Fingerprint verification at Primary Inspection Kiosks now available at Vancouver International Airport

March 4, 2019     Vancouver, British Columbia     Canada Border Services Agency / Vancouver Airport Authority

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Vancouver Airport Authority are pleased to announce the implementation of fingerprint verification for biometrically enrolled foreign nationals and permanent residents using Primary Inspection Kiosks at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

The Government of Canada is now using fingerprint verification technology through its Primary Inspection Kiosks to establish that a person seeking entry into Canada is the same person that was issued their visa, permit or permanent residence documentation. This will prevent individuals from using a stolen, borrowed, or altered visa or permit on their attempt to enter Canada.

Canadian citizens and citizenship applicants are not required to provide biometrics and are therefore not required to complete fingerprint verification while seeking entry to Canada.

Biometric enrollment became a requirement for new visa and permit applicants from Europe, Africa and the Middle East effective July 31, 2018; while applicants from Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas became subject to the same requirements starting December 31, 2018.

All temporary resident visa, work permit, study permit, and temporary resident permit applicants (excluding U.S. Citizens) and all permanent resident applicants are required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and digital photograph) when submitting an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or to the CBSA.

Fingerprint verification with Primary Inspection Kiosks will be phased-in at all major Canadian airports throughout 2019, with the first in Canada being implemented at YVR on January 29, 2019.

Biometric-enabled Primary Inspection Kiosks are next generation technology that offer self-service options for international air travellers arriving in Canada.

The 151 Primary Inspection Kiosks at YVR strengthen border security and simplify the border experience.