During the process of applying for permanent residence under a skilled-worker stream, biometrics for Canadian immigration is a mandatory step that most of you must complete. This involves providing biometric data, including fingerprints and a photograph, so the immigration authority can verify identity and conduct security checks. Many of you are worried because you are not clear on how this procedure works, how much it costs and where it takes place. In the article below, the My Second World team will explain the entire process clearly, to help you prepare your Canadian immigration application fully and on time.
What is biometrics for Canadian immigration?
Biometrics is a set of biological characteristics used to uniquely identify an individual. In the context of an immigration application, biometrics for Canadian immigration consists of two main components: fingerprints of all ten fingers and a digital photograph. This data is collected directly at a designated service point, then stored in the immigration authority’s system to serve identity verification.
The purpose of collecting biometric data is to strengthen border security and prevent identity fraud. When you enter Canada, a border officer can match your fingerprints at the port of entry against the data on file, ensuring that the person entering is indeed the person who submitted the application. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), collecting biometrics helps speed up processing on subsequent applications and protects the applicant from the risk of identity theft.
Unlike some documents you can prepare yourself at home, biometric data must be collected in person at an authorized facility. You cannot take your own photo or ink your own fingerprints and send them by mail. This differs from a police certificate hay a medical exam, which have their own separate processes but are both important verification steps in the application package.
Who needs to provide biometrics when immigrating to Canada?
The rules on who must provide biometrics are applied quite broadly. Understanding clearly whether you fall into this group will help you avoid unnecessary delays. This is one of the points about biometrics for Canadian immigration that causes the most confusion, especially for those who previously provided biometric data for a temporary-residence application.
Under current rules from the immigration authority, people aged 14 to 79 applying for permanent residence must all provide fingerprints and a photo. A point worth noting is that for a permanent residence (PR) application, you must provide biometrics for each application, even if your old data is still within its validity period. This is a major difference from temporary-residence applications, where old data may be reused.
Groups that are exempt or have their own rules include:
- Children under 14 and people aged 80 and over do not need to provide fingerprints and a photo.
- US citizens coming to Canada for temporary-residence purposes are usually exempt (but this rule has exceptions for permanent residence applications).
- People who are already lawful permanent residents of Canada.
- Heads of state and certain special diplomatic persons.
For a family applying for permanent residence under a skilled-worker stream, every member within the required age range must go in person to a collection point. A spouse and dependent children aged 14 or over cannot have someone else go in their place. So, when planning, you need to account for the schedules of all family members in order to meet the deadline stated in the request letter.
How much is the fee for biometrics for Canadian immigration?
Cost is a legitimate concern for many of you when budgeting for the whole journey. The biometrics fee is a separate charge, apart from the processing fee and the right of permanent residence fee (RPRF). Knowing the fee clearly helps you budget more accurately when calculating the total cost of immigrating to Canada.
According to the fee schedule of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the current biometrics fee is as follows:
| Applicant | Fee |
|---|---|
| Individual (1 person) | $85 CAD/person |
| Family applying together (2 or more people) | Maximum $170 CAD |
As such, the cap for a whole family applying at the same time is $170 CAD, equivalent to the fee for two people. If a family has three or more members within the required age range applying together at once, the total fee still does not exceed this cap. This is an advantageous point that helps larger families save on costs.
In most cases, you must pay the biometrics fee at the time you submit your application, before receiving the request letter for providing data. If you have not paid this fee, the system will not issue the instruction letter (Biometric Instruction Letter). The My Second World team notes that fees may be adjusted by the immigration authority from time to time, so you should check the official fee schedule at the time you submit your application rather than relying entirely on a reference figure.
When does the biometrics collection process for Canadian immigration take place?
The timeline for this step is quite clear once you understand the key milestones correctly. A common mistake is missing the deadline stated in the request letter, which can lead to the application being refused or extending the application processing time. Therefore, closely tracking these milestones is very important.
The usual process follows these steps:
- Submit the application and pay the fee: you complete the application online and pay the processing fee together with the biometrics fee of $85 CAD/person.
- Receive the request letter (BIL): After submission, the immigration authority sends the Biometric Instruction Letter (abbreviated as BIL) through your online account or email.
- Book an appointment: You use this letter to book an appointment at the nearest collection point.
- Go in for fingerprints and a photo: Arrive on time for your appointment, bringing the BIL letter and a valid passport.
One important milestone to remember: from the date stated on the BIL letter, you usually have 30 ngày to complete providing your data. You should book your appointment as early as possible, especially if the nearest collection point is far from where you live. Delaying could leave your application in a pending state and slow down the entire review process.
You need to bring a printed copy of the BIL letter (or an electronic copy on your phone, depending on the collection point) and the passport you used to declare in your application. If the information on the passport does not match the application, staff may refuse to collect the data and you will have to rebook your appointment.
Where is biometrics for Canadian immigration done?
The location depends on where you are living at the time you submit your application. There are three main groups of locations, and identifying the correct facility helps you avoid going to the wrong place. This is the most practical part of the biometrics for Canadian immigration process that you need to get right.
- Outside Canada and the United States: you go to a Visa Application Centre (VAC) for Canada. For those of you currently in Vietnam, the VAC is the most common collection point. You book an appointment directly with the VAC once you have the BIL letter.
- Inside Canada: you can go to a Service Canada designated location to provide fingerprints and a photo.
- In the United States: you go to an authorized Application Support Center.
For most of you preparing an application from Vietnam, the destination will be the VAC. You should check the current list of VACs on the official website of the immigration authority to find the address, opening hours and specific booking requirements. Some VACs may require an appointment in advance, while others accept walk-ins, so confirm before you go.
At the collection point, the data collection process usually only takes a few minutes. Staff will take a digital photograph and scan the fingerprints of all ten fingers using an electronic scanner, with no ink involved. Once done, you receive a receipt confirming that you have provided your biometrics. You should keep this receipt in case you need to refer to it later.
How long is biometrics for Canadian immigration valid?
A very common question is how long biometric data remains valid. Understanding this correctly helps you avoid confusing the rules for temporary-residence applications with those for permanent-residence applications. This is also one of the points most likely to be misunderstood about biometrics for Canadian immigration.
Theo Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), biometric data has a validity period of 10 years from the date you provide it. During this period, if you submit temporary-residence applications such as a visitor visa, study permit or work permit, your old data will automatically be linked to the new application and you will not need to provide it again.
However, for permanent residenceapplications, the rule differs significantly. As noted earlier, you must resubmit your fingerprints and photo for each permanent residence application, even if your previous data has not yet reached the 10-year expiry. So even if you gave biometrics for a visitor visa a few years ago, when you file a PR application under a skilled-worker stream, you still have to do it again from scratch.
In addition, the immigration authority notes that it cannot issue a visa or permit valid for longer than the remaining validity of your biometric data. In other words, if your data has only a few years of validity left, the temporary status granted will not exceed the 10-year mark from your last submission. This rule mainly affects temporary-residence applications rather than permanent-residence ones.
Key points to avoid mistakes
Although this is a relatively simple step, small errors can still delay the process. The My Second World team has compiled some practical tips for you to keep in mind when carrying out this step in your skilled-worker immigration pathway.
- Pay the fee before waiting for the BIL letter: The biometrics fee is usually collected at the same time you submit your application. If it is not paid, you will not receive the instruction letter.
- Complete it within the 30-day deadline: Do not wait until the last minute to book, as collection points may be fully booked or far away.
- Bring the correct passport: The passport you bring must match the one declared in your application.
- Every family member of age must attend in person: Fingerprints cannot be given on someone else’s behalf.
- Keep the receipt: Keep the receipt confirming that you provided your data, for reference if needed.
If your application is refused this time and you plan to reapply later, you will normally still need to resubmit biometrics for the new permanent-residence application, since each PR application requires its own data. Meanwhile, for a temporary-residence application, data within the 10-year window can still be reused. Understanding this distinction helps you avoid paying twice or missing a required step.
Summary
Biometrics is a small but mandatory link in the whole immigration journey. In summary, biometrics for Canadian immigration it covers fingerprints and a photo, applies to people aged 14 to 79, costs $85 CAD per person and up to $170 CAD for a family applying together. You complete it at a VAC (if you are in Vietnam) within 30 days of receiving the BIL letter, and although the data is valid for 10 years, a permanent-residence application still requires it to be resubmitted for each filing.
Mastering every small detail like this step will help you avoid delays and prepare mentally for the whole process. If you need specific guidance on the order of steps, how to read the BIL letter, or how to plan biometrics for the whole family, My Second World’s immigration consulting team is always ready to accompany you on the journey to building a new life in Canada.
