July 30, 2018
Requirements for Biometrics Expansion Program
Starting July 31, 2018, foreign workers applying from Europe, Middle East, and Africa for a visitor visa, study or work permit (except US nationals), or permanent residence will need to give their biometrics. To facilitate repeat travel to Canada, applicants for a visitor visa, study or work permit will only need to give their biometrics once every 10 years.
Upon arrival in Canada, fingerprint verification will be automatically conducted at a primary inspection kiosk at 8 major Canadian airports. At other airports and land ports of entry, discretionary fingerprint verification will be conducted by a border services officer upon referral to secondary inspection, where the traveller’s identity will be verified to ensure that the person seeking entry to Canada is the same person who was approved overseas.
There is a temporary exemption for those applying for a visa, study or work permit, or permanent residence from in Canada. Those applicants are currently exempt from obtaining biometrics until the in-Canada service is established in 2019.
Those applicants from Europe, Middle East, and Africa will be required to give biometrics starting July 31, 2018. If you are outside Canada, you must schedule an appointment at an Application Support Center (ASC) or Visa Application Centre (VAC). Giving your biometrics at the port of entry is ONLY available for asylum claimants and work or study permit applicants who are eligible to apply at the port of entry.
For further information on biometrics, please feel free to contact us to discuss your immigration needs, or follow the link to discover more at: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/campaigns/biometrics/facts.html.