Biometrics screening

The Government of Canada has expanded the collection of biometric information (fingerprints and digital photographs) to include all temporary resident visa, work permit, study permit, and temporary resident permit applicants (excluding U.S. nationals), and all Permanent Resident applicants.

Applicants from Europe, Africa and the Middle East became subject to the biometric enrolment requirements effective July 31, 2018. Applicants from Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas became subject to the same requirements starting December 31, 2018.

As part of the permit issuance process, Border Services Officers (BSOs) will biometrically enrol travellers who are eligible to make an application at a Port of Entry (POE) for a:

• Work permit,
• Study permit, or
• Temporary resident permit

Who is exempt?

• Children under the age of 14;
• Applicants over the age of 79;
• Diplomats and officials travelling on official business;
• U.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 a valid biometric enrolment on file.

U.S. National Work, Study or Temporary Resident Permit Applicants

U.S. nationals are exempted from biometrics collection when applying for a work permit, study permit, or temporary resident permit.

What about Canadian citizens or citizenship applicants?

Biometrics will not be collected from Canadian citizens or citizenship applicants.

How does biometrics verification work?

The verification process will depend on your point of entry into Canada.

• Major airports:
  At Canadian airports, travellers will undergo identity verification at a Primary Inspection Kiosk by having their fingerprints verified against those collected at the application stage to ensure that the person seeking entry is the same person who was granted a visa or a permit to travel to Canada.
• Land ports:
  BSOs will have the capability to verify fingerprints when travellers are referred to immigration secondary for inspection.

Biometrics Fees

A fee of $85 CAD is payable per person for biometric enrolment. Families applying together will only pay a maximum biometric fee of up to $170 CAD.

There is no fee for biometric verification.

Where to find biometrics enrolment services

The CBSA provides biometrics enrolment services at the following Ports of Entry for travellers who are eligible to make an application while seeking entry to Canada:

Frequently asked questions

Learn more:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/transparency/access-information-privacy/info-source/personal-information-banks.html

Date modified:

2020-08-12