Starting December 3, 2019, Canada is providing biometrics collection services at designated Service Canada locations.
When applying for permanent residence (PR) within Canada, applicants are now required to provide their biometrics, which includes fingerprints and photo. This also applies to foreign workers, international students, and visa-required visitors, and those who are extending their stay or permits.
For those who have previously provided their biometrics (for visitor visa, work or study permits), there’s no need to provide them again. Biometrics are valid for 10 years for these applicants. For those applying for PR, biometrics is required for every application until they’re approved.
For instructions on what to do when you receive a biometrics instruction letter or for a list of the designated Service Canada locations, please visit the IRCC website.
