Applying for a Canadian visa, study permit, work permit, or permanent residence? You might be wondering if you need to provide biometrics as part of your application. Biometrics—fingerprints and a digital photo—are used to verify your identity. This guide will help you determine if biometrics are required for your Canadian immigration application.
Temporary Exemptions for Biometrics in Canada
Alt: Passport information page with country code GBR highlighted, illustrating international travel documents.
Are you currently in Canada and applying for temporary residence?
Good news! You are temporarily exempt from providing biometrics if you are applying for temporary residence from within Canada, or if you already have a temporary residence application in progress.
Answer: You’re temporarily exempt from giving biometrics.
For applications made within Canada for a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit, or for permanent residence, you are not required to give your biometrics until biometrics collection services are fully established across Canada.
Answer: You’re temporarily exempt from giving biometrics.
Biometrics Requirements Based on Application Date
When you need to give biometrics depends on when your application was received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
If your application was received before July 31st:
You must give your biometrics if you are between 14 and 79 years old. This applies even if you have provided biometrics in the past for a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit application.
Answer: You may need to give your biometrics depending on when we received your application.
If your application was received on or after July 31st:
You do not need to give biometrics if:
- You have already provided biometrics in the past for a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit application, and
- Your biometrics are still valid.
You can easily check the validity of your biometrics using the Check Status Tool on the IRCC website.
Answer: You may need to give your biometrics depending on when we received your application.
Biometrics for US Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders)
Are you a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. with a valid Green Card?
- For applications received before July 31st: You do not need to give biometrics.
Answer: You don’t need to give your biometrics.
- For applications received on or after July 31st: You need to give your biometrics if:
- You are applying for a study permit, work permit, or permanent residence.
- You are between 14 and 79 years old.
- You have not given biometrics in the past.
If you have previously provided biometrics and they are still valid, you are exempt from providing them again for your current application. Again, you can verify your biometric status using the Check Status Tool.
Answer: You may need to give your biometrics depending on when we received your application.
Biometrics Validity
How long are your biometrics valid?
If your biometrics are still valid, you generally do not need to provide them again.
For visitor visas, study permits, and work permits, biometrics are usually valid for 10 years. If you are applying for permanent residence, even if you have valid biometrics from a previous temporary residence application, you will likely need to provide them again.
Answer: You don’t need to give your biometrics as long as they’re still valid.
What if your biometrics are no longer valid?
If your biometrics have expired, you will need to provide them again when you apply.
Answer: You need to give your biometrics.
First-Time Biometrics Enrollment
Have you never given biometrics before?
If you are between 14 and 79 years old and applying for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit, or permanent residence, and you have never provided biometrics to IRCC in the past, you will need to give your biometrics.
Answer: You need to give your biometrics.
Biometrics Based on Travel Purpose
What is your purpose of travel to Canada?
- Visiting Canada Only: If you are only visiting Canada as a tourist, you generally do not need to give biometrics. You may only need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
Answer: You may need to give your biometrics depending on what you plan to do in Canada.
- Studying or Working in Canada: If you plan to study or work in Canada and are between 14 and 79 years old, you need to give biometrics. This applies to study permits for more than 6 months and work permits.
Answer: You may need to give your biometrics depending on what you plan to do in Canada.
- Transiting through Canada: You do not need to give biometrics if you are only transiting through Canada.
Answer: You don’t need to give your biometrics.
Biometrics for Permanent Residence
Applying for Permanent Residence?
For most permanent residence applications, if you are between 14 and 79 years old, you need to give your biometrics, regardless of whether you have given them before for temporary residence. This includes applications under:
- Family Class
- Economic Class
- Refugee, Protected Person, or Asylum Status
Answer: You need to give your biometrics.
Permanent Resident Card:
Generally, most permanent resident card applicants do not need to give biometrics.
Exception: Biometrics are required for permanent resident card applications only if all of the following apply:
- You were younger than 14 when your permanent residence application was received on or after July 31, 2018.
- You are now 14 years or older.
- You are applying for a new, replacement, or renewal of your permanent resident card.
Answer: You don’t need to give your biometrics.
Permanent Resident Travel Document:
You do not need to give biometrics when applying for a permanent resident travel document.
Answer: You don’t need to give your biometrics.
Biometrics for US Citizens and Nationals
Are you a U.S. citizen or national?
As a U.S. citizen or national, you generally do not need to give biometrics for visiting Canada.
Exception: If you are applying for permanent residence in Canada, you will need to give your biometrics.
Answer: You don’t need to give your biometrics.
How to Give Your Biometrics
Making an Appointment:
You need to make an appointment to give your biometrics. You cannot simply walk in.
When and Where to Give Biometrics:
After submitting your application, IRCC will send you a letter instructing you on how and where to give your biometrics. You will have up to 30 days to provide your biometrics in person at an official collection location.
Official Biometrics Collection Locations:
- Designated Service Canada offices
- Visa Application Centres (VACs) worldwide
- Application Support Centers (ASCs) in the United States and its territories (if you are legally in the U.S.)
Answer: You need to give your biometrics.
Application Process for Biometrics:
- Submit your application and pay the biometrics fee. It is advisable to pay the biometrics fee at the time of application to avoid delays.
- Receive a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL). This letter will be sent to you after you apply and will provide instructions on how to give your biometrics.
- Online applications: The BIL will be sent to your online account within 24 hours.
- Paper applications: The BIL will be mailed to you within approximately two weeks.
- Make an appointment at a designated biometrics collection location.
- Attend your appointment within 30 days and provide your fingerprints and photo.
Answer: You need to give your biometrics.
Determining if Your Application Was Received Before July 31, 2018
How do you know if your application was received before July 31, 2018?
- Online applications: Check the “Date submitted” column in the “View the applications you submitted” section of your account.
- Paper applications:
- Courier service: Use the courier’s tracking information to find the delivery date.
- Regular mail: Contact the location where you sent your application to inquire about the received date.
Answer: You may need to give biometrics depending on when we received your application.
Visa-Exempt Travellers
Are you a visa-exempt traveller?
If you are a visa-exempt traveller planning to visit Canada only for 6 months or less, you do not need to give biometrics. You should apply for an eTA instead of a visitor visa.
Answer: You don’t need to give your biometrics.
Staying Longer Than 6 Months (Visa-Exempt Travellers):
If you wish to stay longer than 6 months, inform the border services officer upon arrival. They may authorize a longer stay. Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents may be eligible for a super visa, allowing stays of up to 2 years.
Answer: You may need to give your biometrics depending on what you plan to do in Canada.
Travellers with Passports Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Travelling with a passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
- Ordinary Passport (with personal identification number): If your passport includes a personal identification number and you are only visiting Canada, you should apply for an eTA. You do not need to give biometrics.
Answer: You may need to give your biometrics depending on what you plan to do in Canada, and the type of passport you travel with.
- Passport without personal identification number: If your passport does not have a personal identification number, you need a visitor visa. Starting December 31, 2018, you need to give biometrics when applying for a visa, even for visits only.
Answer: You may need to give your biometrics depending on what you plan to do in Canada, and the type of passport you travel with.
Valid Biometrics for Previous Permanent Residence Application
Have you given biometrics for a previous permanent residence application that is still in process?
If you have provided biometrics for a permanent residence application that is still being processed and are now applying for a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit, you do not need to give biometrics again.
However, if you submit a new permanent residence application, you will need to provide biometrics again for that new application.
Answer: You may not need to give biometrics again.
Disclaimer: This information provides general guidance and is based on the provided text. Biometrics requirements can be complex and may vary based on individual circumstances. Always refer to the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for the most up-to-date and accurate information and to confirm if biometrics are required for your specific application.
