Biometrics for Canada Immigration: What You Need to Know

Biometrics — fingerprints and a digital photograph — are required for most Canadian immigration applications. Understanding when you need to give biometrics, where to go, and how long clearance takes helps you avoid delays in your application.

Since December 2018, Canada has required biometric collection as a standard security measure for most temporary and permanent residence applications. This requirement helps Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) verify identities, prevent fraud, and enhance border security. In 2024 and 2025, biometrics have become a routine part of the immigration process, with over 2 million sets of biometrics collected annually from applicants worldwide.

The biometrics process is straightforward, but many applicants have questions about timing, locations, fees, and what happens after collection. This guide provides comprehensive, up-to-date information to help you navigate the biometrics requirement smoothly and avoid common pitfalls that can delay your Canadian immigration application.

Who Needs to Give Biometrics?

Most foreign nationals applying for a Canadian visa, work permit, study permit, or permanent residence must provide biometrics. The requirement applies to applicants between the ages of 14 and 79. Citizens of the United States are exempt. Canadian citizens are exempt. Applicants who gave biometrics within the last 10 years for a Canadian application do not need to give them again — the same biometric record is reused. Confirm whether your biometrics are still valid before scheduling a new appointment.

The biometrics requirement covers a wide range of immigration categories. Temporary resident visa applicants, including tourists, business visitors, and those visiting family, must provide biometrics. Work permit applicants, whether applying under the International Mobility Program or the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, are required to give biometrics. Study permit applicants at all levels — from language schools to doctoral programs — must also comply with this requirement.

For permanent residence applications, biometrics are mandatory for principal applicants and their accompanying family members. This includes all economic immigration streams such as Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades), Provincial Nominee Programs, Quebec-selected skilled workers, and business immigration programs. Family sponsorship applicants being sponsored as spouses, partners, dependent children, parents, or grandparents must also provide biometrics. Refugee claimants and protected persons applying for permanent residence are subject to the same requirement.

Certain groups are exempt beyond U.S. and Canadian citizens. These include heads of state and government, cabinet ministers, and diplomats on official business. Refugee claimants who have already provided biometrics as part of their claim do not need to provide them again when applying for permanent residence if their biometrics are still within the 10-year validity period. Children under 14 and adults 80 years of age or older are exempt from the requirement.

When to Give Biometrics

After submitting your immigration application online, IRCC sends you a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) if you need to give biometrics. You typically cannot give biometrics before receiving this letter — attempting to do so before applying will result in your biometrics not being linked to your application. Once you receive the BIL, you have 30 days to give your biometrics (some applications allow 60 days — check your specific letter). Giving biometrics promptly after receiving the BIL avoids unnecessary processing delays.

The BIL is sent to your IRCC online account or by email, depending on how you submitted your application. The letter contains critical information including your Unique Client Identifier (UCI), application number, and specific instructions for biometric collection. You must bring a printed or digital copy of this letter to your biometrics appointment — collection sites will not accept your biometrics without it.

Timing is important for several reasons. First, IRCC cannot complete the processing of your application until your biometrics are received and cleared. In 2025, with processing times under scrutiny, any delay in providing biometrics directly extends your overall application timeline. Second, if you miss the 30-day deadline stated in your BIL, your application may be refused or returned as incomplete. While IRCC may grant extensions in exceptional circumstances (such as medical emergencies or natural disasters), these are not automatic and require formal requests with supporting documentation.

For applicants outside Canada, additional planning may be necessary. In countries with limited VAC locations or high demand, appointment availability can be constrained. Applicants in remote areas may need to travel significant distances to reach the nearest collection point. In such cases, begin researching locations and booking appointments immediately upon receiving your BIL to ensure you meet the deadline.

Biometrics for Family Applications

When families apply together, each family member aged 14 to 79 must provide biometrics individually. However, you can give biometrics at the same location on the same day. The BIL will list all family members who need to provide biometrics. At Service Canada locations, families can typically walk in together. At VACs abroad, you may need to book appointments for all family members — some VACs allow group bookings, while others require individual appointments scheduled consecutively.

Where to Give Biometrics

In Canada, biometrics are collected at Service Canada locations with biometric collection equipment — currently over 145 locations across the country. Outside Canada, biometrics are collected at Canadian Visa Application Centers (VACs) operated by contractors like VFS Global or BLS International, or at Canadian embassies and consulates in certain countries. Use IRCC's biometrics location finder on their website to find the nearest collection point. No appointment is needed at most Service Canada locations in Canada — walk-in service is available. VACs abroad may require an appointment — book early.

Service Canada locations offering biometric collection are distributed across all provinces and territories, including major cities and many smaller communities. In Ontario, locations include Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, Hamilton, London, and dozens of other cities. In British Columbia, collection points are available in Vancouver, Surrey, Victoria, Kelowna, and throughout the province. Quebec has locations in Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau, and other centers. Even smaller provinces and territories have multiple collection points — for example, Nova Scotia has locations in Halifax, Dartmouth, Sydney, and Truro.

Service Canada biometric collection operates on a walk-in basis during regular business hours, typically Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, though hours vary by location. Wait times can vary significantly depending on location and time of day. Urban locations during lunch hours and late afternoons tend to be busiest. Arriving early in the morning or mid-afternoon on weekdays generally results in shorter wait times. Some applicants report wait times of 15-30 minutes, while others during peak periods may wait 60-90 minutes.

Outside Canada, the VAC network spans over 140 countries with more than 600 collection points worldwide. Major centers include VACs in London, Paris, Dubai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Beijing, Shanghai, Manila, Lagos, Nairobi, Mexico City, and São Paulo. In countries with large applicant volumes, multiple VACs may operate in different cities. For example, India has VACs in over a dozen cities including Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata.

VAC procedures differ from Service Canada locations. Most VACs require appointments booked through their online systems or by phone. Appointment availability varies — in high-demand locations during peak seasons (such as summer for study permits), appointments may be booked several weeks in advance. VACs also charge service fees beyond the IRCC biometrics fee. These service fees vary by country and VAC operator, typically ranging from $20 to $60 CAD equivalent in local currency. These fees are paid directly to the VAC, not to IRCC.

What to Bring to Your Biometrics Appointment

You must bring your Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) — either printed or displayed on a mobile device. You must also bring valid identification. Acceptable identification includes your passport, national identity card, or other government-issued photo ID. The name on your identification must match the name on your application and BIL. If you are giving biometrics in Canada on a visitor visa, work permit, or study permit, bring your immigration document as well.

At the collection point, staff will verify your identity, scan your BIL, and collect your fingerprints (all ten fingers) and digital photograph. The process typically takes 10-15 minutes once you reach the collection station. Fingerprints are captured using digital scanners — no ink is involved. The photograph is taken against a neutral background with specific requirements similar to passport photos (neutral expression, no glasses unless medically required, no head coverings unless for religious reasons).

Fees

The biometrics fee is $85 CAD for a single applicant. For a family applying together, the maximum family fee is $170 CAD — families of more than two people pay the same flat rate as two individuals. Biometrics fees are paid when you submit your application online (they are included in the application fee total). If you are already giving biometrics for a visitor application and later apply for immigration, you may not need to pay again if your biometrics are still valid.

The fee structure is designed to reduce costs for families. A couple applying together pays $170 CAD total. A family of three, four, five, or more also pays only $170 CAD total, provided they apply together in the same application. This represents significant savings for larger families compared to individual fees.

Payment is made online through the IRCC payment system when you submit your application. Accepted payment methods include credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), debit cards (Visa Debit, Debit MasterCard), and prepaid cards in some cases. The payment receipt is linked to your application automatically. You do not pay the biometrics fee at the collection point — it must be paid in advance as part of your application submission.

If you paid the biometrics fee but are later determined to be exempt (for example, if IRCC determines your previous biometrics are still valid), you can request a refund through the IRCC refund request process. Refunds are not automatic — you must submit a formal request with supporting documentation. Processing of refund requests typically takes 8 to 12 weeks.

Processing After Giving Biometrics

After giving your fingerprints and photo, IRCC processes the biometric check — typically within 24 to 72 hours for most applicants. The results are linked to your application automatically; you do not need to send anything to IRCC after giving biometrics. If your biometrics check reveals a concern (unusual, but possible if fingerprints match a criminal database record), IRCC will contact you through your application account. For the vast majority of applicants, biometrics processing is seamless and quick.

The biometric information is checked against Canadian and international databases to verify identity and check for security concerns. IRCC uses biometrics to ensure the person applying is the same person who appears for visa issuance or at the border. Fingerprints are also checked against law enforcement databases to identify any criminal history that may affect admissibility to Canada.

You can track your application status through your IRCC online account. Once biometrics are collected, the status typically updates within 24-48 hours to show "We received your fingerprints and photo" or similar wording. This confirmation indicates IRCC has successfully received and linked your biometrics to your application. If you do not see this update within 5 business days of giving biometrics, contact IRCC through the web form to ensure your biometrics were properly linked.

In rare cases, biometric collection may need to be repeated. This can occur if fingerprints are unclear or if there are technical issues with the initial collection. If this happens, IRCC will send you a new BIL with instructions to provide biometrics again. There is no additional fee for re-collection in these circumstances.

Biometrics and PR Applications

For permanent residence applications submitted through Express Entry, biometrics requirements depend on your last biometric collection date. If your last Canadian immigration biometrics were collected within the past 10 years, they remain valid for your PR application. If not, you will receive a BIL after submitting your PR application. Giving biometrics quickly after receiving the BIL is one of the simple things within your control that can speed up overall processing.

Express Entry applicants who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) should check their biometrics status before submitting their permanent residence application. If your biometrics are expiring soon (within a few months of your expected application submission), it may be strategic to wait until they expire and provide new biometrics as part of your PR application, ensuring they remain valid for the full 10-year period after you receive permanent residence.

For Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants, biometrics are required at the federal stage after receiving a provincial nomination. The provincial nomination process itself does not require biometrics, but once you submit your federal PR application to IRCC, you will receive a BIL if you need to provide biometrics or if your existing biometrics have expired.

Family sponsorship applicants being sponsored for permanent residence must provide biometrics as part of their application. Sponsors who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents do not need to provide biometrics. However, the sponsored person (spouse, partner, dependent child, parent, or grandparent) must provide biometrics if they are between 14 and 79 years of age and have not provided valid biometrics within the past 10 years.

Biometrics Validity and Future Applications

Once you provide biometrics for a Canadian immigration application, they remain valid for 10 years. During this period, you can submit multiple applications without needing to provide biometrics again. For example, if you provided biometrics for a study permit in 2023, those same biometrics are valid for a work permit application in 2025, a visitor visa in 2027, and a permanent residence application in 2030, provided all applications are submitted before the 10-year expiry date.

This 10-year validity period is particularly beneficial for temporary residents who transition to permanent residence. International students who provided biometrics for their study permit can use the same biometrics when applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit and later for permanent residence through Express Entry or PNP, provided the 10-year period has not elapsed.

Common Issues and How to Avoid Them

Several common issues can cause delays or complications with biometrics. Being aware of these helps you avoid problems. One frequent issue is missing the 30-day deadline to provide biometrics after receiving the BIL. Set a reminder immediately upon receiving your BIL and prioritize giving biometrics as soon as possible. Do not wait until the last few days, as unexpected circumstances (illness, VAC closures, travel delays) could prevent you from meeting the deadline.

Another common problem is biometrics not being linked to the application. This usually occurs when applicants provide biometrics before receiving a BIL or when there are discrepancies in personal information. Always wait for the BIL before giving biometrics. Ensure the name and date of birth on your identification exactly match the information in your application and on your BIL. Even minor spelling differences can cause linking issues.

Technical issues with fingerprint collection can occur, particularly for individuals with worn fingerprints due to age, occupation (manual labor, frequent use of chemicals), or medical conditions. If you have difficulty with fingerprint collection, inform the collection staff immediately. They may try alternative collection methods or provide documentation explaining the issue, which you can submit to IRCC.

For applicants outside Canada, VAC closures due to local holidays, emergencies, or other reasons can disrupt plans. Check the VAC website for operating hours and holiday closures before planning your appointment. If a VAC closure will prevent you from meeting your BIL deadline, contact IRCC immediately through the web form to request an extension, providing evidence of the closure.

Biometrics and Privacy

IRCC takes the privacy and security of biometric information seriously. Biometric data is stored securely in Canadian government databases and is protected under the Privacy Act. The information is used solely for immigration and border control purposes. It is not shared with other countries except in specific circumstances related to security screening under information-sharing agreements with trusted partners.

Your biometric information is retained for 10 years from the date of collection, after which it is deleted from IRCC systems unless you have become a Canadian permanent resident or citizen, in which case it may be retained longer for border control purposes. You have the right to request access to your biometric information held by IRCC under the Privacy Act.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I give biometrics before submitting my application?

No, you cannot give biometrics before submitting your application and receiving a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL). The BIL contains specific information that links your biometrics to your application. If you provide biometrics before receiving a BIL, they will not be linked to your application, and you will need to provide them again after receiving the BIL. Always wait until you receive the BIL before scheduling or attending a biometrics appointment.

What happens if I miss the 30-day deadline to give biometrics?

If you miss the 30-day deadline stated in your Biometrics Instruction Letter, your application may be refused or closed as incomplete. IRCC may grant extensions in exceptional circumstances such as medical emergencies, natural disasters, or situations beyond your control. If you anticipate missing the deadline, contact IRCC immediately through the web form to explain your situation and request an extension. Provide supporting documentation such as medical certificates, evidence of VAC closures, or other relevant proof. Extensions are not guaranteed and are granted at IRCC's discretion.

Do I need to provide biometrics again if I renew my work permit or study permit?

If you provided biometrics within the last 10 years for a previous Canadian immigration application, you do not need to provide them again when renewing your work permit or study permit. Your existing biometrics remain valid for 10 years from the date of collection and will be automatically linked to your new application. You will not receive a Biometrics Instruction Letter and will not be charged the biometrics fee if your existing biometrics are still valid. However, if your biometrics are older than 10 years or if you never provided biometrics for a Canadian application, you will need to provide them with your renewal application.