Canada Visa Biometric Appointment
- August 02,2023
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When applying for a Canadian Visa, you must get a Canada Visa Biometric Appointment so that the IRCC can further process your visa application. In this article, let's have a look on how to get a Canada Visa Biometric Appointment at an official biometric collection site and the reasons why we should provide biometrics to the Canadian government.
What is Canada Visa Biometric Appointment?
When applying for a Canadian visa, the applicants must provide their biometric data and photo capture. A visa applicant's fingers are scanned in a quick, inkless process that will then be securely stored in the government’s system.
What is Canada Visa Biometric used for?
Canada Visa Biometric Appointment is used for security and identification purposes. To protect the nation and Canadian citizens from potential risk or attack, all visa applicants will be asked to provide their biometrics to compare it with the security database to identify applicants that might pose a national threat, such as applicants involved in criminal activity, terrorism, sex, and human trafficking.
Furthermore, the biometric data will facilitate entry when you land at the airport, where you must scan your fingerprints for identity confirmation. Fingerprints are unique for each individual. Therefore, it will help to make it more difficult for someone to forge, steal or use your identity.
Canada Visa Biometric Appointment
Who needs to give biometrics when applying for Canada Visa?
The majority of applicants fall under these categories need to give Canada Visa Biometric Appointment:
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Visitor Visa
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Work Permit or Study Permit
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Permanent Residence
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Refugee and asylum status
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Visitor record extension
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Work or Study Permit Extension
Who is exempt from Canada Visa Biometric Appointment?
There are some exemptions in Canada Visa Biometric Appointment. If applicants fall under the below categories, they do not need to provide biometric and photo capture to the Canadian government:
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Canadian citizens, citizenship applicants (including passport applicants), or existing PR
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visa-exempt nationals coming to Canada for traveling/visiting purposes only
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Applicants under the age of 14 or applicants over the age of 79
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heads of state and heads of government
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applicants who qualify for or hold a diplomatic or official visa
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U.S. visa holders transiting through Canada
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refugee claimants or protected persons who have already provided biometrics and are applying for a study or work permit
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Temporary resident applicants who have already provided biometrics in support of a permanent resident application that is still in progress
Steps to Book Canada Visa Biometric Appointment
Step 1: Pay the Biometric Collection Fee
You must pay a biometric collection fee when you submit your application, or your application will not be processed.
The Canada Visa, Biometric Appointment fee, is as follows:
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Individual applicant: CAD $85
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Families applying at the same time: a maximum total fee of CAD $170
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Groups of 3 or more performing artists and their staff who apply for work permits at the same time: a maximum total fee of $CAD 255
Step 2: Receive the Biometric Instruction Letter
After paying the Canada Visa Biometric Appointment fee, you will receive a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL). The processing time to get BLI depends on several factors.
If you apply online:
For study permits, work permits and visitor visa
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You pay the biometric fee at the same time with your application submission, you will get the BIL within one day
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You pay the biometric fee after you submit the application, you will get the BIL in the next several days
For Permanent Resident application
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You pay the biometric fee at the same time with your application submission, you will get the BIL within several days or several weeks.
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You pay the biometric fee after you submit the visa application, you will get the BIl several weeks later.
If you apply by mail:
For study permits, work permits, and visitor visa
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You pay the biometric fee at the same time with your application submission, you will get the BIL within several weeks by mail
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You pay the biometric fee after you submit the application, you will get the BIL by mail within several weeks
For Permanent Resident application
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You pay the biometric fee at the same time with your application submission, and you will get the BIL within several days or several weeks by mail
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You pay the biometric fee after you submit the visa application, and you will get the BIl several weeks later by mail
If you apply at the Visa Application Center (VAC):
If you apply for your paper visa application in person at VAC:
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You need to book an appointment at your chosen VAC before visiting
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You will give your biometric at the same time with your application
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You do not need a BIL
If you submit your application online at VAC:
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If you pay the biometric fee at the same time with your application submission, you will get the BIL in your online account portal within 24 hours. You must book an appointment before giving the biometric at VAC
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If you pay the biometric fee after you apply, you will get the BIL within several days in your online account portal. You must book an appointment before giving the biometric at VAC.
Biometric Invitation Letter
Step 3: Visit an official biometric collection center
You must visit the biometric collection center authorized by the IRCC to give your biometrics in person. You will then be taken a photo of yourself alongside your Canada Visa Biometric Appointment.
How long does my biometric be valid?
If you apply for a visitor visa, work, or study permit, you only need to give your biometrics once every ten years. This means that in the ten years from the day you first provide biometrics, you do not need to get your fingerprints collected even if you apply for a new visa application.
Click here to check if your biometric is still valid for use.
What happens when I arrive in Canada?
When you arrive in Canada, your biometric and photo capture will be used to check your identity.
If you land at ten major Canadian airports:
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You will be asked to scan your ten fingerprints and take photos at an automated primary inspection kiosk before meeting with the Immigration officers.
If you land at smaller airports and all land entries:
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You will only be asked to give your fingerprints if the officers require you to do a secondary inspection
Primary Inspection Kiosk
