Importance of Biometric Requirements for Canadian Visa Applications

Both the application process and entry into Canada involve the usage of biometrics. Visa officers can use biometrics to check applicants for past criminal convictions or violations of Canadian immigration laws. When a visitor enters Canada, biometrics are also utilized to verify that person’s identification. If you are interested in applying for Canada immigration for an Indian, make a biometric appointment for a Canada visa today!

Eight major Canadian airports will have self-serve Primary Inspection Kiosks where travelers can submit an on-screen declaration and confirm their fingerprints and photos.

At land border crossing points and other Canadian airports, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) agents may, at their discretion, verify travelers’ fingerprints.

Most persons are required to provide biometrics for Canada when they apply for a visitor visa, a study or work permit, or permanent residence.

What is Biometrics for Visa?

Your visa application’s biometrics comprises your digital photo and electronic fingerprints. Your biometric data is stored safely in a database run by the Government.

Biometrics for Canada are used by visa officers to verify your identification. Additionally, biometrics aids in resolving issues or mistakes that may arise if your name, date of birth, and/or place of birth are similar to those of another person and helps to prove your identification the next time you apply, making it simpler for you to re-enter Canada. Book an appointment for a biometric appointment for a Canada visa. Want to know more about what is biometrics for a visa? Schedule an appointment with a visa expert today.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will compare your fingerprints to those of people who have committed crimes, applied for asylum, been deported, or applied for temporary residency. A visa officer will evaluate any matches to records already in existence before making a decision on your application.

Who Needs to Give Biometrics?

In general, you must submit biometric for Canada if you’re applying for:

• a visitor’s visa
• a work or study permit
• permanent residence
• refugee or asylum status
• an extension of your stay in Canada
• a work or study permit extension

*Note: If you gave biometrics in the last 10 years for a visitor visa, work permit, or study permit and they’re still valid, you don’t have to provide them again if you’re applying to visit, work, or study. 

To see if your biometrics are still valid (or book a biometric appointment for Canada), you can use the Government of Canada’s Check Status tool.

How to Submit Your Biometric Requirements?

When you submit your visa application, you must pay the biometrics fee ($85 CAD for an individual applicant) as the first step of your Canadian immigration for an Indian process. This will guarantee that you receive your instruction letter, confirming a biometric appointment for Canada and enabling you to provide your biometrics at a location designated for collection.

After receiving your instruction letter, you must schedule a Canada biometric appointment to provide your biometrics at a collection service site. Your fingerprints and photo must be submitted before your application may be completed.

Some pointers for getting fingerprints or snapping pics:

• Ensure that your entire face is visible in the photograph (especially if wear religious headgear)
• Avoid wearing anything white or bright
• Avoid applying henna on your hands
• Make sure that any scratches, bruises, or cracks on your fingers have healed

Processing Time: Canada Biometric Appointment

How you apply and when you pay for your biometrics will affect how quickly you receive your instruction letter. For more details on the application method of Canada immigration for Indians, visit the Government of Canada website.

Keep in mind that the time taken to provide your biometrics is not accounted for when calculating the processing time for your visa application. To start processing your application, visa officials must first acquire your fingerprints and photo.

How to Avoid Application Delays?

• Don’t send your application by mail. Instead, apply at a Visa Application Center in person or online.
• When submitting your application, including payment for the biometrics fee.
• Provide your biometrics simultaneously with your application at a Visa Application Center or as soon as you receive your Biometric Instruction Letter.
• If traveling is necessary to reach your nearest Visa Application Center, take it into account.
• If you have a permanent injury or medical condition on your hands or face, bring any relevant papers with you to your appointment at the Visa Application Center.

Where to Provide Your Biometrics

Outside Canada

When applying for a visa from outside Canada, you can submit your biometrics at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) designated by the Government of Canada. An applicant can submit their biometrics at one of the 137 Canada biometric appointment VACs in 95 different countries.

A printed copy of the Biometrics Instruction Letter must be carried by you when you visit the local VAC. This letter is available from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

Inside Canada

You can provide your biometric data at specific Service Canada sites if you are submitting an application in person while in Canada. You can provide your biometrics at these Canadian ports of entry if you are qualified to apply there as an international student or temporary worker.

What Is the Validity of Biometrics?

A visiting visa or work/study permit application only requires you to provide your biometrics once every ten years. However, you will have to update your biometrics if you subsequently reapply after having your application denied.

Whether you previously gave your biometrics to support an application for a guest visa, study or work permit, or a different application for permanent residence, the IRCC states that you must supply your biometrics and pay the fee if you are applying for permanent residence.

Privacy of Your Biometric Information

According to the IRCC, fingerprints are electronically encrypted and submitted to the secure Canadian Immigration Biometrics Identification System of the Canadian government. 

The fingerprints of applicants will be compared to criminal, refugee, deportation, and temporary resident fingerprint data by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The visa officer handling the application will examine any matches to current RCMP records and utilize the data to come at a judgment.

Canada exchanges biometric data with the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. According to the IRCC, this is done in conformity with Canada’s obligations to civil liberties, human rights, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as privacy regulations.

After you submit your fingerprints, the Canadian government keeps a record of them for 15 years. After this period, or if the applicant is awarded Canadian citizenship, they are removed.

Exemptions to Providing Biometrics

According to IRCC, the following are exempt from providing biometric data:

• Children under the age of 14
• Applicants above the age of 79 (there is no upper age exemption for asylum claimants);
• Heads of State and Government; 
• Canadian citizens, citizenship applicants (including passport applicants), or current permanent residents.
• Canadian Government Cabinet Ministers, Accredited Diplomats from other nations, and representatives of the UN traveling to Canada on official business
• U.S. visa holders transiting through Canada
• Refugee claimants or protected individuals who have already provided biometrics and are applying for a study or work permit.
• Temporary Resident Applicants who have already provided biometrics in support of an application for permanent residency that is still pending.

To Conclude

We really hope that the information in this post was helpful to you. What is Biometrics for Visa? This concept should be clearly understood by you before you start the process. Should you require additional details or support with your visa application, don’t hesitate to Contact us.