Canada – Biometrics Expanded to More Nationalities
July 24, 2018
Starting July 31, 2018, the requirements of biometrics will expand to include citizens of Europe, the Middle East, or Africa. Applicants applying for a visitor visa, study or work permit, or permanent residence may now need to give their fingerprints and photos.
Beginning December 31, 2018, applicants from Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas will be required to submit biometrics.
Biometrics will only be required once every 10 years.
Exceptions apply to the following:
- Canadian citizens or existing permanent residents;
- visa-exempt nationals entering Canada as tourists who hold a valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA);
- children under the age of 14;
- applicants over the age of 79;
- heads of state and heads of government;
- cabinet ministers and accredited diplomats of other countries and the United Nations, coming to Canada on official business;
- S. visa holders transiting through Canada;
- refugee claimants or protected persons who have already provided biometrics and are applying for a study or work permit; and
- temporary resident applicants who have already provided biometrics in support of a permanent resident application that is still in progress.
The processing fee of the biometrics is 85 CAD, and if applying as family together allows a maximum total fee of 170 CAD.