“Did You Know? Biometrics Is Changing the Game! Find Out How.”

Who needs to give their Fingerprints & Photo (Biometrics)?

You would have to give biometrics if you apply for:

1. Visitor Visa.
2. Work/Study Permit (US nationals excluded).
3. Permanent Residency.
4. Refugee/Asylum Status.
5. Extension of stay in Canada, also known as a Visitor Record.
6. Work/Study Permit extension.

There are a few exemptions as well as temporary measures for biometrics collections for special situations.

You may use the Click Status Tool to see if your biometrics are still valid.

You will have to give your biometrics if you have an alien passport. 

How to give your Fingerprints & Photo?

• If you’re applying for the first time you would have to give your biometrics unless you’re an exemption.
• If you’re applying for a visitor visa, study or work visa and you’ve given your biometrics before, they may still be valid. 

If they are valid and you’re applying for visitor, study or work visas you don’t need to give your biometrics again.

STEPS:

1. Pay the biometrics fee.
2. Get the  biometric instruction letter. 

• After you pay the fee, you’ll get a letter confirming that you need to give your biometrics and will tell you where you can go.
• You’d need to get this letter along when giving your biometrics.
• You’d also need to get your valid passport along.
• How fast you’d get the letter depends on how you apply and when you pay your biometrics fee.

1. Go to an official biometric site.

• You must give your biometrics in person.
• You need to make an appointment to get your biometrics.
• Book your appointment as soon as you get the letter.

How often do you need to give your biometrics & photo?

Visitor visa, Study or Work Permit applicants give their biometrics once every 10 years. You don’t need to give your biometrics until the 10 year period expires.

You won’t need to give your biometrics again if you’ve already given them before and they’re still valid.

What happens when you arrive in Canada?

When you arrive in Canada, your identity will be checked to make sure you’re the same person who was approved to travel to canada.

The way this is done depends on where you enter Canada.

• At 10 major Canadian airports: your fingerprints will be automatically checked at a primary inspection kiosk. The system checks your identity against the information provided.
• At smaller airports and all land ports of entry: your fingerprints may be checked if referred to a secondary inspection, where a border service officer uses a fingerprint variation device to check your fingerprints.

Entry to Canada

Visitor, Student and Worker must pass the identity check and meet the entry requirements to enter Canada.

If you see a border service officer, he may: 

• Stamp your passport.
• Will let you know how long you can stay in Canada (you’re allowed to stay in Canada for up to 6 months).
• Limit/extend your stay in Canada to cover the planned purpose of your stay.

If your passport isn’t stamped or if you used a primary inspection kiosk, you can only stay in Canada:

• For up to 6 months from the day you entered Canada.

OR

• Until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

If you need a stamp, you may ask the border officer. If you arrive at an airport that uses primary inspection kiosks, ask the border services officer after you finish at the kiosk.

Permanent Residents

If you applied for PR outside of Canada and arrive in Canada for the first time, see the entry requirements for your programs to find out more about the process:

• Skilled Immigrants (Express Entry).
• Provincial Nominee.
• Quebec-Selected Workers.
• Start-Up Visa program.
• Sponsoring your spouse, partner or children. 

Sponsoring other eligible relatives.