner the application will start processing.
If you have submitted a permanent residence application, the biometrics is included in the application processing time. You should still complete this step as quickly as possible.
Will I need to give biometrics again for future applications?
If your application is refused, or you need to apply for a new visa, you will not need to give your biometrics again. Biometrics are valid for ten years. If you apply for permanent residence, you will need to complete biometrics each time you apply.
To find out if your biometrics are still valid, Click Here.
Can I do my biometrics at the Canadian Port of Entry?
Approximately 19 airports and 38 land ports can complete biometrics at the Port of Entry. This is only for specific visa-exempt applicants applying for work and study permits, who are authorized under the Immigration regulation to apply at the Port of Entry. In most cases, you will not be able to complete your biometrics at the border.