Biometrics for Canadian immigration

Overview

Biometrics for Canadian immigration

Biometrics are fingerprints and a photograph collected at an authorized location. Permanent residence applicants generally give them for every new PR application, even when earlier biometrics remain valid for temporary residence.

Pay first and wait for the instruction letter

Applicants normally pay the biometric fee with the application. IRCC then issues a biometric instruction letter after the application reaches the relevant stage.

Do not visit a collection point without the required letter and appointment where one is needed.

Permanent residence collection is application-specific

PR applicants aged 14 to 79 generally give biometrics for every permanent residence application. Previous temporary or PR biometrics do not remove that requirement unless a listed special case applies.

PR card and permanent resident travel document applications generally do not require new biometrics, subject to the specific PR-card age exception described by IRCC.

The deadline is in the letter

Express Entry applicants currently receive 30 days from the instruction letter. Other applications should follow the exact date in their account.

Book promptly, keep the collection receipt and use IRCC’s process if no collection site is reasonably accessible before the deadline.

Biometrics do not decide the application

The collection supports identity and background screening. It does not replace police certificates, a medical exam or application evidence.

Keep names and dates consistent with the passport and application, and report a new passport through the correct channel.