Canada’s Visa Applicants Biometric Expansion means everyone interested in applying for a visitor visa, work or study permit, a permanent residence visa or claiming refugee/asylum status will need to review whether or not they are required to submit biometrics (fingerprints and a photo). According to Government of Canada, it will be expanding its worldwide network of VACs to accommodate the biometrics program Check all necessary Requirements below:
This article is to create awareness for those who are interested in getting Canada Visa via online or in person, at the end of this post you will know the needful you must do before getting a successful approved Visa Application.
The collection of biometrics identification (fingerprints and a facial recognition photo) is considered an efficient tool for correctly identifying individuals. Biometrics collection enables the Government of Canada to facilitate application processing and simplify entry into Canada for low-risk travellers.
Biometrics Collection at Visa Application Centres
Individuals submitting an application outside Canada for the first time will need to submit their biometrics at a Government of Canada-authorized Visa Application Centre (VAC). To find the VAC that is nearest to you.
Visa-exempt Visitors to Canada
Travellers from visa-exempt countries who are coming to Canada as tourists with a valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) will not be required to provide biometrics.
Biometrics for Permanent Residence Applications
Government of Canada says anyone applying for permanent residence will need to give their biometrics and pay the fee regardless of whether they have provided biometrics in the past to support a visitor visa, study or work permit application or a different application for permanent residence.
Steps guides on how you can reduce Canada’s Visa delays
- Applicants should not mail in application. Either apply online or in person at a Visa Application Centre
- Pay both the application fee and the biometrics fee when you submit your application
- Give your biometrics at the same time as you apply at a Visa Application Centre, or within a few days of getting your Biometric Instruction Letter
- Consider travel time when planning if you need to travel to visit a VAC or Application Support Center (ASC, if applying from the United States) to provide your biometrics.
- If you can, make sure all family members who are applying for a visa go to the same VAC or ASC at the same time to give biometrics
- If you have a temporary injury or decoration (such as henna) on your face or hands, wait until the injury has healed or the decoration has faded completely before you give your biometrics
- If you have a permanent injury or condition on your face or hands, go to a VAC or ASC to have your photograph and any available fingerprints taken. A permanent injury or medical condition is one that will not heal or improve over time. Bring any documentation you have about your condition.
- For those applicants about to reach your 80th birthday, please note that VACs cannot collect biometrics from applicants 80 years of age and over. If you are 79 years old when you submit your application, but you turn 80 years old before you give your biometrics, you must contact your Canadian visa office to make arrangements to have your biometrics collected there. If you are in the United States, you can still give your biometrics at the nearest US Application Support Centre
Please note the following:
- You only need to give your biometrics once every 10 years. You don’t need to give your biometrics until the 10-year period expires
- The Government of Canada says fingerprints are encrypted and sent electronically through a secure internal system to the Canadian Immigration Biometrics Identification System. Once data is successfully sent to the system, personal information is deleted from the database
- The Government of Canada applies an additional fee for biometrics screening and processing, which depends on whether applicants are applying as individuals, with family members or as a group.
- The Government of Canada asks that applicants give their biometrics to help visa officer verify the identity of applicants. Those approved for a multiple-entry visa will only be required to submit their biometrics once at initial application submission and if an application is made after the 10-year validity period.
- No. Individuals holding a valid visitor visa will not be required to give their biometrics until the next time they apply.
Get all information here via https://www.canadavisa.com/visiting-canada-biometrics.html#gs.Y4ttepUJ
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